Tristan Pilling earned his first open time trial win in five years with victory in the men’s event at the Kent Valley RC 10-mile time trial on Saturday evening, while Louise Scupham took the title of fastest woman. 

Pilling, riding for 360 Cycling, clocked an impressive 18-38 around the course to take victory ahead of team-mate Maxwell Hereward, who finished in 19-02 in a dramatic finish to secure the runners-up spot by just a second from Scottish Borders Race Team rider Liam Beatty who recorded 19-03.

He said: “It’s quite nice to finally be first. Usually a top rider would come along and pip me to it. We have had a really solid ride, 360 Cycling has gone from strength to strength over a short period of time.

“We had three riders in the top six, all of us at 360 have had a really solid winter, we get on really well and push each other. When you’re enjoying it, everything is that bit easier.

“I want to carry on as is, the North Lancashire Association Championship this Saturday, so it’s just a case of keep progressing and getting better and picking up a few wins along the way.”

Pilling’s last victory came in the National Youth District Championship Manchester DC in 2018, while he has achieved a string of runners-up finishes in the 2023 season so far.

The 21-year-old took second place at the Crewe Clarion Wheelers two-up 16.5-mile team time trial, as well as the East Lancashire Road Club 10-mile time trial on May 6, followed by fifth place at the Sherwood CC 10-mile time trial on May 20 and fourth at the VTTA East Midlands 25-mile event on June 3.

In the women’s event, Jadan Vive Le Velo’s Scupham was 20 seconds clear of the field in 22-19, with Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team) second in 22-39, while a time of 22-49 helped Shibden HopeTech Apex rider Esther Wong to third place.

This event, run on the L1015 course, starts just east of Levens and heads south-west along the A590 then turns at the Lindale by-pass roundabout to follow the A590 back along towards the finish line just short of Levens Bridge.

* 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. Tristan Pilling (360 Cycling) 18.38

2. Maxwell Hereward (360 Cycling) 19.02

3. Liam Beatty (Scottish Borders Race Team)           19.03

4. Euan Adam (Durham City Velo)    19.11

5. Kamil Waligora (360Cycling)        19.14

6. Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC)           19.30

Women:

1. Louise Scupham (Jadan Vive Le Velo)      22.19

2. Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team LRT)            22.39

3. Esther Wong (Shibden HopeTech Apex)   22.49