The cream of the crop descended on Cumbria this time 12 months ago, for the penultimate round of the Sigma Sport Classic Time Trial Series.

Rewarded for making the journey north was Dan Bigham (Ribble Pro Cycling) who took a course record of one hour and 11 seconds for two laps of the circuit of Greystoke Forest, nearly four and a half minutes quicker than the previous mark.

Bigham had to hold his nerve during some sketchy moments as rain on technical sections of the course tested his cornering ability.

Team-mate John Archibald had to settle for second 1-27 behind while the talented Chris Fennell (The Independent Pedaler), finished third in 1-03-08.

Despite competing over the shorter 14-mile distance the conditions were equally as challenging with Emily Meakin (The Independent Pedaler) who ran out a convincing victor in 36-21.

Christina Wiejak (Team Jadan-Weldtite) finished second place in 37-20 while Fiona Burnie (GS Metro) gave her series chances a boost with a third-place finish (37-55).

Riders took advantage of the Bank Holiday weekend with races on all three days.

Those traveling up to Cumbria for Sunday’s Sigma Sport event took advantage of the Lancashire RC 10 at Levens being held the previous day.

Fennell was able to turn the tables over the shorter distance clocking 18-19 to beat Bigham into second by ten seconds, while Meakin made it a double weekend to win the women’s race in 20-08.

On the same day in Nottinghamshire Adam Duggleby took the win in the Mapperley CC 10, his time of 18-56 beating Matt Bottrill (Team Bottrill) by just over a minute.

Meanwhile, Karen Ledger (Ace Test Team) broke the women’s course record by over a minute on her way to victory clocking 21-25.

In South Wales on the Sunday, Marcin Bialoblocki (Nopinz) stretched his legs in the Bynea CC 25 and knocked a minute and a half of the course record in the process.

The multi-time national champion powered across the finish line in 48-11, while home club rider Rachel Parkinson took the women’s event in 1-14-21.

In Hampshire over the longer distance of 100 miles, Mark Smith (Crawley Wheelers) took top spot in a time of 3-34-29, while Drag2Zero rider Vicky Gill showed her endurance to finish first woman in 4-00-38.

At the opposite end of the country, Gemma Frost (Team Swift) and Graham Crammond (Physiohaus) were fastest female and male riders in the Gosforth Road Club 25 near Stamfordham, Northumberland.

Bank Holiday Monday saw several events take place, with the classic Anfield BC 100-mile event in Shropshire topping the bill.

Chris Murray (Army Cycling) was in fine form clocking a new women’s course record clocking 4-11-07 despite breezy conditions.

Fastest male was Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC) who covered the course in 3-39-44.

It was a good May Bank Holiday for the McNamara brothers who took a one-two in Brighton Mitre CC’s 10.

Simon (South Downs Bikes) took top spot and bragging rights in 19-42 for the win while Chris (Nuun-Sigma Sport) was ten seconds back in second. Anna Dwyer (Lewes Wanderers) was the quickest woman.

Finally, Drag2Zero riders Liz Powell and Matthew Smith were fastest female and male riders respectively at the Lovelo Racing 50-mile time trial in Bedfordshire.

Powell, from Kenilworth, set a new course record with a time of 1-55-21, while Smith finished in 1-40-46 to take the men’s win by 1-17.

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