Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) took victory by over two minutes in the Eastern Counties CA 25, while Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) added another win to her collection in the women’s event.

Scratch rider Brown won three events last season and took his first victory of 2023 by posting a winning time of 54 minutes and 24 seconds.

The E6/25 saw riders start on Sawbridge Road before quickly joining the A1060 at Hatfield Heath and then heading out on the out and back course and turning at Roxwell Road.

The slightly shorter but tougher return leg included a short uphill kick to the finish line before Hatfield Heath.

Roadworks on the course almost scuppered the event, but it was eventually held in sunny but chilly conditions.

Brown, aged 39, finished sixth in his first open time trial of the season in February, but improved on that position this time out and was the only rider to beat the 55-minute mark.

The fight for the remaining podium positions was a close one with four riders separated by just 32 seconds.

Henry Okill (Southend Wheelers) led the way finishing second in 56-28 which was 20 seconds quicker than Charlie Gaimster (Dulwich Paragon CC) in 56-48.

Quickest veteran on scratch Nicholas Knight (Hart Performance Coaching) 57-00 narrowly missed out on the overall podium positions in fourth and was 19 seconds quicker than fellow veteran Alfie Salmon (Hart Performance Coaching) (57-19).

Veteran rider Robinson won the women’s event in a new course record time of one hour, two minutes and 11 seconds.

The only other woman competitors was fellow veteran Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running Club) who stopped the clock in 1-14-34.

The road bike event saw a close finish with the top three riders separated by just 12 seconds after the 25-mile course.

Nick Boyle (Chelmer CC) led the way winning the category in a time of 1-04-22 which was 10 seconds faster Rob Chaplin (East London Velo), while Bob Cliff (Redbridge CC) was a further third a further four seconds back (1-04-36).

The quickest team in the two-up event was Kevin and Benjamin Wood (Sherwood CC) who set a new course record of 58-53.

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

Results

1 Sam Brown     6AM Cycling       00:54:24

2 Henry Okill       Southend Wheelers         00:56:28

3 Charlie Gaimster           Dulwich Paragon CC        00:56:48

4 Paul Turton      Team Vision Racing - Silverhook 00:56:54

5 Nicholas Knight             Hart Performance Coaching         00:57:00

6 Alfie Salmon   Hart Performance Coaching         00:57:19

Women               

1 Louise Robinson            Essex Roads CC  01:02:11

2 Hilary Briggs    Serpentine Running Club               01:14:34

Road bike

1 Nick Boyle        Chelmer CC         01:04:22

2 Rob Chaplin     East London Velo              01:04:32

3 Bob Cliff            Redbridge CC     01:04:36

Two-up: Kevin & Benjamin Wood (Sherwood CC) 0:58:53