Angela Carpenter (…a3crg) and Mark Ellis (Mercedes AMG Petronas CC) took victories in the women’s and men’s events on standard in the VTTA National 15 Mile Championships.

Carpenter, aged 52 and from Chichester, was left surprised with her victory in the women’s competition. Despite a tough wind and cold conditions she clocked a time of 33 minutes of 13 seconds – a time which gave a standard of +11.21.

Her standard time was the best of the day and helped Carpenter’s team …a3crg to team and group wins on standard alongside Sarah Matthews and Neil Mackley.

Matthews’ finishing time of 35-27 gave her an individual standard of +10.31 which was enough for second in the women’s category ahead of Melanie Sneddon (TORQ Performance) in third clocking 33-57 (+9.39).

The fastest woman on scratch was Jennifer George (The Independent Pedaler – Nopinz) who set a time of 32-52 but did not qualify for the veteran’s awards.

“The wind picked up as the day went on and as the women started last there was a bit of a breeze and it was very cold,” said Carpenter.

“I thought I had done a bad ride actually and didn’t look at the time when I finished, I just turned my computer off.

“It was quite amazing to find out I had won so I am delighted. It was a really nice course and Newbury Velo did a good job organising the event.”

Ellis, aged 56, clocked a time of 31-57 enough to give him men’s victory with a +9.20 on standard.

Neil Mackley (…a3crg) continued a brilliant day for his team taking second with a +9.20 (31-57) while Gareth Williams (Twickenham CC) completed the podium positions in a standard of +9.06 (32-02).

Quickest time recorded on the day was Ronnie Stone (Islington Cycling Club) but despite clocking 31-10 the 48-year-old’s standard of +9.01 was good enough for just tenth.

The Newbury Velo pairing of Ian Greenstreet and Rachael Elliott added another medal to their collection in the tandem event and were the only riders to break the 30-minute barrier clocking 29-48 and a standard of +10.53.

Norman Harvey and Mary Corbett (Sotonia CC) were second tandems with a standard of +8.32 (42-42) while Murray Kirton and David Stockley (A5 Rangers CC) finished third +5.49 (40-01).

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

* Photos from this event by Kimroy Photography are available here