Alex Dowsett set a new course record at the George Fox Cycling Solutions 10-mile time trial in Northamptonshire on Sunday morning, while Claire Harlow set a personal best to win the women’s event.

Israel PremierTech pro rider Dowsett, who briefly held the world hour record in 2015, set a time of 17-31 and averaged 34.4mph on his way to a course record, with runner-up George Fox, of the promoting club, recording his second-fastest ever time of 18-05 and Gavin Howell (VeloElite RC) rounding out the podium with 19-30.

More records fell in the women’s event with Harlow setting a personal best of 23-25 to beat Kettering CC’s Maria Gent whose time of 24-12 saw her hold onto second place from clubmate Bethany Spencer in 24-30, who is on her way back from illness.

Howell’s efforts helped VeloElite RC take the team prize alongside Martin Patmore (21-12) and Alex Garner (21-39) for a total time of 1-02-21.

Dowsett, a former Team Sky rider and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist, has also competed in the Tour de France and came close to his all-time 10-mile personal best on the course.

The event, on course N7/10, starts just west of Great Doddington and heads east before turning left onto the A45 towards Northampton and leaving at Great Billing, encircling the roundabout head eastbound on the A45, back towards Earls Barton and finishing just west of Earls Barton Quarry.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Male:

1. Alex Dowsett (Israel Premiertech)       17.31 CR

2. George Fox (George Fox Cycling Solutions)       18.05

3. Gavin Howell (VeloElite RC)    19.30

4. Simon Norman (Bikestrong-KTM)        19.44

5 Adam Smith (Team Kirkley Cycles)         19.49

6 Christopher Wedge (North Road CC)    20.33

Female:

1. Claire Harlow (Team Kirkley Cycles)     23.25

2. Maria Gent (Kettering CC)       24.12

3. Bethany Spencer (Kettering CC)            24.30