Paul Turton continued his fine start to the 2023 campaign with victory in the men’s event at the Maldon & District CC 25-mile time trial in Essex while fastest woman was Karen Aylen for the host club.

Team Vision Racing – Silverhook rider Turton clocked 56-52 on his way to victory, with second place clinched by Nicholas Knight (Hart Performance Coaching) in 57-03, and a time of 57-20 helping William Gillbank (Lee Valley Youth CC) take the final podium spot.

One rider to miss out was former World Tour professional Alex Dowsett, who suffered a puncture around the 15-mile mark and did not finish.

In the road bike event Maillot Noir CC’s Michael Stimson was fastest in 10:00-57, with Rob Chaplin of East London Velo second in 1:03-11 and a time of 1:27-58 helping Malcolm Strickland (CC Bexley) take third.

In the women’s event Karen Aylen took first place in 1:06-23, ahead of CC Sudbury’s Caroline Wyke who finished in 1:28-13.

Riders enjoyed fine and dry weather, with the temperature around 16-18 degrees, while a fairly gentle westerly breeze of 7mph offered modest assistance on the long high-speed stretches of the course.

No prize money was offered for the event, with 50% of profits donated to East Anglia Air Ambulance, and the timekeepers also donated their expenses to the same charity.

This 25-mile event, run on the E21/25A course, is considered pretty flat, but exposed and with a few twisty bits including single carriageway, B and unclassified roads.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Paul Turton (Team Vision Racing – Silverhook)    56.52

2. Nicholas Knight (Hart Performance Coaching)     57.03

3. William Gillbank (Lee Valley Youth CC)  57.20

4. Matthew Saunders (Team Vision Racing – Silverhook)     59.43

5. Dan Jenkins (Hart Performance Coaching)            1:00.17

6. Michael Stimson (Maillot Noir CC)           1:00.57

Women:

1. Karen Aylen (Maldon & District CC)        1:06.23

2. Caroline Wyke (CC Sudbury)         1:28.13