Utag RT 10

Paul Burton (Paceline RT) achieved a long-term goal by breaking the 18-minute mark on his way to victory at the Utag RT 10, while Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (Team Boompods) won the women’s event with another impressive ride.

Burton, who turns 42 next week, posted a winning time of 17 minutes and 56 leading a one-two for Paceline RT ahead of team-mate Andy Critchlow just 12 seconds back.

The fast P881/10 sees riders start near Ham Barn Farm, near West Liss, before heading out and back along the A3 through the Longmoor Ranges to the turn at Liphook.

Veteran rider Burton, from East Horsley, took his fourth open time trial victory of the season and also took 25 seconds off his 10-mile personal best time.

A close battle for the podium positions saw the top five riders separated by just 32 seconds.

Critchlow has been on fine form this season and came into the event after five consecutive individual open time trial victories.

However, on this occasion he finished second just 12 seconds back, while Kevin Chant (Wightlink Wight Mountain Race Team) finished third (18-12) finishing just a single second quicker than Alex Doherty (DRAG2ZERO).

Spindata had predicted that Burton would stop the clock in 18-54, but he took 58 seconds off that time to set a personal best.

“It was fantastic,” said Burton. “I’m absolutely delighted, it has been a long-term goal of mine to go under 18 minutes.

“The wind was in the right direction which made the course super-fast. Most of the course is tree-lined so today’s southerly wind made it fast.

“It was a case of turning up for the events on quick courses regularly to get the right course with the right wind direction.

“I’ve been pushed really hard this year by my new team-mate Andy Critchlow and it was great to get a one-two today.”

The women’s event was also closely fought and Hodgkins-Byrne, aged 26, from London, took her first open time trial victory stopping the clock in 20-59.

Alex Morrice (Canyon/Sram Racing) was taking part in her first open time trial of the season and finished just 12 seconds behind in 21-11.

Quickest veteran on scratch Claire Emons (...a3crg) finished third overall in 22-02 finishing 26 seconds ahead of team-mate Sarah Matthews.

The only tandem pairing was Rachael Elliott and Ian Greenstreet (Newbury Velo) who stopped the clock in 18-52.

In the road bike category veteran Stephen Skinner (Velo Club St Raphael) was the only entrant and finished in 23-42.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results
1 Paul Burton (Paceline RT) 17.56
2 Andy Critchlow (Paceline RT) 18.08
3 Kevin Chant (Wightlink Wight Mountain Race Team) 18.12
4 Alex Doherty (DRAG2ZERO) 18.13
5 Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports | Cannondale RT) 18.28
6 Stuart Bettis  (Precise Performance RT) 19.04

Tandem: Rachael Elliott & Ian Greenstreet (Newbury Velo) 18.52

Women
1 Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (Team Boompods) 20.59
2 Alex Morrice (Canyon/Sram Racing) 21.11
3 Claire Emons (...a3crg) 22.02
4 Sarah Matthews (...a3crg) 22.28
5 Eva Zsigoova (VeloRefined Rule 5) 24.43
6 Rachel Waite (North Hampshire RC) 24.44

Road bike: Stephen Skinner (Velo Club St Raphael) 23.42