Marcin Bialoblocki was just 13 seconds short of breaking his own national competition record, while Alice Lethbridge was fastest female at the Ogmore Valley Wheelers 25-mile time trial in South Wales on Sunday.

Bialoblocki, the 34-year-old Polish rider who lives in Bridgwater, clocked an impressive 44-16 to win the event by more than four and a half minutes with the second fastest time ever.

The NOPINZ rider actually covered the distance in 44-11, but with a five-second late start he was credited with a 44-16.

Second spot went to Cardiff Ajax rider Ioan Smallwood with 48-50, which was 23 seconds faster than third-placed Chris Gibbard (Bynea CC).

Fastest woman was reigning National 100-mile and National 12-hour champion Alice Lethbridge, who clocked 51-06 to win by 1-38 from DRAG2ZERO team-mate Vicky Gill, while third spot in the women’s event was Elizabeth Bennett (Team Jadan-Weldtite), 3-30 behind Lethbridge.

Conditions for the event on the R25/3h course were good but not perfect, with some light rain and a bit of a breeze giving most riders something to contend with.

The course starts in Rhigos before heading out to Hirwaun and then flying down the A465 through Glynneath and to a turn at Aberdulais, before retracing up the dual carriageway and finishing just beyond Glynneath.

The course is renowned as a fast one and always attracts riders from across the country in search of personal best times.

In other categories, 51-year-old Gavin MacDougall (Tavistock Wheelers) was the fastest veteran on standard with a time of 50-50 giving him a plus on age standard of +17.59.

Bristol South CC duo Joanna Knight and Andrew Legge were the fastest tandem with a time of 56-09, while 17-year-old Zach Bridges (Ribble Pro Cycling) was fastest junior with an impressive time of 49-37.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Marcin Bialoblocki (NOPINZ)       44.16

2. Ioan Smallwood (Cardiff Ajax CC)           48.50

3. Chris Gibbard (Bynea CC) 49.13

Women:

1. Alice Lethbridge (DRAG2ZERO) 51-06

2. Vicky Gill (DRAG2ZERO)           52.44

3. Elizabeth Bennett (Team Jadan-Weldtite)  54-36

Veterans on std: Gavin MacDougall (Tavistock Wheelers) (50-50)   +17.59

Tandems: Joanna Knight & Andrew Legge (Bristol South CC)        56-09

Juniors: Zach Bridges (Ribble Pro Cycling)   49-37