David Fellows (Solihull CC) carved almost three minutes off the previous course record on his way to winning the Allen Valley Velo 24.8, while Lucy Siddle (Reifen Racing) won the women’s event in Northumberland on Sunday.

Hill climbing specialist Fellows, from Sheldon in Birmingham, targeted the event and set a new course record of one hour, five minutes and nine seconds.

The 29-year-old won the Fibrax Wrexham hilly on his last outing and added another tough event to and course record to his palmarès.

The M24.8 saw riders start at Thomley Gate climbing for the opening four kilometres before descending down and then a sharp climb with a gradient of up to 12.4% gradient up to Nenthead.

A fast descent was followed by another short and sharp climb of up to a 15% gradient before a welcome descent down to Cowshill.

The final of the four climbs had a section of a 9% gradient before the descent down to the finish at Allendale.

A humid temperature greeted riders but a welcome breeze on the climbs made it more comfortable for competitors.

Fellows had travelled up to Northumberland the previous day to check the course in sweltering conditions and was glad for the cooler weather on the race day.

It was a sixth victory of the season for Fellows on a variety of courses.

Veteran rider Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC) led the chase behind on his road bike finishing second overall in 1-08-19 while fellow veteran Chris Burns (Reifen Racing) completed the podium positions (1-11-36).

“This course is the second hilliest by kilometre in elevation, Saddleworth Clarion’s being number one, but this one has the faster return and it is nice and scenic,” said Fellows. 

“For about 90 seconds I was doing well over 54 miles per hour. Today’s event is the last mountain time trial for me this year, before I turn my attention to the hill climb season.”

Charlie Thew (Racing Metro 15) was the fastest of the junior riders on the day, crossing the line in 1-20-56 for 17th overall.

In the women’s event veteran rider Siddle recorded a winning time of one hour, 26 minutes and three seconds on her first outing of the season.

Siddle finished third in the same event in 2019 clocking 1-24-58 and despite being slower this time out she went two places better.

Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) finished second in 1-28-49 while Adele McAleer (Velo Culture) completed the podium positions in third (1-32-18).

“I went a bit slower than I did in 2019, but having not done many time trials this year, I’m pleased with my effort today,” said Siddle. 

“The conditions were good – a nice breeze going up the second climb freshened you up a bit ready for the return leg.”

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

Results
1              David Fellows    Solihull CC           1:05:09

2              Rob Carter          Cleveland Wheelers CC  1:08:19

3              Chris Burns         Reifen Racing     1:11:36

4              David Hill              Giant-Kendal-Sidas.Uk   1:12:37

5              David Gleave     Velo Club Cumbria           1:13:10

6              Jimmy Froggatt SKCC      1:16:08

7              Graham Simpson              Berwick Wheelers Cycling Club   1:16:39

8              Simon Emsley    Derwentside CC 1:16:52

9              Joseph Wright   Rock To Roll CC 1:17:10

10           David Jones        EMC Cycling        1:17:28

11           Keith Melvin       Rock To Roll CC 1:17:41

12           Shaun Tyson       Protech Velo      1:18:49

13           Philip Gilbanks  Muckle Cycle Club            1:19:17

14           Peter Stokoe      Reifen Racing     1:20:34

15           Nick Badcock      Allen Valley Velo              1:20:40

15           Ian Taylor            Blumilk.Com       1:20:40

17           Charlie Thew      Racing Metro 15               1:20:56

18           Mark Whaley     Blaydon CC         1:21:42

19           Cameron Annable            Derwentside CC 1:23:03

20           Neil Withington Beacon Wheelers             1:23:57

21           Keith Siddle        Reifen Racing     1:25:20

22           Tim Burdon        Allen Valley Velo              1:25:38

23           Lucy Siddle          Reifen Racing     1:26:03

23           John Cantrill        Blaydon CC         1:26:03

25           Louise Burnie     Blaydon CC         1:28:49

26           Henry Povey      VO2MAX Race Team       1:30:59

27           David Goodwin Newcastle Cheviot CC    1:31:53

28           Chris Ashall         Tricademy           1:32:07

29           Keith Sibbald      Zeus CRT              1:32:18

29           Adele McAleer  Velo Culture       1:32:18

31           Ciaran Lally          Racing Metro 15               1:32:27

32           Peter McGlynn  Allen Valley Velo              1:33:08

33           Caroline Cunningham     North Tyneside Riders CC              1:34:33

34           Gabriel Marshall               Allen Valley Velo              1:34:54

35           Gordon Stutchbury         Sun City Tri          1:36:33

36           Greg Paton-Kerr               ProgressiveCycleCoaching.Co.Uk              1:38:24

37           Melanie Annable              Allen Valley Velo              1:39:18

38           Steve Rust           Team Trident     1:40:03

39           Ray Bell Derwentside CC 1:41:20

40           Neil Veitch          Allen Valley Velo              1:42:07

41           Aidan Harber     Allen Valley Velo              1:45:13