Mark Smith (Crawley Wheelers) and Sally Turner (trainSharp) were fastest male and female riders respectively at the Sussex CA 10-mile time trial staged near Steyning on Saturday morning.

Smith, 47 and from nearby Lindfield in West Sussex, covered the G10/97 in 20-15 to win by just four seconds, while 41-year-old Sally Turner clocked 22-30 to take the women’s prize.

This was Smith’s second victory of the season so far from six open time trials, having tasted victory already in 2021 in the Farnborough and Camberley CC 25 two weeks ago.

He took the win narrowly from trainSharp rival Howard Shaw, while another trainSharp rider Brett Davis took third, 25 seconds further adrift of Smith.

“I’ve been feeling strong and rode a course record on my club hilly 21 on Thursday as well, so I knew the form was good,” said Smith.

“I’m deliberately loading up with three races in four days in each of the last two weeks (with a COVID jab thrown in for good measure) to build form later in the season.

“I’m very happy with the results I have been getting, but I started paying the price and only managed second in the 25 on Sunday, but it was enough to win the Sussex Championships (winner was out of the region). Now for some recovery!”

Meanwhile Sally Turner’s time was impressive and gave her the win by almost two minutes from Lisa Davis (Drag2Zero), while third spot went to Brighton Mitre CC’s Anouska Greenaway, with 25-00 exactly.

The course uses the A283, beginning on Washington Road to the north of Steyning and heading south on the Shoreham Road to the junction with the A27 where they turn and head back up, finishing just before the start point.

Prolific rider Smith was due to ride Sunday morning’s 25-mile Sussex CA event on similar roads, and next weekend also has a double header with the Lea Valley CC 10 and the a3crg sporting 15km.

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