Despite awful conditions for the Brighton Mitre CC hilly 25-mile event on Easter Monday, there were still some impressive times set with Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports-Cannondale) and Kerry McGawley (Brighton Mitre CC) fastest man and woman.
The fine weather seen earlier in the Easter weekend ended about 4am on Easter Monday in West Sussex, with steady rain setting in and flooding roads around the course near Upper Beeding.
Although it was around 11 degrees, the south-westerly winds gathered momentum with the rain getting heavier as the event progressed, a headwind finish over the final four miles and even a few hailstones.
Despite the horrendous conditions McNamara’s time of 58-24 was just over two minutes away from his brother Chris’s 2019 course record set in benign conditions.
Second spot in the time trial bike category was 2022 winner Pat Wright (Paceline RT) with 1-01-21, and third was the promoting club’s Jack Smith with 1-06-34.
The only female contender, McGawley’s time of 1-18-56 was nevertheless impressive and deserving of the prize.
The road bike category was won by Sussex Revolution VC rider Olly Thomas with 1-08-45 while two team-mates Aaron Sparks-Carolann and Steve Coombs were second and third, ensuring they also took the team prize too.
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Results:
Time trial bikes:
Men:
1st Simon McNamara Sigma Sport-Cannondale 58 24
2nd Pat Wright Paceline RT 1 01 21
3rd Jack Smith Brighton Mitre C.C. 1 06 34
4th Mike Marchant Southdown Velo 1 20 08
5th Robin Johnson Brighton Mitre C.C. 1 49 53
Women:
1st Kerry McGawley Brighton Mitre C.C. 1 18 56
Road bikes:
1st Olly Thomas Sussex Revolution VC 1 08 45
2nd Aaron Sparks-Carolann Sussex Revolution VC 1 09 40
3rd Steve Coombs Sussex Revolution VC 1 09 46
4th Nigel Langridge Crawley Whls. 1 16 25
5th Jack Fussey Southampton University 1 19 38