Chris Fennell (The Independent Pedaler - Nopinz) broke the course record in the Thanet RC 10-mile time trial near Herne Bay, as did team-mate Alex Clay to win the women’s event.

25-year-old Fennell clocked 18:03 to win his 14th consecutive open event, making it a win at every event that he has participated in this year. The last time he failed to win an open event was October of 2020.

A duo of riders from the promoting club (Thanet RC) followed behind, Dan Martin a minute behind the pace finishing in 19:22 and Paul Burrows with 20:35 to fill up the podium and secure title of the quickest veteran on the day.

“I was very happy with the race, the weather conditions were nearly perfect and I had a clean run through the roundabouts and paced it well,” said Fennell.

“It was nice to improve my course record by one second, while it would have been great to push the course record under 18 minutes, the one second was all I had today, but this was great preparation ahead of the National 25.”

Fennell continued an impressive run as earlier mentioned, meanwhile Martin continued his own run of form, securing five back-to-back podium finishes over the 10-mile distance, on a run that began back in 2019.

Thanet RC team-mate Burrows had been yet to finish on the podium this season, narrowly missing out a couple of times, but not this time as he improved on his previous season highest finish of fifth.

The Q10/30 out and back course begins near Hawthorne Corner and runs down the A299, it goes along Thanet Way until the riders reach Monkton roundabout where they head back home.

In the women’s event it was 25-year-old Alex Clay (The Independent Pedaler - Nopinz) that claimed top spot, clocking in at 20:15 to finish on the podium for yet another time this season. She finished over four minutes ahead of the closest competition.

“Thanet events are always well run and friendly with great officials and marshals so it’s a pleasure to race so close to home,” said Clay. “I was pleased with my ride as we are building towards the National 25 and 50 next month so I’ve been focusing on holding my position.

“It’s good putting it to practice with a number pinned on my back. It’s also a great day when I get to share the podium with my coach Chris.”

In second place was Tanya Scott-Nason (Thanet RC) who clocked in at 24:31, Tracy Wilkinson-Begg (TWB - On Time Racing Team) took the final spot on the podium, finishing the course in 25:19.

The fastest junior rider of the event was 12-year-old Abbey Thompson (Suffolk Youth RT), while 50-year-old Scott-Nason was the quickest veteran in the women’s event.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Neral Buckley.