Christopher Gibbard (Bynea CC) claimed the top spot in the Pontypool RCC 10-mile time trial Welsh Championship event, while Andrea Parish (VeloSistas TT Team) bettered the field in the women’s event.

39-year-old scratch man Gibbard picked up the win, riding a time of 18:24 to secure the title.

Owen Burgess (Newport Phoenix CC) was runner up with a time of 18:50, and finishing off the podium was Mathew Roberts (Team Bottrill), he rode the course in a time of 19:12.

Gibbard, who set a new personal best as well as a course record, said: “The course is fast but you don’t get anything for free and I’ve always really looked up to the riders who’ve managed to go sub 19 on it. So to the break the course record I’m really happy.”

Gibbard was hit by a vehicle back in May which resulted in concussion and broken bones in his back so he has had a period of rehabilitation. “It has taken a while to work back to the form I had before the accident but my coach Conrad Moss has really helped me get back to where I am."This performance marked a second consecutive win for Gibbard, who won on his last ride out at the Ogmore Valley Wheelers 10.

In the women’s event it was Andrea Parish who outclassed the field and pushed the pace to come out on top with 23:16 being her winning time.

Louise Burnie (Swansea Wheelers) was the second placed rider, finishing the course in 23:25. To fill the final spot on the podium was Jody Parker (Team Zero-Allez) who clocked in at 23:52.

In the event 40 riders set new personal bests, second and third set new PB’s for themselves in the men’s event, Burgess set himself a new best, improving on his previous best of 19:40 over 10 miles by nearly a full minute.

Roberts reduced his best by six seconds, his previous best being 19:18. Burnie who finished third in the women’s event also set a new best, having rode 10 miles at 25:20 as her quickest time prior to this event, she turned that quickest time into 23:52.

The quickest Junior and Juvenile riders were Iago Williams (Towy Riders Cycle Club) 22:20 and Alex Coles (VMCC) 23:19.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Neral Buckley.

Results:

Men:

Christopher Gibbard (Bynea CC) - 18:24

Owen Burgess (Newport Phoenix CC) - 18:50

Mathew Roberts (Team Bottrill) - 19:12

Anthony Jones (VMCC) - 19:23

Nick English (AeroCoach) - 19:26

Anthony Roberts (Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT) - 19:45

Women:

Andrea Parish (VeloSistas TT Team) - 23:16

Louise Burnie (Swansea Wheelers) - 23:25

Jody Parker (Team Zero-Allez) - 23:52

Emma Palfrey (Caffi Gruff) - 24:05

Rosey Mushens (73 Degrees Bicycles) - 24:10

Clare Greenwood (Bush Healthcare CRT) - 24:35