Adam Robertson (University of Bath Cycling Club) and Rebekah Nash (Will Houghton Racing Team) battled against tough conditions to take victories in their respective categories during the North Road CC 25-mile time trial in Bedfordshire on Saturday.

Just 28 out of 86 entered riders decided to make the start line in Bedfordshire as windy conditions greeted competitors although the rain did relent for those brave enough.

Robertson, aged 21 and from St Albans, charged around the course despite the conditions and clocked a winning time of 53 minutes and 47 seconds.

The F14/25 saw riders complete just over two laps of a looped course in the Bedfordshire countryside near Biggleswade.

Starting near Wrestlingworth riders past through the finish to Guilden Morden before turning and heading through Wendy to briefly join the A1198 and then turning onto the B1042 back to the start to complete the lap.

With the wind blowing in a south easterly direction the back part of the course was particularly difficult with a headwind for a six-mile straight section of the course.

Robertson also won the London Phoenix 9.2 the previous week took his second win of the season in fine style.

He also placed fourth in the Finsbury Park 25 last month on the same course going over a minute faster on that occasion in calmer conditions.

Veteran Michael Schofield (Bishop's Stortford CC) led the chase behind posting a time of 57-46 ahead of fellow vet Tim Davies (CC Luton) in 1-00-09.

Third veteran on the day was Simon Bowller (Berkhamsted Cycling Club) in fifth overall (1-02-08).

“The weather wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” said Robertson.

“It was quite hard to handle the bike at some points. The tricky but was a stretch on the main road into a headwind.

“Also there were sheltered and exposed sections so you had to try and stay upright at times. The alternative was training in that weather which would have been worse in my opinion.”

In the women’s event 23-year-old Nash was also a convincing victor posting a winning time of 1-06-24 – some seven minutes clear of her nearest competitor.

It was Nash’s first victory of the season after finishing fourth in last week’s Leo 30.

Behind the battle for second saw veteran Alison Fox (Ely & District CC/B&T Motor Repairs) finish in 1-13-52 ahead of Liz Dickinson (Team Trident) in 1-15-23.

Second veteran woman was Jo Parker (Team Milton Keynes) in 1-43-04 while Brenda Bozwood Davies (Team Trident) was third (1-46-58).

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

Results

1 Adam Robertson (University of Bath Cycling Club) 53.47             

2 Michael Schofield (Bishop's Stortford CC) 57.46

3 Tim Davies (CC Luton) 01:00:09

4 Chris Debonnaire (London Fields Triathlon Club) 01:01:47

5 Simon Bowller (Berkhamsted Cycling Club) 01:02:08

6 John O'Gorman (Team Trident) 01:03:58

7 Duncan Godfrey (Team Trident) 01:04:33

8 Simon McCartney (CC London) 01:04:58

9 Simon Broadway (Islington Cycling Club) 01:05:38

10 Pepi  Reeves (Herts Rouleurs Racing Club) 01:05:38

Women

1 Rebekah Nash (Will Houghton Racing Team) 01:06:24

2 Alison Fox (Ely & District CC/B&T Motor Repairs) 01:13:52

3 Liz Dickinson (Team Trident) 01:15:23