CTT Classic Series Event 1

Road bike competitor Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks - Vitec Fire - Ford Civil – Trek) went quickest to win the opening CTT Classic Series round, while Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach) was fastest woman.

Whitcher, aged 19, posted a winning time of 34 minutes and nine seconds over the 14.6-mile course - which included 457 metres of climbing.

The South District hosted the first of six rounds of the CTT Classic Series with a tough opening event.

The undulating course included a sharp final Pipers Wait climb in the last 1.5 kilometres up to the finish.

Teenager Whitcher won six open events last year and opened his account for 2024 in style finishing over two minutes clear of his nearest road bike competitor.

Oliver Hurdle (Stolen Goat Race Team) won a close battle for second in the road bike category with his time of 36-17 just 10 seconds faster than Brett Wheeler (Poole Wheelers) in 36-27.

“I'd raced the course last season on my training bike so I had a good idea of the course, it's pretty challenging because there no time to let off the power, it's a hard combination of staying aero on the road bike and producing power,” said Whitcher.

“I’m happy to win the event overall in both categories, it’s a good sign of what I can do this year.”

The women’s event was a two-way battle between time trial bike competitors Rhodes-Jones and Keri Parton (Team Bottrill) with just 21 seconds separating them at the finish.

It was 33-year-old Rhodes-Jones who took top spot stopping the clock in 39-10 to beat her Team Bottrill competitor into second (39-31), while Evgeniya Righini-Brand (Spalding CC) was third in the category (44-28).

“It was good for my first time trial of the year,” said Rhodes-Jones. “The rain had stopped by the time we started thankfully but the roads were still a bit wet and sandy.

“It was well organised and the few turns were well signposted. The hill up to the finish was brutal, it’s a pretty tough little hill and was shortened slightly so we finished just over the summit.

“The rest of the course was quite undulating and all the corners were floating despite some gravel on the road.

“Keri started two minutes ahead of me and I didn’t have a minute rider to catch, I didn’t see Keri at all.

“Keri is always a strong rider and it’s always pretty close between us. I’m going for the overall Series and the next round at Buxton always has a good turnout.

“I’ve ridden at Buxton three times and there’s always a lot of road riders because of the long climb.”

Finishing third woman overall Sien Van der Plank (New Forest CC) was quickest woman road bike competitor in 43-13.

A close battle for second road bike saw Alice O’Neill (Velo Bavarian) finish in 44-15 which was four seconds faster than quickest veteran woman on scratch Louisa Cooper (PDQ Cycle Coaching).

In the open time trial bike category Ben Goodwin (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC) took victory in 34-44 finishing over two minutes clear of his nearest competitor.

Chris Booth (Army Cycling) finished second in the category (36-47) and hosting club rider Jeremy Hubbard completed the podium positions (37-40).

The veteran’s category was also closely fought with Dominic Righini-Brand (Spalding CC) going fastest in 36-44 which was eight seconds quicker than Alexander Fortune (Army Cycling).

Third veteran overall was Karl Norris (360VRT) who was also quickest in the age group for road bikes after recording a time of 37-36.

The junior competition saw three road bike riders take part with youth competitor Thomas Wilks (Sotonia CC) going fastest in 42-37.

Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers) was quickest girl and second junior overall in 50-15, while Marit Davidse (Sotonia CC) was third overall (1-07-38).

Meanwhile, Mark Valentine (Poole Wheelers) was the only para-cyclist and stopped the clock in 37-30.

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