Caroline Ratcliff (Ferryhill Wheelers) was quickest of the women, while John Hewison (Zubaran Racing) was fastest man at the Hartlepool CC / VTTA North 10-mile time trial near Crathorne in North Yorkshire on Saturday.

58-year-old Ratcliff clocked an impressive 24-54 to win the women’s prize by 40 seconds from Sarah Foulds (Velo Culture), with third being Ratcliff’s 16-year-old team-mate Sophie Heighton with 25-46.

Hewison, 44, covered the T102 in 20-36 to win overall by 39 seconds from Ray Hall (Adept Cycling), while Paul Newman (Richmond CC) was another eight seconds back in third spot.

“This is my first open time trial win in 20 years!” said Hewison. “I am on a comeback trail with a focus on diet and weight management which is really starting to show in the results.

“In 1996 I broke the junior 25 mile competition record. But now it seems I struggle with anything over 10 miles. I use a power meter but I find it distracting so I ride on feel. My aim this year is to break the 20-minute barrier for the first time.”

The event was run in warm conditions with 17-degree temperatures and very little wind, meaning many riders were targeting season-best times on the A19 from Crathorne, one of Teesside’s fastest courses.

In other categories Heighton was quickest junior, while top rider on age adjusted times was Russ Richardson (Zubaran Racing) with 19-10. And top on handicap was Hewison with 19-36.

This was Hewison’s eighth open time trial ride of the season, and his first victory. But he hasn’t been too far away with second place in the Teesdale CRC sporting 20.7-mile event last weekend, as well as second at the Otley CC 10 back in April.

And for Ratcliff this was her second consecutive win of the season in open time trials, having also won the Stockton Wheelers sporting 25 a fortnight ago. Earlier in the season, the evergreen Ferryhill Wheeler was second in the Darlington CC 25 and Cleveland Wheelers 21.7.

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

Results:

Men:

1 John Hewison Zubaran Racing 20:36

2 Ray Hall Adept Cycling 21:15

3 Paul Newman Richmond CC 21:23

4 Matt Hill Velo Club Godalming and Haslemere ST 21:43

5 Russ Richardson Zubaran Racing 21:34

6 Sam Leng AIMS Cycling 22:10

Women:

1 Caroline Ratcliff Ferryhill Wheelers CC 24:54

2 Sarah Foulds Velo Culture 25:34

3 Sophie Heighton Ferryhill Wheelers CC 25:46

Junior:

Sophie Heighton Ferryhill Wheelers CC 25:46

Age Adjusted Time:

Russ Richardson Zubaran Racing 19:10

Handicap:

John Hewison Zubaran Racing 19:36