Scratch rider Tom Hutchinson (Team Bottrill) proved to be the fastest at the Zeus CRT 10, while Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) won the women’s event by just eight seconds.

Hutchinson, aged 26, took his second win of the season recording a time of 19 minutes and 28 seconds on the flat coastal course.

The M101 saw riders start and finish near Cramlington before heading out and back on the A189 to North Seaton before making the return journey.

It was a cool morning for the time trial which made for a slower morning in south-east Northumberland.

The course runs parallel to the north-east coast, crossing the River Wansbeck just before the halfway point, and is considered to be the fastest 10-mile course in the district.

Hutchinson, from Gateshead, also won the East Lancashire 10 on the fast L1015 last weekend clocking 18-42 and despite being slower on this occasion his time was comfortably enough for victory.

Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles) has three wins to his name already this season but had to settle for second on this occasion in 20-04.

In a close battle for the podium positions Zach Haigh (Barnesbury CC) finished a further five seconds back (20-09).

“It is good to be back racing on home turf,” said Hutchinson. “I love the time trial scene here in the north-east – familiar faces and courses make for an enjoyable morning racing.

“The ride was tough with relatively slow conditions in my opinion so this was some way off my course personal best.

“Despite this, I felt relatively good which is positive as we head into a couple of weeks training before my first target race of the year.”

Quickest juvenile was Harris Hall (Velo Culture) with the 15-year-old recording a time of 20-27 which was good enough for sixth place overall.

Meanwhile, the fastest veteran was Dave Diston (Muckle Cycle Club) who covered the course in 20-52.

After finishing second in the Tyne & Wear Fire Service 12 the previous day Burnie went one better winning the women’s event in 24-09.

The win was Burnie’s first individual victory of the season.

Claire Harlow (Team Kirkley Cycles) pushed Burnie all the way but eventually finished second just eight seconds down in 24-17.

The battle for third was even closer with veteran Justine Norman (Velo Culture) taking the final podium position in 25-21 which was just three seconds faster than Lois Jarvis (North Tyneside Riders CC).

“I’m really pleased to have won today after getting a good period of hard training in since recovering from Covid at the end of March,” said Burnie.

Quickest juvenile rider Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Whs) was just 11 seconds off the overall podium taking fifth in 25-32.

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

Results:

Men:
1              Tom Hutchinson               Team Bottrill      19:28
2              Lewis Wake        Team Kirkley Cycles         20:04
3              Zach Haigh          Barnesbury CC   20:09
4              Jay Pitt  Velo Culture       20:20
5              Peter Stokoe      Reifen Racing     20:21
6              Harris Hall            Velo Culture       20:27

Women:
1 Louise Burnie Blaydon CC         24:09
2 Claire Harlow  Team Kirkley Cycles         24:17
3 Justine Norman             Velo Culture       25:21
4 Lois Jarvis         North Tyneside Riders CC              25:24
5 Sophie Heighton           Ferryhill Whs      25:32
6 Gemma Hutchins          Blaydon CC         25:41