Mark Sanders (Mid Devon Cycling Club) won his first VTTA National 50-Mile Championship, while Deborah Moss (Springfield Financial Racing Team) clinched the women’s title with a personal best.

Meanwhile, Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) was the quickest rider on scratch in 1-42-41 and Emma Wyatt (Hereford & Dist Whs CC) the fastest woman with a time of 1-57-58.

The VTTA National Championship was competed on age adjusted time with a gold medal and championship jersey on offer to the victor.

The R50/1B saw riders compete over two out-and-back laps between Abergavenny and Mitchel Troy along the A40 in Monmouthshire.

Overcast conditions greeted riders for the Saturday afternoon event but reasonably warm, dry and a largely still wind made for fast times.

Sanders, aged 65, from the Western district, posted a time of one hour, 51 minutes and 20 seconds which was reduced to a age adjusted time of 1-37-12.

Keith Dorling (Team Bottrill), also aged 65, was second on age adjusted time in 1-38-35.

Local rider Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) took bronze in the veterans’ category despite the 51-year-old posting the quickest time on scratch of 1-42-41 which was reduced to 1-38-43 on age adjusted.

The quickest VTTA Group Team was Midlands and Legato Racing won the team award.

“It went very well,” said Sanders, from Chudleigh in Devon. “I’ve done this course a few times but went a couple of minutes faster this time.

“I knew I was up against it as Anthony Jones normally wins, but I knew on standard I had a chance if I did a good ride.

“The course seems to suite me with the rises, descents and it’s a bit technical.

“I felt confident as I’ve been going quite well as I’ve done a few longer events like the Welsh 100 so knew I had the stamina it was just weather I had the speed.

“I went out on the first lap and then hung on. Coming back to Abergavenny the second time seemed quite hard, but it went to plan.

“I knew I could get close to the podium, but I was pleased to win. “

In the women’s veterans’ event on age adjusted time Moss, aged 54, was best on age adjusted time with her scratch effort of 1-58-54 second overall and reduced to 1-42-35.

Emma Wyatt (Hereford & Dist Whs CC) was quickest rider on scratch in 1-57-58 but second on age adjusted time with the 47-year-old’s time reduced to 1-44-00.

Completing the veteran’s podium position was Deborah Sheridan (...a3crg) with an age adjusted time of 1-44-22.

“It was good,” said Moss. “I did a personal best for 50 miles so I’m really happy with that. It wasn’t too warm or windy, it was just perfect conditions.

“I’m really happy with my personal best. I only entered at the last minute and thought that I’d give it a go.

“It’s my fifth veteran’s title and third over 50 miles, with my first one coming in 2018.”

The open competition was closely fought with Jones taking the open victory in 1-42-41 which was just eight seconds faster than Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King) in 1-42-49, while Oliver Bridgewood (Bath Cycling Club) placed third (1-44-14).

Quickest woman on scratch was Wyatt in 1-57-58, ahead of Moss in second (1-58-54) and Debbie Bowen (Newport and East Wales Triathlon Club) was third (2-04-10).

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

Results
Age adjusted time
1 Mark Sanders (Mid Devon Cycling Club)  1:37.12
2 Keith Dorling (Team Bottrill)          1:38.35
3 Anthony Jones  (VMCC powered by Y Beic)         1:38.43
4 Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team (LRT)         1:39.04
5 Simon Horsley (Legato Racing Team (LRT)          1:39.24
6 Angus Wilson (Dundee Thistle)       1:40.01
7 Malcolm Cox  (Velo Club St Raphael)        1:40.48
8 Simon Dighton  (Beacon Roads CC)          1:42.13
9 Steven Loraine (Legato Racing Team (LRT)          1:42.23
10 Tim Wood  (Team Echelon)           1:43.22

Women
1 Deborah Moss (Springfield Financial Racing Team)          1:42.35
2 Emma Wyatt  (Hereford & Dist Whs CC)   1:44.00
3 Deborah Sheridan (...a3crg) 1:44.22
4 Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team (LRT)            1:48.17
5 Gretchen Zoeller (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles)         1:53.47
6 Emma Davies (Port Talbot Whs CC)          1:57.51
7 Gabriela MacKinnon (Coventry Triathletes)            2:01.53
8 Jill Bartlett (Hounslow & District Whs)      2:08.34

VTTA Group Team: Midlands aggregate AAT of 5:03.40 (Joseph Costello 1:39:04, Simon Dighton 1:42:13, Steven Lorraine 1:43:23).

VTTA Club Team: Legato Racing aggregate AAT of 5:00.51 (Joseph Costello 1:39:04, Simon Dighton 1:42:13, Steven Lorraine 1:43:23).

Scratch
1 Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic)          1:42.41
2 Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King)  1:42.49
3 Oliver Bridgewood  (Bath Cycling Club)    1:44.14
4 Dean Callister (Aerologic RT)        1:44.34
5 Angus Wilson  (Dundee Thistle)      1:46.17
6 Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath Cycling Club) 1:46.34

Women
1 Emma Wyatt (Hereford & Dist Whs CC)    1:57.58
2 Deborah Moss (Springfield Financial Racing Team)          1:58.54
3 Debbie Bowen (Newport and East Wales Triathlon Club)  2:04.10
4 Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team (LRT)            2:07.10
5 Gretchen Zoeller (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles)         2:07.23
6 Deborah Sheridan (...a3crg) 2:14.41