Brighton Mitre CC 25

Simon McNamara and Hilary Briggs took the top prizes at the Brighton Mitre CC 25-mile time trial in West Sussex on Sunday.

McNamara (Sigma Sport Race Team) turned in a superb performance to win comfortably, his time of 53-24 giving him the victory by over three minutes from his nearest rival Colin McDermott (Festival RC) with Pat Wright (Paceline RT) third.

Briggs (Serpentine Running Club) clocked 1-10-30 to finish as fastest female, while Maria Tomassini (Clapham Chasers) was runner-up.

Briggs, who last won this event in 2022, posted a five minute improvement for the Kirdford course. She is evidently in great form, having placed second in her age group at the World Triathlon Championships in Spain recently.

Team TMC’s Robert Lovett won the road bike category in 59-53, while Avi Mahandru (Parlay CC) was five minutes or so back in second spot.

“I was really pleased with my ride, it topped off a good season for me where I raced TTs, road and gravel,” said McNamara.

“I rode the Vuelta Mallorca Masters stage race a couple of weeks ago so had some good speed and endurance in my legs, which to be honest was probably a big advantage over the other riders in the field.

“My brother should also have been riding but he unfortunately suffered a fractured shoulder after he was caught up in a crash out in Mallorca.

“My ride was smooth and I felt completely in control of the effort and really enjoyed the ride over the three laps of a rolling circuit, with a view to ride the Skiff’s lane section a little over TT pace and then recover on the easier downhill section and it seemed to work pretty well.

“Robin Johnson’s promotions are always good events to ride, well marshalled and a cracking prize list.”

In other categories Festival Road Club won the team prize with McDermott being joined in the victorious trio by Ethan Heather and Stuart Heather with a combined time of 3-18-51.

The event, on the G25/42 course near Kirdford, benefitted from generous sponsorship from West Sussex manufacturers Exposure Lights, who donated a wealth of their products to bump the prize pot up to more than £1,500.

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