Veteran Darren Yarwood (Chapeau! Vive Le Velo) took a convincing victory in the Cleveland Coureurs/VTTA North 25, while Caroline Ratcliff (Ferryhill Whs) won the women’s event.

Despite windy conditions Yarwood, aged 47, clocked a winning time of exactly 51 minutes which was enough to win by two minutes and 47 seconds.

It was Yarwood’s first victory of the season and came after placing sixth in last week’s National 12 Hour Championships.

The T252/3 saw riders start and finish in Crathorne on the tip of North Yorkshire before heading south into a tough headwind on the A19 towards Thirsk.

Turning at Knayton riders experienced some damp weather before the fast return with a tailwind back to Crathorne.

Riders were lucky to remain largely dry for the event as heavy rain and hail hit other parts of Yorkshire throughout the morning.

Yarwood has been competing over longer distances in recent weeks and last competed over 25 miles in the City Road Club Hull 25 clocking 51-31 for fourth.

Despite the windy conditions Yarwood went quicker this time out winning in 50-00 ahead of David Ashton (Army Cycling) who clocked 52-47.

Junior rider Ben White (Manilla Cycling) was a close third place a further eight seconds back clocking 52-55.

White also won the Ron Wood Memorial Shield for fastest Teeside district rider and the TCA Shield for quickest Teeside junior.

Yarwood was also the quickest veteran on standard with his time equating to +17.19.

In the women’s event veteran rider Ratcliff was pushed all the way for victory with her time of 1-04-33 some 22 seconds quicker than her nearest rival.

The win was Ratcliff’s first of the season after previously placing fourth in the Cleveland Whs CC sporting 17.6 last month.

Over the flatter terrain Ratcliff reversed the result over Kate Sanderson (Cleveland Wheelers CC) who had won that time out but placed second on this occasion in 1-04-55.

Meanwhile fellow veteran Louise Hamilton (The Bike Rack CC) finished third in 1-05-06.

Ratcliff also won the handicap competition.

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

Results
1 Darren Yarwood (Chapeau! Vive Le Velo) 50.00
2 David Ashton (Army Cycling) 52.47
3 Ben White (Manilla Cycling) 52.55
4 Mark Strang (Velo Culture) 54.33
5 Neil Cleminshaw (Chapeau! Vive Le Velo) 54.39
6 Russ Richardson (Teesdale CRC) 54.45
7 Jonathan Robinson (Army Cycling) 54.48
8 Sean Quinn (Law Wheelers) 54.48
9 Karl Caton (Elmsall Road Club) 55.00
10 Euan Sanderson (Cleveland Wheelers CC)55.16

Junior: Ben White (Manilla Cycling) 52.55

Women
1 Caroline Ratcliff (Ferryhill Whs) 1:04.33
2 Kate Sanderson (Cleveland Wheelers CC) 1:04.55
3 Louise Hamilton (The Bike Rack CC) 1:05.06
4 Liz Ball (Valley Striders Cycling Club) 1:07.27
5 Sarah Foulds (Velo Culture) 1:07.34