Christopher Fennell (The Independent Pedaler – Nopinz) clocked the fourth fastest 25-mile time in history on his way to winning the East Anglian VTTA 25, while junior rider Isabel Sharp (Drag2Zero) set a new junior girls’ competition record on her way to winning the women’s event.

Fennell, aged 26, recorded a winning time of 44 minutes and 10 seconds – the third fastest in competition beating that of Alex Dowsett of 44-15.

Marcin Bialoblocki holds the fastest three times over 25 miles of 42-58, 43-21 and 44-04.

Fennell broke his open personal best by 48 seconds and will be looking for a fifth national title of the season in two weeks’ time at the National Closed Circuit Championship.

The F2A/25 saw riders start on Saint Neots Road near Hardwick before joining the A428 past Cambourne to the turn at Caxton Gibbet and back to the start/finish for a second out and back lap.

A field of 139 riders attempted the fast F2A/25 on Saturday afternoon after 10 had withdrawn on the morning of the event with petrol issues.

The F2A/25 course record had been broken last Sunday in the Cambridge CC organised event with a 45-45 from Marcus Christie (Ballymena Road Club).

However, Fennell smashed that mark with his 44-10 now the time to beat on the course.

Matthew Smith (Drag2Zero) had the task of starting a minute ahead of Fennell and despite being caught he was a clear second place in 46-00.

The battle for third was won by Ben Lloyd (Fibrax Wrexham RC) 48-01 who finished 31 seconds ahead of Matt O'Brien (Loose Cannon's Conditioning) 48-32.

In the tandem event Rachael Elliott and Ian Greenstreet (Newbury Velo) romped home posting 47-39 which was four minutes quicker than their nearest challengers.

Meanwhile, quickest trike was Ian Pike and Dave Mason (Lincoln Wheelers CC) who posted 53-02.

The women’s event was won by 16-year old Sharp who set a new junior girls’ 25-mile competition record of 52-25.

The previous record was held by Pfeiffer Georgi of 52-54 which was set in 2018.

Earlier this season Sharpe set a 55-16 in the Farnham Road Club 25 but she smashed that mark to break the competition record.

Veteran Jackie Field (CC Ashwell) was pushed all the way for second place with her time of 54-42 a single second quicker than Hannah O'Brien (Loose Cannon's Conditioning).

There was a 76-year age difference between the oldest rider 91-year-old Peter Horsnell (Chelmer CC) who recorded 1-13-16 and 15-year-old juvenile girl Holly Ramsey (Poole Wheelers Cycling Club) who recorded 56-21.

Results

Men

1 Christopher Fennell     The Independent Pedaler - Nopinz           44:10    

2 Matthew         Smith    DRAG2ZERO       46:00    

3 Ben    Lloyd     Fibrax Wrexham RC         48:01    

4 Matt  O'Brien Loose Cannon's Conditioning      48:32    

5 Ronnie              Stone    Regents Park Rouleurs   48:51    

6 Paul    Jay          DRAG2ZERO       48:57    

Women                               

1 Isabel Sharp    DRAG2ZERO       52:25

2 Jackie Field      CC Ashwell          54:42

3 Hannah             O'Brien Loose Cannon's Conditioning      54:43

4 Louise               Robinson             Essex Roads CC  55:15

5 Holly  Ramsey Poole Wheelers Cycling Club       56:21

6 Dena  Ford       High Wycombe CC           56:24

Tandems                                            

1 Rachael Elliott / Ian Greenstreet             Newbury Velo   47:39

2 Mark  Arnold/ Russell Arnold VTTA (East Anglia Group) 51:43    

Trike

3 Ian Pike/ Dave Mason Lincoln Wheelers CC       53:02