In a remarkable twist of time and fate, the National Championship 25 this weekend takes place 40 years to the minute since Alf Engers set his fabled competition record of 49-24, obliterating his previous mark by over 90 seconds. This feat, combined with the pre-aero context and equipment used by Engers mean it is an achievement still spoken of in hushed tones.

The CTT and promoting club ...a3crg are therefore delighted that both Alf Engers on the Sunday and the incomparable Julia Shaw on the Saturday will be in attendance as guests of honour. Between them they hold a staggering 12 championship titles over the distance and achieved 10 competition records across all distances. It promises to be a unique event and an opportunity to see and hear first-hand both how time trialling has changed, but also how it remains at heart a breathtakingly simple and brilliant amateur sport. Watch today’s stars of time trialling blitz the P884c course in scenic Hampshire, then see and meet two titans of yesteryear at the HQ afterwards. Verily, we are spoiling you.

The field is incredibly strong, with Marcin Białobłocki (NOPINZ) leading the charge from this season’s super sharp shooters: the Ribble Pro Cycling wolf-pack of Dan Bigham, John Archibald and Simon Wilson. Ryan Perry (DRAG2ZERO), Stuart Travis (Team Bottrill/Vanguard) round out the top seeds, with Kieron Davies (DRAG2ZERO) and Matt Smith (DRAG2ZERO) also capable of reaching the podium. However, it’s hard to see beyond the lightning-quick Marcin who has ridden a full two minutes faster than anyone else in the field.

The women’s line up features two of the three fastest women ever at the distance (separated only by Julia Shaw): form rider Alice Lethbridge (DRAG2ZERO) and record holder Hayley Simmonds (Team WNT Pro Cycling). It should be a straight out head-to-head, but Anna Turvey (Tyneside Vagabonds C.C.) and Vicky Gill (DRAG2ZERO) are out to spoil the party.

In the juniors, Tom Temple (Primera-Teamjobs) has a 48.04 to his name this season, with Tom Cornwell (In-Gear Quickvit Italy Bike Tours RT) 9 seconds quicker. Oliver Stockwell (Welwyn Wheelers) has also gone sub-50 minutes and is an outside bet for the title. Both are on form and the margins are very slim. Caitlin Peters (i-team c.c.) is scratch in the junior girls.  

It promises to be a unique and glorious championship; a chance to celebrate the incredible feats of both today’s and yesterday’s riders, to see the winners receive their prizes from bona fide legends of the sport and to celebrate time trialling in all its rapid, technicolour brilliance. See you up the road!

The Women and Junior’s event starts at 15.02 on Saturday with the first Woman off at 15.35. Hayley Simmonds is last off at 16.58, two minutes after Alice Lethbridge, four minutes after Anna Turvey.

Sunday sees the first man off at 07.01. Dan Bigham is last away at 09.10 behind Marcin Bialoblocki, 09.08; Ryan Perry 09.06; John Archibald 09.04.

Event Headquarters for both events is the Sports Hall (Block D), Bohunt School, Longmoor Road, Liphook GU30 7NY.

As usual full start sheets can be found on our website.

Words by Paul Jones & David Taylor