Ultra-riding icon Chris Hopkinson, a British time trial champion, set to retire after the 24-hour race, with a new race organizer taking over.
Title: Reviving the National 24-hour Championship Time Trial: A New Era
Tim Smith, a Cycling Time Trials (CTT) guru, steps into the spotlight as the new organizer of this year's National 24-hour Championship time trial. With the legacy of Jon and Sam Williams, who previously held the reins, Smith is set to shake things up.
Back in the autumn, Smith accepted the challenge to carry on the torch, and he hasn't looked back since. The event, happening on the roads of Cheshire over the weekend of July 26-27, is now a qualifier for the esteemed Race Across America (RAAM) and promises to be a spectacular display of endurance and determination.
The event will mark a historic milestone for ultra-riding legend Chris 'Hoppo' Hopkinson, as it will be his final ever race. With a 27-year career that saw him win numerous national medals for his performance in CTT events and under the World Ultra Cycling Association banner, Hopkinson views this event as a fitting capstone to his impressive career.
Speaking on the matter, Hopkinson expressed his relief that this unique event would continue to take place. "For a long time, I have tried to promote long-distance cycling, and I was worried the National 24 might disappear. I'm very, very glad it's not. I think Tim being on board is a fantastic thing," Hopkinson shared.
The new organizer, Smith, has more than just simply keeping the event alive in mind. While he admits that his tenure may not be forever, he has already started to amass event partners and develop unique offerings for the participants.
For Smith, the success of this event is not solely measured by the distance covered, but by the respect gained by every participant. "Anyone who does it, regardless of whether you do 500-plus miles or 200 miles, has the respect of anyone who knows anything about time trialling," Smith emphasized.
In parallel, Cycling Time Trials' (CTT) new website has received remarkable attention, with visits surpassing the total for the entirety of 2024 in less than three months. The site offers a user-friendly experience, from browsing events to accessing results, all tailored to cater to club events as well.
According to CTT chair Andrea Parish, the new site has been met with widespread approval, and ongoing improvements continue to be made. With exciting event-related developments on the horizon, it seems that the future of the sport and the National 24-hour Championship time trial is looking brighter than ever.
Witness the rebirth of the National 24-hour Championship time trial with Tim Smith at the helm, and marvel at the extraordinary story of Chris 'Hoppo' Hopkinson as he sends off his career amidst the thrilling challenge that started it all.
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[1] The Race Across America is a renowned, grueling transcontinental bicycle race that covers approximately 3,000 miles from Oceanside, California, to Annapolis, Maryland. It's considered one of the most challenging ultra-endurance cyclosportives in the world.
Sports-analysis of the National 24-hour Championship time trial suggests that the event, under Tim Smith's new management, is expected to offer a unique sports-analysis perspective, with an emphasis on testing participants' endurance and determination, as it serves as a qualifier for the highly prestigious Race Across America. The sports-analysis could also highlight the historic journey of ultra-riding legend Chris 'Hoppo' Hopkinson, marking his career's final race in this event.
