Ben Stead (3 RT) recorded a course record on his way to winning the Beacon Wheelers 14.9, while Henrietta Colborne (GT Krush Tunap) won the women’s category.

Stead, aged 38 and from Littleborough in Lancashire, clocked an average speed of more than 26.25 miles per hour on his way to recording a winning time of 34 minutes and three seconds.

A sunny day in North Cumbria led to some fast times and junior Adam Bent (Green Jersey CC) also set a new course record clocking 36-22.

The Lowther Loop, a sporting course time trial, was a charity event and saw riders complete a 14.9-mile circuit around the Cumbrian countryside.

Riders started and finished near Newtown before heading out to Askham and then south through Helton, Bampton and Rosgill before joining the A6 back north to the finish.

Stead got his season off to a flying start with a second place in the North Lancashire RC 10 last weekend in 20-44.

He went one better on this occasion taking his first win since September 2019.

On his first outing of the season scratch rider George Evans (Team Bottrill) had to settle for second, finishing 56 seconds back in 34-59.

A close battle for third place resulted in under-23 rider Tom Roper (Inflite-Dynamic Rides Race Team) clocking 35-26 which was nine seconds quicker than Richard Nesfield (Beacon Wheelers).

“It was a tough one and the most technical course I’ve ever done,” said Stead.

“The course was down windy lanes and with corners which would catch people out. There was also a kicker of a climb to get the legs burning.

“I’m very pleased with the result and I wasn’t expecting to win never mind the course record. I prefer the longer distances over 25 and 50 miles.

“I only started time trialling in 2019 and had previously been a mountain biker. Due to injuries I turned to road cycling.”

Despite Bent setting a new course record in the junior’s category he was pushed all the way by John Roberts (Garstang Cycling Club) who finished just 16 seconds back in 36-38.

Fastest juvenile was Jude Davidson from host club Beacon Wheelers in 41-15.

Quickest veteran was David Thompson (Rock to Roll CC) in 36-42 ahead of Sean Owens (Springfield Financial Racing Team) and Adrian Sowerby (Border City Whls) who shared second place in 38-25.

Meanwhile in the women’s event Colborne, who won the Velo Club Cumbria hill climb last season, was victorious on her first outing of the season in 41-05.

Under-23 rider Daisy Barnes (Brother UK – Team On Form) settled for second spot just 23 seconds back in 41-28 while Amy Gornall (Pro-Noctis - Redchilli Bikes - Heidi Kjeldsen) completed the podium positions (41-51).

Deborah Moss (Team Merlin) was quickest veteran woman in fourth just six seconds out of the women’s podium positions (41-57).

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