AeroCoach team-mates Richard Bussell and Jessica Rhodes-Jones took clear victories in the men’s and women’s events respectively at the Bridgnorth CC 18 in Shropshire on Sunday.

Scratch rider Bussell, aged 33, made light work of the sporting course recording a winning time of 39 minutes and six seconds.

Starting on the outskirts of Bridgnorth competitors headed out on the A458 to Much Wenlock before turning onto the B4378 to Shipton and then making a sharp turn back toward Bridgnorth on the B4368 finishing near Morville.

The course was undulating throughout including climbs, descents, and sharp turns to test the ability of riders. Roadworks on the course saw the event reduced from 22 to 18 miles.

On his first open time trial outing of the year Bussell, who won four events last season, was on form finishing a minute and 47 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

David Fellows (Solihull CC) led the charge behind clocking 40-53 while B Xavier Disley finished third on a good day for AeroCoach in 43-54.

“I’m happy, it was a nice early season test,” said Bussell.

“It was chilly but not too windy with a headwind at the finish. It was a fairly hilly course with fast bits which were also quite technical.

“I quite liked the course but on a course like that you can’t really pace well. You have to go deep in some sections and recover on others.”

Rhodes-Jones was an emphatic winner in the women’s event clocking a winning time of 46-52 which was four minutes and 36 seconds faster than her nearest rival.

Rhodes-Jones was taking part in her first open time trial of the season and showed the form over sporting courses which saw her win a round of the Merlin Classic Series last year.

Robin Jones (Bridgnorth Cycling Club) led the challenge behind taking second in 1-01-28 while Victoria Doran (Wrekinsport CC) finished third in 1-09-45.

In the road bike category James Pearce (Solihull CC) took a clear victory covering the course in a time of 44-16.
A close battle for second saw Gary Blackman (West Midlands Police CC) finish in 46-42 which was 12 seconds faster than Steve Biddulph (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles).

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

Results:

Men:
1 Richard Bussell (AeroCoach) 39.06
2 David Fellows (Solihull CC) 40.53
3 B Xavier Disley (AeroCoach) 43.54
4 Tomos Hales (Wrekinsport CC) 44.10
5 Jonathan Mills-Keeling (Bridgnorth Cycling Club) 44.56
6 Phillip John Glaze (Stourbridge CC) 44.58
 

Women:
1 Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach) 46.52
2 Robin Jones (Bridgnorth Cycling Club) 1:01.28
3 Victoria Doran (Wrekinsport CC) 1:09.45

Road bikes:
1 James Pearce (Solihull CC) 44.16
2 Gary Blackman (West Midlands Police CC) 46.42
3 Steve Biddulph (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles) 46.54