Simon McNamara raced to his third open time trial victory in as many months as he recorded the fastest time at the 15-mile course in Steyning, while Olivia Webb was the quickest of the women beating her team mate Erica Martin from Eastbourne Rovers CC.

The event was marred however by a collision between two cars within 30 yards of the finish line, which led to the event being abandoned and 12 riders not finishing.

The G15/92 course starts at Sandhill Lane before the cyclists travel south-east via the Steyning by-pass. They cycle through Steyning and then to Shoreham-by-sea, where they turn back on themselves and travel the same route back to the finish on Steyning Road.

McNamara, the 45-year-old from Henfield, rides for HuntBikeWheels.com and clocked a time of 30:56. Over all distances, this was McNamara’s third consecutive victory at the Sussex CA. He finished 12 seconds clear of second placed Matt Smith from Team TMC, although Simon reckons his brother Chris would beaten him if he had been able to finish the race!

36-year-old Smith has been ultra-consistent in recent months, having only finished outside the top 10 once in his last 11 starts. He finished one second ahead of Andy Critchlow from Norwood Paragon CC who completed the top three.

Olivia Webb was the best of the women competing, clocking a time of 38:18. Her team-mate Erica Martin finished second with a time of 44:27.

This was 56-year-old Webb’s third start since the restart of racing and her first victory since March.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Tom Barrass.

Results:

Men:

1 Simon McNamara (HuntBikeWheels.com)                 30:56

2 Matt Smith (Team TMC)                                             31:08

3 Andy Critchlow (Norwood Paragon CC)                     31:09

4 Stuart Bettis (South Downs Bikes)                               31:51

5 Mark Smith (Crawley Whls)                                        31:53

6 Colin McDermott (Festival RC)                                   32:05

7 Steve Kane (Team TMC)                                              32:18

8 Kevin Nelson (Crawley Whls.)                                     32:20

9 Lawrence Coyle (South Downs Bikes)                         33:33

10 Robert Durnford (Paceline RT)                                   33:44

Women:

1 Olivia Webb (Eastbourne Rovers CC)                          38:18

2 Erica Martin (Eastbourne Rovers CC)                          44:27