Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) took a slender victory by just nine seconds in the Eastern Counties CA 10, while Anastasia Bowler (AS Test Team) was a more comfortable victor in the women’s event.

Scratch rider Pardoe, aged 41, took his first open time trial victory of the season clocking a time of 20 minutes and three seconds.

Pardoe won four open events last season with his first win not coming until June. However, he tasted success at the first attempt in 2022 beating a good field near Cambridge.

The E2/10 sees riders start near Six Mile Bottom, east of Cambridge, before travelling out and back along the A11 to Fourwentways.

Pardoe clocked a time of 18-33 on the E2/10 last season but windy conditions in the early season event meant he was slower than that time on this occasion.

A close battle for the men’s podium positions with the top six riders separated by 35 seconds.

Juvenile rider Patrick Casey (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles in Motion) showed his potential finishing just nine seconds behind winner Pardoe taking second in 20-12.

A further second behind was Josh Newbould (Banbury Star Cyclists' Club) who was narrowly pushed down to third.

On her first open time trial outing of the season Casey won the women’s event clocking a time of 22 minutes and 32 seconds.

Bowler, aged 24, won the …a3crg 10 last season and got her 2022 campaign off to a winning start.

A close battle for second saw Lara Thomas (Stowmarket & District CC) clock 23-21 which was just 10 seconds quicker than Mathilde Pauls (1904RT) in 23-31.

The quickest veteran woman on scratch was Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) who finished fourth overall in 24-10.

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

Results:

Men:
1 Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) 20.03
2 Patrick Casey (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles in Motion) 20.12
3 Josh Newbould (Banbury Star Cyclists' Club) 20.13
4 Nick Morgan (Hitchin Nomads CC) 20.22
5 Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) 20.28
6 James Richards (AeroLab Ward WheelZ) 20.38

Women:
1 Anastasia Bowler (AS Test Team) 22.32
2 Lara Thomas (Stowmarket & District CC) 23.21
3 Mathilde Pauls (1904RT) 23.31
4 Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) 24.10
5 Sophie Lee (Team Catenary) 24.12
6 Kirsty McSeveney (...a3crg) 24.42