The weather stayed dry just long enough for all of the riders to get round the 50-mile course used for the Hampshire RC event on Sunday and it was Michael Ford of VC St Raphael that walked away with the winner’s medal after completing in 1:40.26.

It was a fantastic ride but he couldn’t get near the course record of 1:38.55, set by cycling legend Michael Hutchinson many years ago.

The course is made up of lots of duel carriageway sections and although it is quite flat, the first mile and a half are downhill, getting the riders off to a quick start.

Blazing Saddles rider Alex Napier took second place with a time of 1:41.54 and he also finished as quickest veteran.

Fareham Wheelers claimed the team prize and it was their rider James Copeland that took third with 1:44.00. Gary Chambers in fourth with 1:45.23 and Paul Ashley in ninth with 1:46.56 were the other members of the trio.

A3CRG had two riders on the podium in the women’s category and one of them, Laura Bartlett, claimed victory with a time of 1:55.50. Another of their riders, Eva Nyirenda, was third in 2:06.21.

They were separated by Drag2zero member Vicky Gill who raced around in 1:59.14 to take second.

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

Results:

1. Michael Ford (VC St Raphael)       1:40.26

2. Alex Napier (Blazing Saddles)       1:41.54

3. James Copeland (Fareham Wheelers)         1:44.00

4. Gary Chambers (Fareham Wheelers)          1:45.23

5. Tom Pritchard (Hampshire RC)     1:45.39

6. Nick Dwyer (Lewes Wanderers)    1:45.54

7. James Wright (Charlotteville CC)  1:46.19

8. John Samways (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers)   1:46.54

9. Paul Ashley (Fareham Wheelers CC)        1:46.56

10. Steven Pink (Poole Wheelers)      1:47.05

Veteran: Alex Napier

Women:

1. Laura Bartlett (A3CRG)     1:55.50

2. Vicky Gill (Drag2zero)       1:59.14

3. Eva Nyirenda (A3CRG)     2:06.21

Team: Fareham Wheelers (James Copeland, Gary Chambers and Paul Ashley)