Danny Axford (Artic Tacx) showed his climbing ability again to retain his title in the rolling Oxonian 36 winning by two and a half minutes.

The 42-year-old, from Oxford (pictured), who celebrated his birthday two days earlier also won the event last year and posted a winning time of one hour 26 minutes and 36 seconds on this occasion.

His time was somewhat slower than the 1:24.27 course record he set last year.

“Last year’s result was the best ride I had all year and I don’t know where I pulled it out from,” said Axford following the victory.

“I was going a bit better last year but that ride was a bit of an anomaly. My winter was disappointing this year as I was off the bike for a month around Christmas time after being hit by a car on my way home from work.

“That hampered my training a bit so I am a bit behind last year.”

The rolling terrain and gradual climbs around the two laps of 18-mile circuit suits Axford who has had past success in road races.

On this occasion, he beat Richard Gildea (Didcot Phoenix) into second with a time of 1:29.19 while Daniel Ryan (North Road CC) finished third in 1:31.29.

It was Axford’s first win of the season after he finished second veteran in the first round of the CTT series in Southampton.

He added: “I do like this course and the rolling climbs aren’t too challenging.

“I quite like lumpier courses to be honest and would pick a sporting course over a drag strip.”

Axford will now compete in the second round of the CTT series in Buxton on Good Friday.

In the women’s event Michelle Lee (Bicester Millennium CC) beat a strong field to victory clocking a time of 1:49.42.

She beat Oxonian rider Tracy Makin into second who just beat the two-hour mark setting a time of 1:59.28.

Fastest team was home club Oxonian thanks to counting riders Pete Oliver, Chris Edginton and Paul Warren.

Axford was fastest veteran, Paul Watts (North Hampshire) won the 50-59 prize and Glenn Longland (Antelope RT) won the 60-69 in preparation on his World Masters bid in Auckland.

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

Results:

1 Danny Axford (Artic Tacx) 1:26.36

2 Richard Gildea (Didcot Phoenix) 1:29.19

3 Daniel Ryan (North Road CC) 1:31.29

Woman: Michelle Lee (Bicester Millennium CC) 1:49.42

Veteran 40-49: Danny Axford

Veteran 50-59: Paul Watts (North Hampshire) 1:32.40

Veteran 60-69: Glenn Longland (Antelope RT) 1:35.43

Team: Oxonian CC