Phil Williams (Liverpool Phoenix CC) and Joscelin Lowden (The Independent Pedaler) were fastest male and female riders as Worcestershire staged round two of the Sigma Sports Classic Time Trial Series on Sunday morning.

Promoted by Beacon RCC, the 37-mile course was longer than that used for the first round and presented varied terrain, cold temperatures and some challenging winds.

33-year-old Williams clocked 1-29-44 to take the win by 32 seconds and break the old course record by more than a minute.

Round one winner Adam Wild (GS Metro) also broke the old course record with 1-30-16, but had to settle for second spot on this occasion, with Williams going one better than second behind Wild in the opening round a fortnight ago.

In the women’s event Lowden, 31 and from London, missed out on breaking Hayley Simmonds’ course record by around a minute, but still turned in an impressive performance to win by more than seven minutes.

Her time of 1-41-10 was 7-09 quicker than runner-up Victoria Smith (AeroCoach), while round one winner Kelly Murphy (Storey Racing) had to settle for third this time, just two seconds further back.

“I did better than I expected,” said Williams. “It’s always hard with it being so hilly to judge it and get your pacing right, but I think I got it right and all my gear changes went well.

“I was aiming to break the course record and was pleased that I went up the climbs better than I expected. At the start it was a bit chilly but once you got going it was fine and the wind was OK too.”

Williams plans to ride the third round in a fortnight on Good Friday, as well as two other rounds to allow him to secure four qualifying performances towards the overall series.

Lowden, who missed the opening round of the series as her time trial bike wasn’t ready for action, was pleased with the win despite missing out on the women’s course record.

“It would’ve been good to break Hayley’s record,” she said. “I was just outside that, but I had a pretty good ride and I can’t really be disappointed with it because it’s still super fast and the other girls are very strong, so to win by that margin is great.

“I had some problems with my hands getting cold, so I couldn’t really change gears or eat or drink. I should’ve worn gloves!

“The course is very cool! I drove round it the day before, and the climb in the middle is something like 17 per cent, although it felt worse in the car than on a bike."

Lowden also plans to ride four qualifying rounds to chase the overall series win, with Buxton CC event on Good Friday next in her sights.

In other categories, Danny Axford (Arctic Tacx) was fastest veteran with 1-34-51, while GS Metro’s Ben Lane was second in that category.

Round one junior winner Fabien Large (NOPINZ) suffered a mechanical problem in the latter stages of the event and was a non-finisher, while Arthur Boulton (Vision innovative Leisure) was the winner in 1-48-25.

And in the Paracyclists category, victory went to Nicholas Fairfield (City RC Hull0 with 2-15-29.

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

* A full gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here