Will Lowden and Joanna Patterson were quickest male and female riders respectively at the Eastern Counties CA Zak Carr Memorial 10-mile time trial in Cambridgeshire on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) and Frances Lammyman (St Neots CC) were crowned ECCA champions, with neither Lowden or Patterson affiliated to the ECCA and therefore not qualifying for the championship.

There was a healthy entry for the event on the popular and newly-resurfaced E2/10 course at Six Mile Bottom, but it was decimated by heavy rain throughout which caused many riders to send their apologies for not riding.

Despite the conditions 20-year-old Will Lowden (HUUB-WattShop) clocked a personal best time of 18-39 which gave him the win by 19 seconds from Pardoe, with third being Kevin Tye (VeloRefined Rule 5) in 19-52.

Joanna Patterson (Wahoo Le Col) clocked 20-26 to finish as fastest female by 34 seconds from Jennifer George (HUUB-WattShop), with third overall – and ECCA champion – being Frances Lammyman (St Neots CC) in 24-44.

“Initially I entered the event hoping, along with everyone else, for cracking conditions,” said Lowden. “Unfortunately, it turned out to be pretty poor (strong wind and rain) but since I had a second motive of wanting to test a slightly altered UCI legal position, I decided to ride anyway.

“Based on this, I went to the start line with no real expectations of time etc…, just getting some power out and trying the position. It was a strong headwind on the outbound leg of the course, so I was surprised to reach the turn point at around 10 minutes.

“I knew the return leg was definitely going to be quicker, so had an inclination I might be able to achieve a decent time. The tailwind on the return leg meant over 40mph for the last 3.5 miles, which was actually really fun! - definitely worth riding in the rain for!

“I was in half a mind not to ride based on the potential water spray on the A11 however, the new road surface on the E2/10 is very well draining so thankfully no more spray!”

Credit is due to the marshals and pushers-off who contended with the constant rain throughout the event. A moderate breeze was in the riders’ favour on the return leg which helped several of the 34 finishers post personal best times.

This was win number three in open time trialling for Will Lowden, the Bury St Edmunds-based rider who was also victorious at the National Circuit Championships last month as well as the opening round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series back in March on his way to finishing second in the overall series.

Patterson has ridden sparingly in time trials this season, but was victorious at the Scottish 50-Mile Championship in May.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Will Lowden (HUUB-WattShop)   18.39

2. Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC)     18.58

3. Kevin Tye (VeloRefined Rule 5)    19.52

4. Samuel Thienel (Elysium Kalas Race Team)         19.57

5. Matt Steel (Pronto Bikes)   20.04

6. Chris Potter (CC Ashwell)  20.06

Women:

1. Joanna Patterson (Wahoo-Le Col)  20.26

2. Jennifer George (HUUB-WattShop)           21.00

3. Frances Lammyman (St Neots CC)            24.44

4. Catherine Eassom (Chester Tri Club)         26.41

5. Eva Zsigoova (VeloRefined Rule 5)           28.04