Chris Gibbard earned a second win of the season with success in the open category at the Port Talbot Wheelers 10-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon, with Ella Barnwell finishing as quickest female.

Riding for FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team, Gibbard clocked 20-23 to take top ranking ahead of Veloflow CC’s Neil Lewis in 21-40, while a time of 22-09 helped Paul Hayward (Pontypool Road CC) to the final spot on the podium.

On his win, Gibbard said: “I haven’t ridden my TT bike much this year as I’ve been doing some bunch racing so I was keen to see how much work there is to do with some big goals in June/July.

“Despite the cold temperatures I think I averaged 33mph on the out leg so I knew it was going to be super hard on the way back which it proved to be!

“In my only other event this year I tied for first so it was nice to get my first outright win for my new team FTP racing.”

In the women’s event Barnwell, riding for VMCC powered by Y Beic, led the field in 22-25 which was good enough for seventh overall, while Pembrokeshire Velo’s Bethan Ousley managed 24-33 and  Emma Davies (Port Talbot Wheelers) took third place in 25-20.

“It was a cold and windy day in Neath,” said Barnwell. “It’s my second TT back from injury so I was just going into the race for some race experience ready for Nationals.

“We had a mega tail wind out which felt awesome! The head wind on the way back was brutal especially with a gradual gradient back to the finish.

“I’m really happy with my ride and my time. Looking forward to the next one. And thanks to Port Talbot Wheelers for putting on a great and safe event!”

Fastest team of three went to the Tridents, with fourth-placed James McGrath (22-14) joined by James Jones (23-58) and Martin Lightwood (24-12) to seal victory.

Rob Cowell (Ogmore Valley Wheelers) was the leading male road bike in 22-15, while a time of 28-40 ensured Andrea Parish (Velosistas TT Team) finished as fastest female road bike.

Huw Cressy-Rogers (VMCC Powered By Y Beic) was also fastest junior in 22-58, with veteran on standard going to Gibbard in +5-50

Riders enjoyed cool and windy conditions but faced a headwind on the return, while it just about stayed dry for the duration.

This event, run on the R10/22A course, is an out and-back circuit that starts just north of Resolven in the Vale of Neath Business Park, heading northbound, turning at the roundabout and then turning southeast bound on the A465 past Clyne until reaching Aberdulais, where riders then turn and retrace the route back to Resolven roundabout, finishing on Canal Car Park.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Chris Gibbard (FTP Fulfil The Potential Race Team)  20.23

2. Neil Lewis (Veloflow CC)       21.40

3. Paul Hayward (Pontypool Road CC) 22.09

4. James McGrath (The Tridents)             22.14

5. Rob Cowell (Ogmore Valley Wheelers)           22.15

6. Graham Rogerson (Port Talbot Wheelers CC)              22.22

7. Ella Barnwell (VMCC powered by Y Beic)       22.25

8. Rob Jones (Merthyr CC)          26.36

9. Philip Turner (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)      22.33

10. Gerry Bowditch (Pontypool Road CC)           22.36

11. Andrew Raistrick (Towy Riders)        22.42

Female:

1. Ella Barnwell (VMCC powered by Y Beic)       22.25

2. Bethan Ousley (Pembrokeshire Velo)              24.33

3. Emma Davies (Port Talbot Wheelers)               25.20

4. Andrea Parish (Velosistas TT Team)  28.40

5. Marie Fowler (Celtic Tri)         36.36