Both the men’s and women’s course records were broken on a sunny morning in Essex at the Eastern Counties CA 15-mile time trial near Leaden Roding.

Colin Ward (Essex Roads CC) set a new mark with a time of 31-01, which was 1-09 quicker than the previous best for the E91/15, beating Rob Young’s previous best from 2017.

And Karen Aylen (Maldon & District CC) clocked 37-29 to beat the old women’s record by 17 seconds. The previous best was also set in 2017, by Anna Dearing.

Ward’s time was 1-51 quicker than second-placed Paul Turton (Team Vision Racing), while third fastest overall was Rob Chaplin of East London Velo who was another 54 seconds back.

43 and from Basildon, Ward was securing his first open time trial victory of the season so far, having previously only ridden one event last year prior to lockdown (which he also won).

“It was perfect conditions, an early start so not too warm,” said Ward. “If it had been on Sunday I wouldn’t have fancied riding as it was very hot!

“I’ve been training quite a bit despite not riding, but I got Covid over Easter and it set me back quite a bit. I’m only just really getting back in shape. It was good to get back on a time trial bike and see what I could do.

“It’s nice to get a win, and I’ll ride a few more longer events I think.”

Meanwhile 50-year-old Aylen was riding her eighth open time trial of 2021, and securing her third victory.

She hasn’t finished lower than second in any of the events she has ridden in 2021.

Having placed second in the West Kent RC 10 in April she was also runner-up in the Maldon 25 in May and the ECCA 10 in early June. She secured her first win in the Maldon and District CC 10 shortly after, and was also second in the ECCA 10 on June 26.

July began with a second in the Lea Valley CC 10, before she took another win in the Essex Roads CC 10 a week ago, and then made it two in a row with victory in this ECCA 25 event.

In the handicap competition Mark Connelly of Essex Roads CC was victorious. His time of 39-26 gave him an adjusted handicap time of 19-13, just over a minute better than second-placed Simon McCartney (CC London) whose actual time was 36-01, while Jonathan Witwam of Shaftesbury CC was third.

The event uses the A1060 starting near Leaden Roding and heading down to the edge of Chelmsford before turning back for home.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Colin Ward (Essex Roads CC)  31.01

2. Paul Turton (Team Vision Racing-Silverhook)  32.52

3. Rob Chaplin (East London Velo)            33.46

Women:

1. Karen Aylen (Maldon & District CC)     37.29

2. Julia Freeman (Easterley RC)  38.07

3. Katie-Ann Elliston (Southend Wheelers)            39.31

Handicap:

1. Mark Connelly (Essex Roads CC)            19.13

2. Simon McCartney (CC London)              20.21

3. Jonathan Whitwam (Shaftesbury CC) 20.54