Matt Chipping earned his first-ever open time trial victory with success in the men’s event at the Darlington CC 50-mile time trial in Yorkshire on Sunday morning, with the women’s title claimed by Sarah Harrison.

Valley Striders Cycling Club’s Chipping clocked 1:48-54 to beat the 1:49-34 set by runner-up Adam Taylor (Wigan Wheelers CC), with the final place on the podium going to Neil Cleminshaw, riding for ADDFORM Vive Le Velo, in 1:51-02.

Chipping, who was not ranked on the pre-race Spindata predictions, sealed a maiden win at the sixth attempt having previously managed a best placing of fourth, achieved at the East Sussex CA 15-mile time trial on March 15 2020.

In the women’s event, Harrison (Trek Sheffield) managed 2:16-05, while a time of 2:20-33 helped Sarah Foulds, of Velo Culture, to second place and Caroline Ratcliff (Ferryhill Wheelers) claiming third in a time of 2:22-25.

The 44 entrants enjoyed fine conditions on the course, with roads initially wet before drying out alongside a light south-westerly wind and low traffic along the route for what remains the only 50-mile time trial in the Teesside District.

This event, run on the T504 course, starts south of Catterick and heads south past Bedale on the A6055 for 9.3 miles until turning at the roundabout on the B6267 to follow the route back past Leeming Bar then turning at Catterick Bypass, before completing two further legs from Catterick to the B6267 and finishing just north of the start line.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Matt Chipping (Valley Striders Cycling Club)       1:48.54

2. Adam Taylor (Wigan Wheelers CC)           1:49.34

3. Neil Cleminshaw (ADDFORM Vive Le Velo)       1:51.02

4. Marcel Schubert (Darlington Cycling Club)          1:51.47

5. Stuart Henderson (Team Bottrill)    1:52.44

6. Adam Pinder (Teesdale CRC)        1:56.34

Women:

1. Sarah Harrison (Trek Sheffield)      2:16.05

2. Sarah Foulds (Velo Culture)           2:20.33

3. Caroline Ratcliff (Ferryhill Wheelers)        2:22.25