David Fellows (Solihull CC) and Alice Taylor (Congleton CC) were rewarded for their victories in the Buxton CC/Sett Valley Cycles events over 33 and 22 miles with a holiday stay prize.

The men’s and women’s winners who battled wet conditions won a five-day stay in Riccione, Italy, courtesy of event sponsors Hotel Milano Helvetia, with full board and guided cycle tours. 

Tough weather conditions and rain throughout made for hard racing in the Buxton CC Mountain Time Trial.

There was a tough headwind on the most exposed section of the course along Morridge Top at 1,500 feet altitude, then a troublesome crosswind on the main descent towards Longnor.

Riders were helped by a tailwind up the big climb towards Flash Bar.

The 11-mile course was completed three times by the men (33 miles) and twice (22 miles) by the women and veterans.

In the senior men’s event there were just three starters from 13 entrants, such were the conditions.

Fellows won the Rivington hill climb and tough Fibrax Wrexham RC hilly event over 32 miles on Horseshoe Pass Mountain recently and was once again victorious clocking a time of one hour, 30 minutes and 31 seconds.

Fellows finished over 22 minutes faster than second-placed rider Joseph Molyneaux (Congleton CC) who clocking 1-53-03.

Also fastest rider on a road bike was Molyneaux.

Over the two-lap women’s event (22 miles) Taylor clocked a winning time of one hour, 16 minutes and 50 seconds on a road bike.

It was Taylor’s first ever open time trial victory after finishing 20th in the National-50 Mile Championship earlier this season.

Using her strength Taylor relished the tough conditions riding to victory and finishing almost four minutes clear of her rivals.

Host club rider Liz Batt was also on her road bike finishing second in 1-20-48 while Catherine Hughes (Ilkeston CC) finished third (1-25-54).

Thijs Geurts (Macclesfield Wheelers) was the quickest veteran clocking a winning time for the category of 1-08-06 on his road bike.

Jimmy Froggatt (SKCC) finished second over two minutes back in 1-10-47, his ride was made even more impressive by the fact he rode out and back from Stockport, a tough ride given the weather and with Long Hill and Axe Edge having to be climbed just to reach the headquarters.

Riding his time trial machine Andy Hicklin (Peak RC) was third veteran rider clocking a time of 1-11-09.

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

Results:

Men over 33 miles

1. David Fellows (Solihull CC) 1:30:31

2. Joseph Molyneaux (Congleton CC) 1:53:03

3. Gareth Haines (Race Hub) 2:05:52

Women over 22 miles

1. Alice Taylor (Congleton CC) 1:16:50

2. Liz Batt (Buxton CC / Sett Valley cycles) 1:20:48

3. Catherine Hughes (Ilkeston CC) 1:25:54

Veterans over 22 miles

1. Thijs Geurts (Macclesfield Wheelers) 1:08:06

2. Jimmy Froggatt (SKCC) 1:10:47

3. Andy Hicklin (Peak RC) 1:11:09