Harry Tanfield and Stephanie Stephenson enjoyed success as fastest male and fastest female respectively at the Richmond CC 23.5-mile time trial on Saturday morning.

An impressive time of 52-54 helped Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling’s claimed the win, a full 4-10 ahead of Marcel Schubert, from Darlington Cycling Club who clocked 57-04, while Cleveland Wheeler CC’s Rob Carter, on a road bike, was third in 58-03.

Despite admitting he had sore legs and almost withdrew before the start, Tanfield delivered a stunning ride to claim the Swaledale Trophy in near-perfect sunny, dry and windless conditions.

In the women’s event, Stephenson, riding for the promoting club, took victory in 01-15-18, ahead of clubmate Melissa McDermid who completed the course in 01-19-55.

Elsewhere, Schubert’s time was enough to be named fastest veteran over 40, while host club rider Jake Stephenson was the leading espoir in 59-06, with Cleveland Wheelers CC’s Lawrie Dryden (01-05-44) named top junior and Andrew Lunn (Richmond CC) the fastest juvenile in 01-09-04.

The 23.5-mile route, on course T243, starts in Richmond on A6108 before heading west towards Hudswell and tracking the River Swale southwards along the B6270 past Cogden Hall and looping southward at Grifton, then through Robin Cross Hill and leftwards just before Black Quarry, back through Walburn Hall and Downholme to finish close to the start.

In the road bike category, Carter was the fastest with Adam Pinder (PM Racing UK) second in 01-00-04 and Protech Velo’s Brian Ward finishing third in 01-03-52.

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

* A gallery of images from this event is available here

Results:

Men:

1. Harry Tanfield (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling)     52.54 (course record)

2. M. Schubert (Darlington CC)   57.04

3. R. Carter (Cleveland Wheelers)              58.03

4. J. Stephenson (Richmond CC) 59.06

5. A. Pinder (PM Racing UK)         1:00.04

6. R. Lilleker (Cleveland Wheelers)            1:00.58

Women:

1. Stephanie Stephenson (Richmond CC) 1:15.17

2. M. McDermid (Richmond CC) 1:19.55