Terry Wilkinson (GTR - Return To Life P/B Streamline) took his first ever individual open time trial victory and a course record at the Velo Culture 13, while Adele McAleer (Velo Culture) won the women’s event by just eight seconds.

Wilkinson had finished runner-up in several open events but stormed to his first victory clocking a time of 26 minutes and 53 seconds – beating the old course record time of 27-02.

The Velo Culture event over 13 miles started in Embleton before riders completed a loop of the Northumberland countryside.

Wilkinson won the Blaydon CC 2-up earlier this season but his best individual result so far this season was third in the GS Metro 26.

In warm and dry conditions the 34-year-old was not to be denied finishing 43 seconds ahead of quickest veteran on scratch John Bowman Muckle Cycle Club in 27-36. In a close battle between team-mates Darren Robson (Muckle Cycle Club) was third a further two seconds back (27-38).

Spindata had predicted Wilkinson to finish second in 28-25 but in reality he took 1-32 off that time to set a new course record.

“This is a fantastic course in a beautiful part of the district,” said Wilkinson. “It’s on nice quiet roads with some rolling hills and is fast and quite technical.

“It suits riders who don’t have to have consistent power on the likes of dual carriageway courses. 

“Today’s event was extremely well organised and marshalled – my thanks to everyone concerned today.  It was nice that so many made the effort to travel to the event this morning, particularly for such a worthwhile cause and to ensure that Mark’s memory lives on”.

The charity event saw proceeds going to Maggie’s, Newcastle, a Cancer Support Charity in memory of a much-loved Velo Culture rider Mark Strang.  

In the women’s competition, veteran rider McAleer from the host club Velo Culture, secured the win with a ride time of 32-54.

McAleer also won the Sunderland Clarion 25 last month and the 40-year-old added another win to her collection on this occasion.

In second place was Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) in 33-02 and in third a further 28 seconds back was Jen McMahon (Jadan Vive Le Velo) who stopped the clock in 33-30.

The road bike competition saw a one-two for GS Metro riders with Alexander Storey winning in 28-27 exactly a minute ahead of team-mate Joshua Hodgson in 29-27.

Mal Gray, also riding for host club Velo Culture, completed the men’s road bike podium positions stopping the clock in 32-45.

The women’s road bike competition was won by Teri Bayliss (Reifen Racing) who stopped the clock in 34-49 ahead of Celia Michie (Alnwick Cycling Club) in second (35-44), while Maria Farrow-Tait (Alnwick & District Triathlon Club) finished third (44-46).

Junior and juvenile riders were competing in the National Youth Championship district heat event over a shortened M13 course (approximately 8.4 miles).

Junior rider Harris Hall (Velo Culture) was the quickest recording a time of 19-23, before starting last in the main event only to snap his chain.

Juvenile Mason Bulfin (Manilla Cycling) was second overall in 21-27, while the only girl rider was Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC) who covered the course in 22-54.

Winning the junior road bike category was Aidan Raftery (North Shields Poly) in 23-42.

Results:

Men:

1          Terry Wilkinson           GTR - Return To Life P/B Streamline            26:53

2          John Bowman Muckle Cycle Club     27:36

3          Darren Robson            Muckle Cycle Club     27:38

4          John Routledge           GTR - Return To Life P/B Streamline            27:46

5          Phil Hall          Velo Culture    28:19

6          Zach Haigh     Barnesbury CC           28:25

Women:

1          Adele McAleer            Velo Culture    32:54

2          Louise Burnie Blaydon CC    33:02

3          Jen McMahon Jadan Vive Le Velo     33:30

4          Frances Wilde Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 36:07

5          Victoria Curry Berwick Wheelers Cycling Club        37:07

6          Michelle Highfield      Berwick Wheelers Cycling Club        37:25

Juniors/Juveniles (8.4 miles):

1          Harris Hall      Velo Culture    19:23

2          Mason Bulfin  Manilla Cycling          21:27

3          Freya Johnson Gosforth RC   22:54

4          Aidan Raftery  North Shields Polytechnic Club         23:42

Girl: Freya Johnson    Gosforth RC   22:54

Road bike: Aidan Raftery       North Shields Polytechnic Club         23:42

Road bikes:

Men:

1          Alexander Storey        GS Metro         28:27

2          Joshua Hodgson          GS Metro         29:27

3          Mal Gray         Velo Culture    32:45

4          Lester Grant    Durham City Velo       33:31

5          Stephen Cowell           Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 37:19

6          Tony Jackson  Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 37:25

Women:

1          Teri Bayliss     Reifen Racing 34:49

2          Celia Michie    Alnwick Cycling Club            35:44

3          Maria Farrow-Tait       Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 44:46

4          Grazia Calvert Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 52:59