Andrew Grant (Cambridge CC) and Angela Carpenter (…a3crg) charged to clear victories in the men’s and women’s categories respectively in the VTTA National 50 Mile Championship.

Grant, aged 68, took individual and group honours on the day with his ride of one hour, 47 minutes and 54 seconds equating to a standard time of +42.38.

However, it was Carpenter who took overall victory beating Grant with the 52-year-old stopping the clock in 1-46-34 which gave her a standard of +46.20 to win the women’s event.

The F2/50 course saw riders complete four laps of an out and back loop of the flat A428 dual carriageway between Cambourne and Cambridge.

Conditions were perfect for fast times with virtually no wind for the early starters which rose slightly to a very light south westerly breeze as the morning developed.

Local rider Grant, from Cambridge, took the men’s honours with his +42.38 faster than Keith Ainsworth (Sheffrec CC) in second (+39.08) while Neil Mackley (…a3crg) completed the podium positions in third (+37.34).

Grant was joined by Jackie Field and Ian Hope in the East Anglian team that won the group rankings.

Meanwhile a3crg won the team rankings consisting of Carpenter, Neil Mackley and James Fawcett.

“I was pleased to beat Keith (Ainsworth) as he has dominated the veteran categories for a couple of years,” said Grant.

“I won the VTTA 30 in 2018 but didn’t bother traveling last year. But with this one being on my doorstep I thought I better get up for it.

“The 50 seems to be becoming my best distance. I don’t go as fast as I used to over the shorter distances but don’t seem to slow down as much.”

Carpenter, from Chichester in West Sussex, also won the VTTA National 15 earlier this season and added the 50 title to her collection.

Jackie Field (CC Ashwell) was pushing Carpenter for victory all the way and eventually finished third overall and second woman in +41.23 after posting a time of 1-53-54.

Claire Emons (Newbury RC) completed the top three positions finishing in a time of 1-54-58 which equated to +37.56.

Posting the fastest time of the day and adding another title to their collection in the tandem category was the Newbury Velo pairing of Rachael Elliott and Ian Greenstreet who clocked 1-41-34 which equated to +38.02.

They beat the Sotonia CC pair of Norman Harvey and Mary Corbett into second (+33.36).

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

Results

Men
1 Andrew Grant (Cambridge CC) +42.38
2 Keith Ainsworth (Sheffrec CC) +39.08
3 Neil Mackley (…a3crg) +37.34

Women
1 Angela Carpenter (…a3crg) +46.20
2 Jackie Field (CC Ashwell) +41.23
3 Claire Emons (Newbury RC) +37.56

Group: East Anglia

Team: a3crg

Tandem: Rachael Elliott & Ian Greenstreet (Newbury Velo) +38.02