David Fellows and Kelly Murphy were fastest male and female riders respectively at the Matlock CC Hilly 25-mile time trial in Derbyshire on Saturday afternoon.

Fellows, the 29-year-old rider from Solihull CC, was fastest overall in 1-03-22, ahead of 7 Hills Cycling Club’s Allan Wailoo in 1-06-57, while third place was secured by Steve Gibson (Peak Road Club) who finished a further ten seconds back.

Fastest female went to 32-year-old Murphy, with the new member of Team Independent Pedaler crossing the line in 1-10-2 to win ahead of Rebecca Lineker, of South Normanton CC who recorded 1-18-09, with Ilkeston Cycle Club’s Hayley Moore 4-30 behind.

“It was forecast to be a wet and windy day,” explained Murphy. “There were quite a few sharp climbs and descents and the flatter sections were wide open to the wind, so I opted to use a road bike and despite the sun coming out, that gamble still paid off.

“I only managed two time trials last year and both were under 10 miles so I just wanted to test the legs and see if I could push for longer and harder so this hilly/sporting course was perfect.

“They’re great season openers as there’s opportunities to recover on descents, this should help build to high prolonged power for fast courses as the year progresses.”

The 25-mile event, run on the AH/2 course and forming part of the BBAR series, starts in Alport before climbing to Youlgreave, along the Newhaven-Bakewell Road past Arbor Low and Monyash, completing a 12.3-mile stretch on the A515 to Newhaven and finishing on Alport Road.

Fellows will be looking to follow up an impressive opening ride of the season at the Banbury CC 25-mile time trial on March 13, while Murphy, who holds the Irish Individual Pursuit record on the track, will contest the Lea Valley CC 25 on the same date.

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

* A gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here