Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach) continued her pursuit of Merlin Cycles Classic Series honours by taking victory in round six organised by Team Sheffield.

After taking two podium places in the series so far the 31-year-old took victory on this occasion, recording an average speed of over 25.9 miles per hour on her way to a winning time of 32 minutes and 49 seconds.

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.

Rhodes-Jones has been in good form this season taking wins in the Beacon RCC 9.1 and VTTA 15 already this season alongside her Merlin Cycles Classic Series exploits.

With four events counting towards the overall series Rhodes-Jones plans to target overall glory by traveling to Scotland for the last round next month.

Keri Parton (Pro Vision RC) also has her eyes on overall honours and recorded a series-best second-placed finish on this occasion of 33-32.

Parton has recorded two fifth places and a fourth in the previous rounds and so boosted her overall hopes.

Louise Scupham (Liv AWOL) is also in the overall battle with a consistent series so far and finished fourth in the fourth round.

She recorded a series-best third place finish a further minute back in 34-33.

Sonia Insley (Bolsover and District CC) was quickest veteran woman covering the course in a time of 41-03.

“It was great not to do the race in the rain which we have had so far in the series,” said Rhodes-Jones.

“It was a great course with marshals covering the junctions along the race route. The course had a good mixture of longer and flatter sections and a couple of hills.

“I was definitely happy with the win and it’s always good to compare times with the other race categories.”

In the juniors’ category Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers) was quickest girl with her time of 38-23 exactly a minute ahead of Abbey Thompson (Suffolk Youth Race Team).

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