Eastern Counties Cycling Association 10

North Essex Velo veteran Victoria Connelly was quickest female while Samuel Thienel of Elysium Kalas RT was fastest in the open category at the Eastern Counties CA 10-mile time trial in Essex on Sunday morning.

The event, run off on the E91/10 course near Leaden Roding, saw Connelly complete the distance in 29-31 to win the women’s category by 1-44 from junior Grace Mason (Walden Tri).

A time of 21-53 was good enough for Thienel to take the win by 22 seconds from Chelmer CC veteran David Harding, while CC London’s Daryl Maffey was another 29 seconds back in third spot.

Hart Performance Coaching Espoir Alfie Salmon occupied fifth place with 23-17, while the prize for fastest road bike went to Sam Wightman (Chelmer CC) in 24-01.

Chelmer CC also won the handicap prize with Patrick Claridge’s 15-05 being 41 seconds better than Philip Hodey (Shaftesbury CC), and Chelmer also won the team category with David Harding, Sam Wightman and Patrick Claridge teaming up for a combined time of 1-12-47.

This was Thienel’s first win of the season, but comes after placing second in the West Kent RC 8-mile event in April as well as fifth in the ECCA 25 back in March. Upcoming for the youngster is the National Team Time Trial Championship over a 25-mile course just north of Gloucester on June 23.

According to her record Connolly’s only other performance in an open time trial was at the Maldon and District CC 50-mile event seven days earlier where she placed fourth female.

This event took place in sunny but not particularly warm conditions, with a noticeable westerly wind.

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