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Lucy Gadd (Storey Racing) and Thomas Day (Elevate Home Solutions Soenens) battled to victories in a tough opening round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series over lumpy roads in Dorset.

Gadd, from Bournemouth, won a competitive women’s event clocking a winning time of 56 minutes and three seconds over the 24-mile course – a minute and 43 seconds clear of her nearest challenger.

Organised by Wessex Road Club the event started at Wimborne Minster before riders head out on the rolling B3078 and then climbed on a link road over to the A354 towards Blandford Forum.

 The toughest part of the course came on the final section with the rolling B3082 to the finish at Wimborne Minster into a headwind.

Gadd finished eighth in the National Circuit Championship last season and showed she will again be a fierce competitor this season taking her opening win of the campaign.

A close battle for second saw Lilly Chant (Southampton University Road Cycling Club) clock a time of 57-46 which was just four seconds faster than quickest veteran Sally Turner (trainSharp) in 57-50.

Spindata had predicted a victory for Gadd but the youngster went almost two minutes faster than her predicted time.

“It was hilly but on lovely roads,” said Gadd.

“I knew I would be up there but I hadn’t heard of the competition. I will hopefully do more rounds of the series but a few are quite far away from Bournemouth so it would be a big drive to some places.

“I do plan to ride some of the closer rounds.”

Meanwhile, Day, aged 19, won the men’s event clocking a winning time of 49-39 – over two minutes clear of his rivals.

Day finished fifth in the National 10-mile Championship last season and showed his strength over the lumpier terrain for his first open time trial victory of the season.

Jordan Giles (Primera-Teamjobs) led the charge behind taking second in 52-09 while Sam Thompson (Podium Addict) finished third (55-52).

Spindata had predicted a victory for Day but the under-23 rider went 42 seconds faster than his predicted time.

In the veterans’ competition Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) took the opening round in his bid to target the Merlin Cycles Classic Series this season.

Pardoe recorded a winning time of 50-58 which was 36 seconds faster than Justin Webb (...a3crg) in 51-34 while Paul Jones (Primera-Teamjobs) completed the podium positions (52-58).

In the para-cyclist category Martin Hailstone (Chapeau! Vive Le Velo) took victory in a time of 1-01-55 just 39 seconds quicker than Nicholas Fairfield (City RC Hull).

Returning to competition Simon Richardson (TORQ Performance) saw his seat post drop one mile from the start resulting in him failing to finish.

Finlay Tarling (Flanders Color Galloo Team) was the junior boy’s winner clocking 51-38 while in the girls’ competition Abbey Thompson (Stonham Barns Park – SYRT) recorded 1-07-28 which was 58 seconds quicker than Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Whs).

In the road bike category Giles Greening (Tri UK) took his first ever open time trial victory recording a time of 56-46.

Scratch rider Dave Dent (GS Stella) had to settle for second on this occasion in 58-23 while Malcolm Cox (Velo Club St Raphael) finished third (59-06).

In the women’s road bike category Jennifer Lemen (PDQ Cycle Coaching) took victory in a time of 1-06-06.

She finished just 43 seconds quicker than Louisa Cooper (Bournemouth Jubilee Whs) while Caroline Heighton (Ferryhill Whs) finished third (1-30-14).

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

* A gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here.