News & Features

Matt O’Brien clinched victory in the open category at the Eastern Counties Cycling Association 10-mile time trial on 26 July 2025 with Lindsay Clarke the top female in Cambridgeshire. Pedal Revolution Cycling Club’s O’Brien finished in 18:40, nine seconds ahead of Justin Layne in 18:49 for Hitchin Nomads Cycling Club while Ely and District Cycling Club’s Darran Bennett completed the podium in 19:03.

Open Category Highlights and Results

O’Brien showed his form with a commanding performance, equalling his 10-mile personal best and sneaking the win by only nine seconds. “Firstly, a big thanks to the ECCA, the organiser and marshals on the day, without them none of us would have been able to ride our bikes,” said O’Brien after claiming victory. “The weather was a little mixed to say the least, rain was forecast over the afternoon, but it looked like it was going to be patchy so I think we all had our fingers crossed for a dry ride. Having lost out by five seconds to a similar field a couple of weeks earlier, I was really pleased to pick up the win, but it was a close-run thing. I knew Justin Layne was in good form and as he was off a minute before me, there were times I could see him while riding and the gap between us remained pretty constant so I wasn’t sure if I was ahead or if he was. I made it to around eight miles before the rains started so I only had a few minutes riding in the wet, something I try to avoid on a DC course but fortunately, I had good legs and delivered the power I needed, equalling my 10-mile personal best and sneaking the win by only nine seconds. Finally, a big thanks to my coach Paul Hart at Hart Performance Coaching as we have made big progress this year and back-to-back 18s is a testament to that.”

Quickest open road bike went to James Lonergan (Shaftesbury Cycling Club) in 20:43. Top handicap rider went to Stephen Campbell from Twickenham Cycling Club -TCC in an adjusted time of 12:50, ahead of Cycling Club Sudbury’s Mathew Shotbolt in 12:59 while a time of 13:31 saw Lonergan take third. Bennett, Simon Butteriss and Colin Currie were fastest team for Ely and District Cycling Club in a combined time of 59:33.

Road Bike Results

1. James Lonergan (Shaftesbury CC) 20:43

TT Bike Results

1. Matt O'Brien (Pedal Revolution CC) 18:40

2. Justin Layne (Hitchin Nomads CC) 18:49

3. Samuel Thienel (Elysium Kalas Race Team) 19:03

Women's Category Highlights and Results

In the women’s event, Clarke (Fenland Clarion Cycling Club) triumphed in 23:01 from Cambridge Cycling Club’s Ann Shuttleworth in 25:06, while Mona Chammas of SUGO took third in 27:25 also finishing as fastest female road bike.

Clarke explained: “I was off early, number 16, and it had started to rain by the time I had my rollers out to warm up. Needless to say I’d have warmed up better by staying in the car! The A11 was pretty busy but I kept close to the white line and concentrated on trying to go faster than 25mph. I negotiated the turn with only a very slight pause to let a car go and then back up the A11 to the finish. It may have been slightly faster going home, but there wasn’t anywhere where the wind was really helping. I was slightly disappointed to find I had missed a 22 minute 10 by a couple of seconds, but overall I had tried as hard as I could. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who organised and helped with the event.”

Road Bike Results

1. Mona Chammas (SUGO) 27:25

TT Bike Results

1. Lindsay Clarke (Fenland Clarion CC) 23:01

2. Ann Shuttleworth (Cambridge CC) 25:06

Course and Event Details This 10-mile event, held on the E2/10 course, is an out-and-back circuit that starts just south of Six Mile Bottom and heads southbound on the A11 until reaching the roundabout at Four Went Ways where riders turn and follow the route back to finish just south of the start line.

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