Ashley Cox (Team Bottrill) took his opening victory of the season in the Welwyn Wheelers Cycling Club Hilly 31.1 beating his own course record, while professional triathlete Lucy Charles (Hoddesdon Tri Club) won the women’s event once again.

Cox, aged 37 and from Biggleswade, held the course record of 1-09-41 set in 2019 but despite less favourable conditions showed his improvement knocking over a minute off his previous mark to win in 1-08-38.

The sporting Welwyn Wheelers Cycling Club Hilly 31.1 saw a stellar field of 113 riders complete one small lap followed by a bigger loop around the North Hertfordshire countryside on a course which tested strength and technical ability.

“I was pleased with it,” said Cox. “I have done that event the last five times as I live fairly local and train on those roads so know them like the back of my hand.

“It’s the fourth time I’ve won it. It’s a sporting course with lots of lefts, rights, ups and downs so knowing the course is a big advantage.

“With the speed of time trials these days and pushing the limits, knowing when you can press on the pedals is an advantage.

“My goal was to win and beat my course record from two years ago. That was set in perfect and warm conditions while this Good Friday it was six degrees so I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to beat it.”

Last season Cox took four victories and finished fifth in the National Circuit Championships and he hopes to improve on that position in national events this term.

Under-23 rider Sebastien Garry (Nopinz Motip Race Team) had beaten Cox on his way to third in the National Circuit Championships last season.

However, he had to settle for second on this occasion clocking 1-09-48 a further minute ahead of team-mate Ollie Hucks.

Joel Stewart (Team Ohten Aveas) was quickest veteran with his 1-13-30 good enough for fourth overall. Euan Woodliffe (Welwyn Whs) set a new junior course record with his time of 1-14-10 knocking four seconds off the previous best time.

Three-time Ironman World Championships silver medallist Charles returned to the event for a third time to win the women’s event.

Charles rode the last running of the event in perfect conditions in 2019 clocking a time of 1-20-41 to win on that occasion.

Despite going a minute slower on this occasion her time of 1-21-31 was three minutes quicker than her nearest challenger.

Under-23 rider Connie Hayes (Liv AWOL) took second in 1-24-38 while Elspeth Grace (Cambridge University CC) completed the podium positions in 1-25-41.

Ella Coleman (Liv AWOL) was quickest junior woman in 1-30-54 while Karine Jones (Verulam Really Moving) was fastest veteran woman in 1-31-11.

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

Results
1 Ashley Cox (Team Bottrill) 1:08.38
2 Sebastien Garry (Nopinz Motip Race Team) 1:09.48
3 Ollie Hucks (Nopinz Motip Race Team) 1:10.59
4 Joel Stewart (Team Ohten Aveas) 1:13.30
5 Adam Robertson (University of Bath CC) 1:13.33
6 Nicholas Candy (Finchley RT) 1:13.36
7 Sam Hucks (High Wycombe CC) 1:13.59
8 Euan Woodliffe (Welwyn Whs) 1:14.10
9 Andrew Hastings (Haste CC) 1:15.09
10 William Smith (Verulam CC) 1:15.19
Veteran: Joel Stewart (Team Ohten Aveas) 1:13.30
Junior: Euan Woodliffe (Welwyn Whs) 1:14.10
 

Women
1 Lucy Charles (Hoddesdon Tri Club) 1:21.31
2 Connie Hayes (Liv AWOL) 1:24.38
3 Elspeth Grace (Cambridge University CC) 1:25.41
Junior: Ella Coleman (Liv AWOL) 1:30.54
Veteran: Karine Jones (Verulam Really Moving) 1:31.11