The new Ribble Ultra has been sweeping up titles and records in time trials and triathlon at a rapid rate since its launch in May. Most recently Team Ribble triathlete Joe Skipper became the IRONMAN UK champion on his very first competitive outing on the Ultra TRI. The victory moves Joe into a position where he can qualify for the Kona World Championship in October – the biggest prize in the highly demanding sport of triathlon. In time trials the Ribble Pro Cycling team have also been racking up the wins and course records.
TRI: Ironman UK winner
“After finishing third in 2013, second in 2014 and third in 2015, it’s amazing to take my first IRONMAN UK title. I felt today was going to be my day and it now sets me up for the rest of the year. The support I had was absolutely incredible, I was blown away,” Joe said after his win. Sixth placed out of the water, Joe’s strong bike leg – on the new, aero-optimised Ultra TRI bike – moved him through to second place and into the ideal position to challenge for the title. Thanks to a great bike leg and a 2:45 marathon, Joe won his first IRONMAN UK title by over seven minutes. “Aerodynamics is a massive part of cycling and triathlon and I truly believe the Ultra Tri is up there with the top bikes – it’s certainly the fastest bike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding. I was excited to get on the Ultra Tri at Ironman UK on Sunday and given the win, I’m looking forward to be racing it for the remainder of the season,” Joe added.
TT: Four in Top 20 in National Championship
The Ribble Pro Cycling team made the big boys of the UCI World Tour sit up and take notice in the British National Time Trial Championship in Northumberland at the end of June. Led home by Commonwealth Games track medallist John Archibald (below) in fourth place, Team Ribble packed four riders into the top 18 places. Finishing closely behind John were Dan Bigham in eighth, Simon Wilson in thirteenth and David Hewett in eighteenth. “Considering the riders who filled the podium I’m pleased to come away with fourth place,” John Archibald said afterwards. As widely expected Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas clocked the fastest time to take his first National Time Trial title by from Tour de Yorkshire stage winner and GB track team rider Harry Tanfield. The bronze medal went to five-time champion Alex Dowsett and impressively Archibald was less than a minute behind the World Tour time trial specialist.
TT: New National 25-mile Team Record
Ribble Pro Cycling team’s strongest time triallists identified a 25-mile course in July with one goal in mind - breaking the National 25-mile team competition record (2:18:35 by Team Bottrill). Conditions were favourable, although very hot, and all three riders went out very hard (56+kmh to the turn) and slightly blew up on the long uphill return to the finish. John Archibald rode a hugely impressive 44:41 to record the third fastest 25 on UK soil behind Marcin Białobłocki and former Hour record holder Alex Dowsett. Simon Wilson destroyed his PB with 45:12 and Dan Bigham (above) was close behind recording 45:32. It was mission accomplished for the trio setting a new National team competition record of 2:15:25 which knocked a massive 3 minutes and 10 seconds off the existing best time. The Ultra TT has been raced to over a dozen time trial victories by Team Ribble so far this season including the Scottish National 25-mile title (in a course record) and the RTTC National Circuit Championship (a Ribble one-two-three - below) as well as a handful of course records.
Still more to come
With more major time trial championships and IRONMAN races to come this looks set to be a great debut year for this race platform. The Ribble Ultra Tri and TT were launched after an extensive R&D process in May, 2018. Every aspect of the Ultra Tri has been optimised for performance with ultimate watt-saving aerodynamic efficiency as the priority. From the full carbon aero fork providing precise steering, control and featuring truncated Kamm-tail aerofoils, the truncated aero frame profiles and multi-position seat post, the Ultra Tri is a rapid race platform. The Ultra Tri is fully equipped for triathlon events of all distances and levels, with a full complement of feed boxes and hydration system, this superbike is designed to maximise every aero advantage for bike leg performances.