Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) took a close victory by just two seconds in the Eastern Counties CA 10-mile Championship, while Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) paced her way to victory in the women’s event on Saturday.

Pardoe had finished second in his two previous open events both of which took place in Northampton, but this time out he finished on top of the podium and was able to set a new 10-mile personal best, beating his previous best by just one second. He clocked 18:33 to top the field and finish as fastest veteran overall.

Paul Hart (Hart Performance Coaching) and Jonny Allen (Islington Cycling Club) were the two riders that trailed the winner to finish off the virtual podium, Hart coming in just two seconds off the pace at 18:35 and Allen stopping the clock at 18:52.

42-year-old Hart would’ve been hoping to top off his birthday celebrations from the day prior with a win here but he was unable to best eventual winner Pardoe. He did however claim back-to-back podium finishes as on his last open event he came top of the pack in a 50-mile time trial.

Allen was also setting a new personal best, smashing his previous best of 19:20 over this distance. This was his first podium finish of the season, making it also his higher finish of the year, he will be hoping to carry form into the Okehampton 10-mile event that he is scheduled to take place in next week.

In the women’s event it was 44-year-old Cheshunt-based Louise Robinson that took top spot, finishing the course in 21:31 which was just short of a minute quicker than the second-placed rider.

It took a personal best of 22:26 for second-placed Karen Aylen (Maldon & District CC) to beat her nearest rival who followed behind just 13 seconds later. Sue Rust (Kettering CC) clocked in at 22:39 to claim the final podium spot.

The time of 22:26 was another personal best on the day, veteran Aylen before this event had a personal best time of 24:23 over 10 miles.

The E2/10 out and back course travels south down the A11 before riders are directed to turn at the Fourwentways roundabout and re-trace their tracks back to the finish.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) 18:33

2. Paul Hart (Hart Performance Coaching) 18:35

3. Jonny Allen (Islington Cycling Club) 18:52

4. Ben Stancombe (Peterborough CC) 18:53

5. Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) 18:56

=6. Rafal Radziej (Ciclos Uno) 19:24

=6. Matt Steel (Shaftesbury CC) 19:24

Women:

1. Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) 21:31

2. Karen Aylen (Maldon & District CC) 22:26

3. Sue Rust (Kettering CC) 22:39

4. Deborah Beare (Icknield RC) 22:47

5. Julia Freeman (Easterley RC) 22:48

6. Miriam Taylor-Carter (Bedfordshire Road CC) 22:56

Tandem:

1. Glenn Taylor & Neil Dowie (Shorter Rochford RT) 19:12

2. Christopher & Joanne York (Maldon & District CC) 23:10