Veteran Daniel Northover took a home victory for the organising club at the Finsbury Park CC 50, while Annette Lacey (Hemel Hempstead CC) took the women’s win at the event near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.

Northover, 42, set a new personal best time of 1-41-20 as good conditions favoured riders out and back along the A1.

His time was a new event record, breaking the previous best of 1-42-05 held by Gethin Butler since 1992.

Starting from near Tempsford riders travelled south, circled Biggleswade and completed two sharp climbs before turning for home and completing the loop once more.

Ross Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team) finished second on the same course in the Lovel Racing 50 in May. Despite going 12 seconds faster on this occasion, finishing in 1:41.51, he was 31 seconds slower than Northover and had to settle for second place again.

Fellow TMG Horizon Cycling Team rider and brother Luke Clarke took third over six minutes behind the winner. Along with dad Steve, they formed the winning team too.

“I think it’s a really under-rated course as two years ago the majority of the course was re-tarmacked so it’s a really smooth dual carriageway,” said Northover.

“It doesn’t really suit me as I’m a heavier rider but there is something about that course. There are a total of eight climbs to get over which breaks the ride up and gives you something to think about with carrying speed into them.

“I knew I was carrying form after a good performance at the National 50 last weekend but I knew I’d have my work cut out today against Ross Clarke who is a class act.

“I heard I was a bit down at the half-way point but that suited me as I had more in the tank and when I wanted to get more power it was there.

“I was so very happy with the win, a personal best and my name on my home club trophy; the first time since 1974!”

Taking the women’s victory was Annette Lacey (Hemel Hempstead CC) who clocked a winning time of two hours, 37 minutes and 16 seconds.

Lacey’s time was over 11 minutes slower than that she clocked in the Viking 50 on the E2/50C course last month but was good enough for victory.

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

Results:

1. Daniel Northover (Finsbury Park CC) 1:41.20

2. Ross Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team) 1:41.51

3. Luke Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team) 1:47.37

4. Carl Willis (Herts Rouleurs RC)     1:49.14

5. William Wallace (CC London)       1:52.24

6. John Lacey (Hemel Hempstead CC)          1:53.59

7. Andy Stuart (VC St Raphael)        1:54.59

8. Jason Stuart (Team Sales Engine)   1:55.31

9. Paul Bachini (Icknield RC)    1:55.36

10. Peter Richards (Icknield RC)         1:55.53

Women: Annette Lacey (Hemel Hempstead CC) 2:37.16