Both Sarah Wilkinson and Finlay Robertson set new course records as they took victories at the Gosforth Road Club 12-mile time trial in Northumberland on Sunday morning.

51-year-old Wilkinson from Chester le Street, riding for Blaydon CC, clocked 30-54 to reduce the women’s course record by 13 seconds, while overall fastest was Fin Robertson (Derwentside CC) who lowered his own men’s record by five seconds with a time of 25-06.

The M12 non-standard course had to be shortened by approximately a quarter of a mile for the start of the current campaign due to a 20 mph speed restriction in the centre of the village, but the new finish line is proving to be popular, especially for Robertson of Derwentside CC who seems to favour the twists and turns which this sporting course throws up.

This was his second victory of the weekend, having won Saturday’s Allen Valley Velo 14-mile event near Allendale.

Not to be outdone, Sarah Wilkinson secured the female victory with 30:54 bettering the previous course record by 13 seconds, while Daniel Holmes bettered his own junior course record by a further 40 seconds for sixth place overall.

It was hard to see that course records would tumble as the morning got off to a grey and overcast start with some blustery cross/headwind in the first half of the race.

Robertson agreed, saying afterwards: “It was a tough day out there. The wind made it pretty grippy on the way out, so I was really happy to better my previous course record.

“With not doing a lot of races earlier on in the season when racing resumed, I haven’t been thinking about our local Best All Rounder competition. However, I’ve had a few messages from friends telling me what I have to do to qualify and possibly win.  It will be pretty difficult to pull the gap back from behind, but not impossible, so fingers crossed.”

Christopher Wayman (Blumilk.com) secured another road bike win in 28:59, while the fastest rider for the host club was Simon Crisp (29:10). The veterans result is still to be confirmed.

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

* Photographs by Ian Carins.