Sam Taylor (Weaver Valley CC) took his first victory of the season in the Stretford Wheelers 25, while team-mate Emily Martin won the women’s event.

Taylor was the only rider to break the 55-minute mark recording a time of 54 minutes and 53 seconds.

The J4/8 course saw riders complete an opening loop across to Cranage and then onto a larger loop along the B5082 over to Northwich and Middlewich before heading back to the start/finish.

Competitors completed the larger loop two times to make the 25-mile distance.

Conditions were cool and not ideal for fast times with a northerly breeze while the weather was dull and drizzly.

Taylor finished runner-up in both the Macclesfield Wheelers 25 and VTTA Manchester & NW Group 25 events also ran on the J4/8 earlier in the season.

He went slightly slower on this occasion but his time of 54-53 was 31 seconds faster than his nearest challenger.

Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC), riding a road bike, led the chase behind finishing second in 55-24 and was the quickest non-aero rider.

Lovatt was also the quickest veteran rider on standard with his time equating to +12.46.

Stephen Dooley (Seamons CC) finished third in 57-03 which was 19 seconds faster than team-mate Alan Chorley who had a 30-second late start penalty which cost him a podium position.

Dooley and Chorley also helped Seamons CC to the team prize alongside Tim Marshall (59-56).

Scratch man Sean Mullen (Richardsons-Trek RT) had an issue with his tubeless tyre valve and was unable to start.

In the women’s event Weaver was the only rider to beat the hour mark completing the course in 59 minutes and 57 seconds.

Martin finished fifth in the National 10-mile Championship last month and showed her form once again to take a comfortable victory this time out.

Quickest veteran rider Lynsey Astles (Congleton CC) led the chase behind clocking 1-05-29 while Michelle Fairclough (Salford Cycling Club) finished third (1-08-03).

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

* A gallery of images from this event is available here

Men

1 Sam Taylor (Weaver Valley CC) 54.53

2 Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC) 55.24

3 Stephen Dooley (Seamons CC)57.03

4 Alan Chorley (Seamons CC)57.22

5 Mark Parsons (Team ASL-Bolton)57.36

6 Mat Stephenson (Congleton CC) 58.12

Team: Seamons CC (Dooley, Chorley, Marshall)2:54.21

Women

1 Emily Martin (Weaver Valley CC)59.57

2 Lynsey Astles (Congleton CC) 1:05.29

3 Michelle Fairclough (Salford Cycling Club) 1:08.03

4 Laura Oldroyd (Knutsford Tri Club) 1:09.07

5 Alison Stephenson (Congleton CC) 1:14.43

6 Janet Wyles (Total Tri Training)               1:15.44

Veterans on standard                                                                                                                                    

1 Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC) +12.46

2 Mark Parsons (Team ASL-Bolton) +11.01

3 Alan Chorley (Seamons CC) +10.48