Alex Pickering (Elysium Kalas Race Team) and Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers) continued their fine form by taking wins at the North Road CC 25.

Taking part in his first open 25-mile event of the season Pickering set a benchmark for the season with a winning time of 54 minutes and 16 seconds.

Meanwhile, Creamer took her second consecutive victory of the season in the women’s event, finishing over four minutes clear of her nearest competitor.

The F14/25 saw competitors start near Wrestlingworth before completing two laps of a 25-mile loop in Bedfordshire.

The course saw riders head out past the finish to Guilden Morden and across to Wendy before briefly joining the A1198, and then heading back to Wrestlingworth.

Pickering, aged 21, came into the event on top form having won three open events this season and placing third at the National Road Bike Championship.

The Elysium Kalas Race Team rider was pushed all the way for victory with Luke Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team) finishing just 16 seconds behind in 54-32.

Fellow TMG Horizon Cycling Team rider Ross Clarke completed the podium positions in 54-52, while quickest veteran on scratch Oliver Mytton (Verulam CC) was a further 27 seconds back.

Best veteran on standard was Roger Porter (Verulam CC) with his finishing time of 1-06-33 equating to +13:44.

“I’m really happy to have taken the win, with it being my first 25-mile on a time trial bike,” said Pickering.

“During the ride I was facing some difficulties with my position, having changed it a few days before, but managed to push through the pain.

“The conditions were ideal with fairly light winds but the heat was more noticeable this week, adding an extra challenge.

“For me it was good preparation for some longer time trials and future goals on the calendar.”

Creamer started her open time trial campaign with victory in the VTTA London & Home Counties 10 last weekend and made it two from two in Bedfordshire.

Elspeth Grace (Cambridge CC) led the battle behind finishing second in 1-04-26, while Emily Young (Willesden Triathlon Club) placed third stopping the clock in 1-05-35.

Quickest in the road bike category was Mike Debney (Verulam Really Moving) who covered the 25-mile course in 56-11 which was good enough for fifth placed position overall.

Meanwhile, veteran Samantha Tophill (Team Trident) was the fastest woman on a road bike in 1-19-13.

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

Results

1 Alex Pickering (Elysium Kalas Race Team)           54.16

2 Luke Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team)           54.32  

3 Ross Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team)            54.52

4 Oliver Mytton (Verulam CC)          55.19

5 Mike Debney (Verulam Really Moving)     56.11

6 Matthew Rowe (Hitchin Nomads CC)        58.17

Quickest veteran: Oliver Mytton (Verulam CC)        55.19

Fastest Veteran on standard: Roger Porter (Verulam CC) +13:44

Road bike: Mike Debney (Verulam Really Moving)  56.11

Women:

1 Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers)         59.48

2 Elspeth Grace (Cambridge CC)       1:04.26

3 Emily Young (Willesden Triathlon Club)    1:05.35

4 Ivana Prokopova (North Road Cycling Club)         1:10.25

5 Ann Tryssesoone (Stevenage CC)   1:12.00

6 Samantha Tophill (Team Trident)    1:19.13