Josh Crow-Stewart claimed an impressive opening-day victory in the men’s event at the North Road CC hardriders 25-mile time trial in Hertfordshire on Sunday morning, with Karine Jones finishing as fastest female.

Crow-Stewart (05/03) finished the course in 1-02-09, more than a minute ahead of Alexander Spiers (Harworth and District CC) who clocked 1-03-22, and third-placed Freddie Checketts (LFGSS CC) who timed 1-03-45.

On his victory, the 29-year-old said: “I rode the course well and enjoyed the beautiful chilly but dry February weather, adding to the overall good day out.”

Crow-Stewart finished his 2022 campaign with four wins from his final five races, including success in the Watford Velo Sport 21-mile time trial in March, Hemel Hempstead CC 22-mile time trial at the start of April and the Icknield 30km a week later and Welwyn Wheelers Cycling Club 51.5km time trial five days later.

“My training has been consistent over the winter,” he added. “I’d just started to turn up the volume in anticipation for my seasons opening race and it worked.”

In the women’s event, a time of 1-13-37 meant Jones, riding for Verulam Really Moving, pipped Cambridge CC’s Elspeth Grace by 22 seconds, with the pair seven minutes ahead of third-placed Alice Woods of Islington CC.

The route, on course F7/25, starts just east of Bell Bar and proceeds northwards through Essendon and eastbound onto the B158, reaching Horn’s Mill and then turning southbound, heading westwards to Bayford.

Riders then retrace to Brickendon, head onwards past Epping Green and north to Little Berkhamsted, looping onwards south then east until reaching Newgate Street, racing onwards to complete the 25-mile circuit just past Northaw Great Wood Country Park.

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

* A gallery of images from this event is available here

Results:

Men:

1. Josh Crow-Stewart (05/03) 1:02.09

2. Alexander Spiers (Harworth and District CC)       1:03.22

3. Freddie Checketts (LFGSS CC)     1:03.45

4. Tom Ellwood (Cc London) 1:04.14

5. Leon Atkins (Welwyn Wheelers CC)        1:04.33

6. Matthew Wright (Verulam Really Moving)           1:06.33

Women:

1. Karine Jones (Verulam Really Moving)     1:13.37

2. Elspeth Grace (Cambridge CC)      1:13.59

3. Alice Wood (Islington CC) 1:20.31