James Shaw (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) continued to impress in his maiden time trial season by winning the men’s event at the sixth round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series organised by Team Sheffield.

Professional road rider Shaw, aged 26, had not ridden an open time trial before this season but has now taken three wins, including being part of the winning National Team Time Trial Championship trio.

But on his last outing in the Merlin Cycles Classic Series Shaw suffered his only defeat, finishing second to team-mate Dan Bigham.

On this occasion his time of 26 minutes and 45 seconds was enough for victory by 30 seconds over fellow professional and former team-mate John Archibald (Eolo Kometa).

The 14-mile course started on the A60 at Cuckney before turning onto the A619 for the toughest part of the course rising past Whitwell Wood before turning for home at Clowne on the A616.

Conditions were good with a comfortable temperature with a cross-headwind on the outward leg and a cross-tailwind back to the finish.

Despite the sporting terrain Shaw recorded an average speed of over 31.4 miles per hour on his way to taking victory.

Archibald won multiple national titles last season but has concentrated on road racing in Europe this season.

The Scottish rider suffered a rare defeat on this occasion finishing 30 seconds down in 27-15.

Leon Wright (Race Hub) finished second in the opening round and continued his pursuit of overall honours taking third on this occasion in 29-10.

“It was a really good run out,” said Shaw. “Normally I don’t really fancy myself on a fast course like that which is also quite short. I don’t think it suits me that well and I prefer something a bit longer to get my teeth stuck into.

“I only live 30 minutes away so I thought I would give it a go. It was a really sporting course with no massive climbs but really grippy roads.

“The climb up to the Half Moon pub was not massive but steep so you needed to get on top of it. The course was also quite busy as it was in the middle of the day so there was a bit of traffic.

“It’s a great little course. I didn’t think I would beat John [Archibald] and I thought if I did it would be a really close margin.

“I thought he was going to beat me by a fair margin, so I was quite surprised by the result.”

After finishing fifth twice in the Merlin Cycles Classic Series veteran’s category this season Simon Dighton (Beacon Roads CC) gave his overall hopes a boost by taking victory.

Dighton recorded an average speed of over 25.9 miles per hour on his way to clocking a time of 32-24 which was the fastest of scratch and first on standard with +7.32.

Daryl May (Sheffrec CC) was second on scratch in 33-20 while Mark Sanders (Mid Devon CC) was third on scratch (33-44).

On standard Dighton was first Sanders finished second with a plus of 7.23 while Gordon Wordsworth (Rutland Cycling Club) was third with plus 7.04.

In the juniors’ category Patrick Casey (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) took victory clocking a time of 30-30.

Krispin Gardiner (PDQ Cycle Coaching) was quickest paracyclist with his time of 39-32 pushing Graeme Church (Team Milton Keynes) into second (46-28).

Former professional road rider Graham Briggs (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) showed he is still in top shape winning his first ever open time trial in the road bike category.

Briggs, who finished third in the AeroCoach 10 last month, was triumphant on this occasion clocking a winning time of 30-09.

Alex Raynard (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) was second in 31-56 while Richard Lucas (Mapperley CC) finished third (32-13).

In the junior road bike category juvenile Evan Schofield (D2D Sheffield RT) took top honours in 37-31.

In a closely fought battle Thomas Heighton (Ferryhill Whs) was second junior just 28 seconds down in 37-59.

Martin Nelson (Out of the Saddle CC) was quickest veteran in the road bike category beating Duncan Putman (Derby Mercury RC) into second (34-05) while Chris Myhill (Peak Road Club) was third (34-14).

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