Tim Torrie set a new course record on his way to victory in the men’s event at the CC Sudbury Mad March Hilly 22-mile time trial on Sunday morning, with Laura Davies scooping the fastest woman prize for a second successive year amid chilly conditions in Suffolk.

In setting a new fastest time of 45-48 to break the old record by 1-36, Torrie (trainSharp) defeated the previous holder Will Lowden in a tense tussle.

Lowden himself finished in 46-39 to also break the mark of 47-24 he set in 2022 on his way to the runners-up position ahead of Velo Schils Interbike RT rider Neil Hughes who set 50-41.

Alongside the record, Torrie also received £75 and 1.75L of gin as part of the winner’s prize.

On his victory, the 23-year-old said: “The aim was to go for a new course record, and I’m delighted to do it. I worked so hard over the off-season. I went to the Silverstone wind tunnel and worked out some large gains there so riding today was the first real test of that and I’m happy to see the progress.

“I have a few targets, but if I want to get noticed I know the golden ticket is the National Championships and I hope I can show more progress there.”

Having grown up riding against the likes of rising stars Tom Pidcock and Ben Turner, Torrie still harbours hopes of joining them on the professional circuit.

He added: “It is just finding my way there. Everyone has their own routes to the top. Maybe I won’t get there, but it’s nice to know there is a route.”

Jadan Vive Le Velo rider Davies set a time of 54-14 to follow up her 2022 success with another win, comfortably ahead of second-placed Ann Shuttleworth (Cambridge CC) in 1-09-12, and host club rider Kirsty Fenner who clocked 1-15-51 on her way to third place.

Elsewhere the host club won the team prize thanks to the combined efforts of Alex Purcell in 51-29, Simon Daw in 52-46 and Simon Potter in 56-15, to set a cumulative 2-40-30 and win from Velo Schils Interbike RT who registered 2:41:31.

In the veterans category, Hughes and Shuttleworth came out in first place for males and females respectively while the road bike category was won by Alex Cross of Velo Schils Interbike RT in 53-17 and Oskar Everett’s 55-43 for Orwell Velo was enough to win the junior crown.

This event, run on the BS24/R course, starts just south-west of Lavenham and proceeds southbound on the B1071 through Great Waldingfield and then south-east on the A124 and eastbound through Boxley until reaching Hadleigh where riders turn northwards through Monks Eleigh and finish just south-east of Lavenham.

While not the hilliest of courses, riders must tackle the Boxford Bypass and Semer Hill alongside some good quality roads on the flat as part of this popular Cycle Club Sudbury early season event.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Tim Torrie (trainSharp)      45.48

2. Will Lowden (HUUB WattShop)  46.39

3. Neil Hughes (Velo Schils Interbike RC)    50.41

4. Alex Purcell (CC Sudbury) 51.29

5. Simon Daw (CC Sudbury) 52.46

6. Alex Cross (Velo Schils Interbike RC)      53.17

Women:

1. Laura Davies (Jadan Vive Le Velo)           54.14

2. Ann Shuttleworth (Cambridge CC)            1:09.12

3. Kirsty Fenner (CC Sudbury)          1:15.51

4. Caroline Wyke (CC Sudbury)        1:20.37