HUUB-WattShop’s Alex Pritchard set a new road bike national competition record, covering ten miles in an impressive 18-35 to slice six seconds from the previous mark at the VTTA (London and Home Counties) event near Tring.

Meanwhile riding time trial bikes Richard Oakes picked up his fifth win from 11 events this season while Sally Turner earned success in the women’s event.

Pritchard, 27 and from Nottingham, beat George Fox’s previous best road bike time which was set on the same F11/10 course near the Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire border back in May.

“I was a little surprised to take the record given the conditions being less than favourable,” said Pritchard. “Anyone who completed on a time trial bike on the downhill section with the crosswind did a stellar job of keeping it upright!

“I had a go at a test event a month or so ago to work out if it was even feasible to take the record, and thought with the right day we might be on for something!

“I’ll be back at it again for sure, I think with better legs and better conditions there’s another 20 seconds to take off on the course.

“I think we’ll maybe see some proper big boys come along and absolutely shelve it soon now there is more interest.”

Overall, Team Ohten Aveas rider Oakes clocked 18-25 on his way to a second win from three rides, ten seconds clear of Pritchard (HUUB Wattshop) who finished in 18-35 on a road bike while the final place on the podium went to North Road CC rider Paul Willcox in 18-55.

Having won the VTTA North Group 10-mile time trial on 21 June, Oakes could only take third place at the Lea Valley 10-mile time trial on July 8, Oakes has quickly returned to winning ways.

In the women’s event, Turner ensured more success for HUUB WattShop by winning the women’s time trial in 20-48, ahead of the 21-26 set by Loose Cannon’s Conditioning rider Becky Ridge with DRAG2ZERO’s Lisa Davies completing the course in 22-48 to take third.

After some pre-race withdrawals due to the severe weather warnings riders were faced with breezy but generally fine conditions without too many gusts, while a good tailwind helped the riders on the home leg.

This 10-mile event, run on the F11/10 course, starts on the A41 and heads south-eastwards past Tring to turn at the roundabout and head back westbound beyond the startline and past Buckland until reaching the A41 roundabout, to turn again and head eastbound to finish just south of Buckland.

* 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. Richard Oakes (Team Ohten Aveas)           18.25

2. Alex Pritchard (HUUB WattShop) 18.35 (road bike competition record)

3. Paul Willcox (North Road CC)      18.55

4. Alan Murchison (HUUB WattShop)           19.31

5. Anthony Turner (Mickey Cranks Cycling) 19.37

6. Ryan Witchell (Team Salesengine.co.uk)   19.43

Women:

1. Sally Turner (HUUB WattShop)     20.48

2. Becky Ridge (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning)        21.26

3. Lisa Davis (DRAG2ZERO)           22.48

4. Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill)    24.02

5. Frances Lammyman (St Neots CC)            24.19

6. Ruth Stapleton (Harlow CC)          25.20

Road Bikes Men: Alex Pritchard (HUUB-WattShop) 18-35 (competition record)

Road Bikes Women: Ruth Stapleton (Harlow CC) 25-20