CYCLING: Macclesfield Wheelers’ Colin Lynch continues to lead the inaugural UCI Para Cycling World Cup series after the second round in Sergovia, Spain.

Riding for Ireland, Lynch finished second in the time trial, missing out on gold by 0.4 seconds but beating the reigning world champion by seven seconds.

A broken spoke in the road race meant that Lynch missed out on a further medal but the result kept him in the overall leader’s jersey and means the final World Cup event in Canada next month will be decisive.

Lynch is currently raising money to finance his trip to Canada and early next month will be travelling to Ireland to attend a seminar for the Irish squad, given by three-time Tour de France winner Greg Lemond.

Lynch’s recent form makes him one of the favourite for the Paracycling World Championships, to be held in Denmark in September and keeps him firmly on track to represent Ireland at next year’s Paralympics.

To make a donation to the fund and help him to world glory, visit www.mycharity.ie/event/colin_lynchs_event/

Lynch demonstrated his good form when he secured another personal best of 23.19 in the Club 10-mile event on Wednesday night. That time was good enough to give him fifth overall in the event behind Ian Brady, who marked his first outing as a Wheeler with a win in 22.01, Chris Quin’s 22.07 was also a personal best, Andy Godwin clocked 22.29 and, Matt Duck’s 22.42 was also a PB. Further down the field, Bill Renard extended his lead in the handicap competition with 24.13, and rapidly improving Wendy Potts slashed nearly a minute off her previous fastest with 26.48.

Lynn Skellern and Carle Sherrin both turned in strong performances in the Manchester and District Ladies 25-mile event on the Chelford course. Skellern recorded 1:10.23 with Sherrin just 11 seconds behind her to record a personal best for the course.

The Wheelers just lost out to Seamons CC in the team competition.

In the accompanying men’s event on the same course, Roger Wrenn came second in the veteran’s category with 59.35 and Marcus Fielden recorded 1:01.34. Steve Jackson took a nasty tumble when he tangled with a spectator’s handbag but suffered nothing worse than cuts and bruises.

Jackson was back in action this weekend in the Janus RC 25-mile time trial on the same course and showed few ill effects from his fall when he recorded one of his fastest times this year, 1:01.55.

This was just ahead of Marcus Fielden (1:02.04) while Steve Burke took sixth with 55.36. Wrenn travelled to Randy to ride the North Midlands Veterans 25-mile event and finished fourth in 58.20.

Twelve Wheelers took part in the annual Spud Riley Sportive to raise money for Christies. Covering either 54 miles or 100 miles, the route takes in some of the most challenging climbs of the White Peak.

In the 54-mile event Georgina, Greg and Sue Rowson finished together in 5:18.15, with Cath Schofield and Peter Wilson a few seconds behind and Paul Roman completing the Wheelers times with 6:09.46.

In the 100-mile event, Dave Higham recorded 6:30.03 followed by Kevin Jackson (7:26.01), John Goodsell (7:45.06), Grahan Travis (8:30.39), Claire Logan (8:32.26) and Wayne Marchbank (10:01.41).

This Sunday, 18 Wheelers completed the 100 miles of the Cheshire Cycleway, ably marshalled by Phil Bridge.

For several of the riders, it was their first attempt at riding this distance and special credit goes to 14-year old Adam Burgess for completing the 100 miles in only his second club ride.