Richard Bideau earned a third open time trial win of the season at the Border City Wheelers 10-mile time trial when the top six were separated by just 40 seconds, while the women’s event saw Theresa Taylor take the honours in Cumbria on Saturday afternoon.

Riding for Pendle Forest CC, Bideau finished in 20-37 to come home ahead of Studio Velo rider Chris Little who clocked 20-44 to narrowly beat the 20-46 set by David Thompson (Rock To Roll Velo CC) into third.

There was significant drama in the battle for third with Thompson only just edging out Richard Nesfield (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.co.uk) by a single second in 20-47, while fifth-placed Keith Murray, of Vector Racing, was only five seconds further back in 20-52.

Bideau now has three wins from 16 open time trial races so far in the 2023 season, with his last success coming at the Barrow Central Wheelers 21-mile time trial in April having also achieved first place at the Border City Wheelers 20.2-mile Lazonby Circuit time trial in March.

In the women’s event, Taylor, riding for Springfield Financial Racing Team, took top spot in 25-24.

In the road bike category, Howard Leach (VTTA North Lancs and Lakes Group) was fastest in 27-10, ahead of John Leach, of Rossendale RC, in 29-53.

A time of 25-49 helped Border City Wheelers CC rider Rachael Maxwell to second place and the final spot on the podium went to Taylor’s team-mate Karen Taylor in 26-20.

The event, ran on the L108 course, started just west of Newbiggin on Lune and headed westbound on the A685 until reaching the traffic island at Tebay, where riders turned and followed the same route back to finish just west 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. Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC)        20.37

2. Chris Little (Studio Velo)            20.44

3. David Thompson (Rock To Roll Velo CC)             20.46

4. Richard Nesfield (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.co.uk)       20.47

5. Keith Murray (Vector Racing)   20.52

6. Craig Horseman (Giant-Kendal-Silas.co.uk)         21.17

Women:

1. Theresa Taylor (Springfield Financial Racing Team)         25.24

2. Rachael Maxwell (Border City Wheelers CC)     25.49

3. Karen Taylor ( Springfield Financial Racing Team)            26.20

4. Sue Cheetham (North Lancashire Road Club)    26.37

5. Erica Short (Darlington Cycling Club)    36.48