Marcin Bialoblocki (NOPINZ) took a huge chunk off the 25-mile national competition record with a new benchmark of 42 minutes and 58 seconds, while Zach Bridges (Ribble Cycles) clocked 47-27 to break the junior record and Alice Lethbridge (Drag2Zero) won the women’s event.

Bialoblocki posted a time of 43.00 in the same event last season before being disqualified for riding in the middle of the dual carriageway but returned to clock a faster time on this occasion.

His previous competition record of 44.04 from 2016 stood going into the event on the notoriously fast R25/3H out and back on the A465 dual carriageway.

The Polish rider who now lives in Bridgwater set a blistering time of 42.58 but didn’t think it was the fastest day for a record. Tom Ward (Langdale Lightweights) was the closest to Bialoblocki finishing three and a half minutes behind in 46.27 with Ioan Smallwood (Cardiff Ajax CC) third in 46.53.

“It wasn’t very fast and was better in the early morning when I was following the rider conditions before the wind changed,” said Bialoblocki.

“Last year when I set the 43 minutes time the conditions were much better. I also got held up at one of the roundabouts this year and lost some time.

“But I’m happy especially with my power for the 43 minutes of effort, I’m very happy to set the time I did.”

Bialoblocki wasn’t the only rider to set a competition record as Bridges also broke the junior competition record for 25 miles, knocking over 30 seconds off the previous time of 48.01 to win the junior event.

After finishing sixth in the National 25 Championships last season, national 12-hour champion Lethbridge proved her form to take victory with a personal best winning time of 50.10 in the women’s category.

She beat second place Stephanie Post (Team Bottrill/Vanguard) time of 52.54 by almost three minutes with Rebecca Richardson (Hafren CC) finishing third in 54.54.

“I was pleased with a personal best but was frustrated to miss the 49-minute mark as I was on for it until the last couple of miles when my average speed plummeted,” said Lethbridge.

“I think if I get a bigger chainring then I could go faster down the hill at the start but I’m still pleased.”

Lethbridge plans to have another assault on the National Championships across the distances again this season and aims to do well in the BBAR.

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