Luca Morrone earned victory in the men’s event at the Newbury Road Club 25-mile Dave Jones Memorial time trial in his second-ever completed time trial, while Laura Pittard triumphed in the women’s event in Berkshire on Sunday morning.

Onyx RT rider Morrone finished in 52-12 to take a maiden victory, 41 seconds ahead of closest rival Henrik Persson (FTP Racing Team) in 52-53, while Army Cycling’s Jeremy Radford completed the podium in 53-15.

Morrone’s only other recorded finish was sixth place at the Farnborough & Camberley CC 10-mile time trial on March 4 this year which was also his debut ride, while he did not finish the Lea Valley CC 25-mile time trial on May 6.

In the women’s event Pittard, riding for Bother UK–Team OnForm, completed a narrow six-second win over Elevate RT’s Celia Brown, clocking 59-23 and 59-29 respectively, with Linda Dewhurst of Team Milton Keynes slightly further back in 1:00.16 to take third place.

Pittard previously finished as third female at the Banbury Star CC (Hardriders TT) 23.5-mile time trial on March 19.

“I was really happy with the win, you never expect just can do the best you can on the day. It was my birthday too so an added bonus!” said Pittard, who is targeting the National Circuit Championships later in the year.

“I also raced the day before so I think there is potentially more in the tank with a bit more specific prep in future.”

The Dave Jones Memorial Cup is for veterans, and this year was won by Linda Dewhurst (Team Milton Keynes) with a plus of 18.32, almost four minutes better than runner-up Jeremy Redford of Army Cycling.

Top road bike entrant was Thomas Willan (Elevate RT) with 55-59, while there was a new course record of 51-55 for the Newbury Velo pair of Ian Greenstreet and Rachael Elliott.

Top team was the Army Cycling trio of Jeremy Redford, Sue McFarlane and Caroline Nottage.

This 25-mile event, run on the H25/1A course, starts on Bath Road just south of Theale-Englefield Airstrip and sees riders head southwest past Aldermaston Wharf, past Woolhampton to turn at the A4 roundabout, completing three further laps of the road before finishing just by 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. Luca Morrone (Onyx RT)   52.12

2. Henrik Persson (FTP Racing Team)           52.53

3. Jeremy Radford (Army Cycling)    53.15

4. Henry Taysom (Ex Machina)          53.40

5. Tom Quinlan (FTP Racing Team)   54.13

6. David Glosy (Elysium Kalas Race Team)  54.14

Women:

1. Laura Pittard (Brother UK – Team OnForm)         59.23

2. Celia Brown (Elevate RT)  59.29

3. Linda Dewhurst (Team Milton Keynes)     1:00.16

4. Sue McFarlane (Army Cycling)     1:00.23

5. Caroline Nottage (Army Cycling)  1:02.25

6. Jo Wilkie (Cheltenham & County Cycling Club)   1:05.11