Southern Counties Cycling Union 10

Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports Race Team) took victory by 32 seconds in the Southern Counties CU 10, while Mark Aldred (Kingston Wheelers) was the fastest road bike in a new course record.

The opening event of the 30th Oakwood Hill weekend saw competitors complete a 10-mile sporting course on Saturday afternoon.

After a sunny morning and 13 degrees, the sun disappeared just 30 minutes before the event began but it was still a good conditions with just a light south-west wind. 

Predictably, prolific winner McNamara was fastest with an impressive 21-57 knocking 14 off Pete Tadros’ veterans’ course record set in the 2014 event.

McNamara, aged 48, won 10 open time trials last season and opened his winning tally for 2024 at the first attempt.

However, he was over a minute outside of the course record of 20-44 set by semi-pro Belgian rider Jari Verstraeten in 2022.

Fellow veteran Colin McDermott (Festival RC) was also competing in his first open event of the season the 56-year-old placed second in 22-29.

Not to be outdone Aldred, aged 36, recorded a new road bike record stopping the clock in 23-25, having ridden 23 miles out to the event.

Aldred’s rider came after the previous holder Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) had improved his two-year-old record of 24-49 with a 24-19 to finish second in the road bike category and fifth overall.

Third in the time trial bike category was Jonathan Besly (Dorking CC) who stopped the clock in 24-03.

After finishing fourth in the National 10-mile Championship in 1992, Peter Main (34 Nomads CC) is continuing to test himself and the 58-year-old was pleased with sixth placed overall finish in 24-45.

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

Results:

Open:

1 Simon McNamara    Sigma Sports Race Team        21.57

2 Colin McDermott    Festival RC     22.29

3 Mark Aldred Kingston Wheelers      23.25

4 Jonathan Besly         Dorking CC    24.03

5 Richard Cartland     HuntBikeWheels.com 24.19

6 Peter Main    34 Nomads CC           24.45

Road bike:  Mark Aldred        Kingston Wheelers      23.25