Jenkins and Aylen charge to victories in Maldon & District CC 10
James Jenkins (Richardsons-Trek RT) took a close victory by just 14 seconds in the Maldon & District CC 10-mile time trial in Essex, while the promoting club’s own Karen Aylen comfortably won the women’s event.
22-year-old Jenkins was looking to bounce back after failing to finish the National Circuit Championship last weekend. That is exactly what he did, achieving his second win of the season here in 19:57, a time just three seconds off of his personal best.
Conditions were favourable for riders on the E21/10 taking place on the out and back B1021 course just east of Steeple.
Neil Hughes (Velo Schils Interbike RT) and Simon Alexander (Richardson-Trek RT) were the following riders in the men’s event, filling up the podium with times of 20:11 and 22:45 respectively.
Hughes claimed his first podium of the season and his highest placed finish since March of last year. The veteran, who has only competed in open time trials three times this year so far, managed to make this his most impressive outing by setting a personal best time over ten miles and also taking home the prize for quickest veteran on the day.
In the women’s event it was veteran Aylen who was a clear victor taking her first win of the season over ten miles in 24:58, which was just shy of two minutes quicker than her nearest rival.
Last time out the 50-year-old Aylen was forced to take second place despite going quicker over this distance, but this time she turned things around and made sure it was her taking home the prize for winning the women’s event.
Jan Harvey (Southend Wheelers) was the woman in second, clocking in at 26:56.
Harvey has participated in three events this season, this being the first over 10 miles, so she will be happy with the podium finish.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Neral Buckley.