Grant Bigham was fastest male at the Stafford Road Club 10-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon, while Susan Semple was named quickest female at the event in Staffordshire.

In sunny and warm conditions, HUUB WattShop rider Bigham clocked an impressive 20-17 over the course to take a comfortable victory, 1-01 ahead of runner-up Paul Westwood (Brereton Wheelers) in 21-18, while a time of 21-36 helped Ilkeston Cycle Club’s Alex Hodgkinson to seal the final spot on the podium.

On his victory, Bigham said: “It was tough! It’s my local 10 and a really challenging course. I’ve been trying for years to go sub 20 on there and yesterday was another ride where I fell just short.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect as Spindata had me coming in second and I’ve not really performed well this season. So it was nice to put together a clean ride.”

In the women’s event Semple (Legato Racing Team) edged a narrow victory in 24-21, just three seconds faster than Congleton CC’s Gail Lowe who finished the course in 24-24 while AeroCoach rider Denise Burrows took third place with a time of 24-42.

Alongside Semple’s win, Legato Racing Team enjoyed success in winning the team prize through Joseph Costello, Semple and Steven Loraine, and the veteran-on-standard prize thanks to Costello’s time of 21-50 which also earned him fourth place overall.

A time of 23-31 was enough for Pocomotion Road Club rider Nick Giles to win the road bike category, ahead of club-mate John Sammut in 24-49, while third place went to Seamons CC’s Chris Siepen in 24-41.

This 10-mile event, run on the K48/10 course, features two testing climbs with 100m of elevation and starts on Lichfield Road to head northwest, tracking the Trent & Mersey Canal past Aston-by-Stone, until reaching the A51 roundabout where riders turn and retrace the route south-eastwards and face a fast final two miles through Sandon village to finish just south of the start line.

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

Results:

Men:
1. Grant Bigham (HUUB WattShop)  20:17

2. Paul Westwood (Brereton Wheelers)          21:18

3. Alex Hodgkinson (Ilkeston Cycle Club)    21:36

4. Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team)      21:50

5. George Thorne (Worcester St. Johns CC)  22:06

6. Simon Hall (Stourbridge CC)         22:08

Women:

1. Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team)         24:21

2. Gail Lowe (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)           24:24

3. Denise Burrows (AeroCoach)        24:42

4. Hayley Moore (Ilkeston Cycle Club)         24:54

5. Fay Barrington (Banbury Star Cyclists)     25:10

6. Gemma Johnson (Beacon Roads CC)        25:35