Nikki Toomer and Josh Coyne were fastest female and male riders respectively at the Exeter Wheelers CC sporting 17-mile time trial in Devon on Sunday.

The event – which was actually a little short because of roadworks and traffic lights on the course – was run off in near freezing conditions on Sunday morning, with the challenging hilly conditions giving riders plenty to think.

24-year-old Coyne clocked 37-46 to take the win by almost a minute from runner-up Ian Cullen (Mid-Devon CC) who covered the course in 38-38 which in turn was 46 seconds better than third-placed Liam Bard (Revo Racing).

Fastest of the women was 49-year-old veteran Nikki Toomer (Exeter Wheelers) with 46-32

The original S7/17s course takes riders from Clyst St Mary to the east of Exeter, down to the Exe estuary before heading inland through Clyst St George, Woodbury, over the common and back round past Crealy Adventure Park before finishing just before Clyst St Mary.

The victory was Coyne’s third open win of the season so far, but surely won’t be his last given the good form he is enjoying.

He was fastest in the City Cycle Couriers RT 10 back in February, and was also winner of the Tavistock Wheelers sporting 25 last month. Since then he powered to 13th spot in the Merthyr CC 25 on the fast Rhigos course in South Wales, where he stopped the clocks in a time of 53-04, impressive for the time of year.

He is next due to be in action in the Mid-Devon CC sporting 23 on Good Friday, as well as the Mid Cornwall CC 16-mile time trial on April 28.

Toomer’s win comes after having placed fifth in the same event 12 months ago, while she was fourth in the 2017 edition – albeit faster on both those occasions.

Among her results last year was second spot in the Alltrax 10-mile event back in July. Toomer is next due to be in action in the Exeter Wheelers 10 on May 5.

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

Results:

1. Josh Coyne (BPM Coaching)         37.46

2. Ian Cullen (Mid-Devon CC)           38.38

3. Liam Bard (Revo Racing)   39.24

Women: Nikki Toomer (Exeter Wheelers)      46.32