In-form Dougie Watson added another victory to his 2023 list of wins, powering to glory at the VC Cumbria 25-mile event near Cockermouth on Sunday, while fastest female was Rachel Brown.

Watson (GTR-Return to Life p/b Streamline) clocked 50-08 to take the win by 1-50 from Richard Nesfield (Giant Kendal Sidas.uk), whose team-mate Chris Booth took third, another 57 seconds off the pace.

Brown (Brother UK-Team OnForm) clocked 58-51 to place 13th overall and win the women’s category by an impressive eight minutes from Sue Cheetham (North Lancashire RC) in 1-06-50 with third female being Caroline Scholes (Chorley CC), another 3-14 back.

The event uses the popular and picturesque L2511 course from Cockermouth, along the A66 skirting Bassenthwaite Lake all the way to Keswick before turning and heading back.

“Sunday was my first outing on my favourite course this year and it didn't disappoint!” said Watson. “The weather in the lakes certainly kept the riders on their toes on the day.

“Conditions were very mixed and the strong winds made for a fast out leg but the payback came on the rise beyond Embleton, which was seriously tough!”

This was the latest of several 2023 open victories for Watson, whose wins include the Scottish 10-mile and 100-mile championship titles.

He also rode this VC Cumbria event 12 months earlier, where he was victorious again but over a minute quicker. And again in 2021, Watson was also the winner of this event.

Next weekend Watson is returning to Cumbria for the Border City Wheelers 10 and 25 on Saturday and Sunday, which incorporates the Emergency Services Championships.

Brown also took victory on her only other CTT time trial appearance, the West Pennine Road Club 10-mile event back in May, while she was 25th in the British Cycling National Time Trial Championship last month.

She is next due to be in open TT action at the Springfield Financial RT 10-mile charity event on August 12.

Brown also rode this same VC Cumbria 25-miler 12 months earlier, but had to settle for second spot despite being over two and a half minutes quicker than this time.

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