Beacon Wheelers’ veteran Craig Horseman was 26 seconds ahead of his nearest rival as he took victory in the Border City Wheelers hilly time trial in Cumbria, while Deborah Moss (Team Merlin) was fastest female.

The event was switched from the scheduled L291 course because of a road closure at Hasket Newmarket, so instead used the nearby L321 course near Dalton which takes in Caldbeck, Hesket Newmarket and Segburgham.

47-year-old Horseman – who had celebrated his birthday the day before - clocked 1-21-37 to win from Horwich CC rival David Powell, while third spot went to Alistair McNicol (Dooleys RT) who was another 38 seconds back.

Meanwhile Deborah Moss, the 51-year-old from Wrightington, clocked 1-35-16 and was the only female rider to tackle the testing course.

Occasional showers and rough country roads in some areas made conditions testing for all riders, but times were impressive throughout the field.

Top seed Peter Greenwood (Clayton Velo) turned up to the event in the hope he would feel okay to ride, but the after effect of his Covid jab the day before took it’s toll and he decided not to take part.

The best finisher for the promoting club was Lee Davidson, Border City Wheelers, in 1:25:20 to finish 11th.

Below the top three, Tom Broadbent (HD Revolutions0 was 26 seconds off a podium place with 1-23-07, while veteran Ben Harrison (Crimson Orientation Marketing RT) was fifth, another five seconds back.

This was Horseman’s first open time trial win of the season so far having previously placed ninth in the VC Cumbria 10 and 15th in the Beacon Wheelers charity 10 in April.

He will be hoping for more success in the third round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series event next Sunday, the circuit of Greystoke Forest.

Meanwhile Moss is next due to be in action in the Lancashire Road Club 10 next Saturday, as well as the Southport CC 10 the following weekend.

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