Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) and Chris Murray (Army Cycling) were pushed all the way as they took victories in the Clive Pugh Memorial Reading CC 25 in Berkshire on Sunday.

Both riders also retained the Inter Services TT Championships victories they won last year as members of the military battle for individual and team honours.

Scorer, aged 42, posted a winning time of 50 minutes and 59 seconds which was 15 seconds clear of his nearest opponent.

Meanwhile, tandem riders Ian Greenstreet and Rachael Elliott (Newbury Velo) knocked over a minute off their previous course record setting a new benchmark of 50-14.

The H25/1A saw competitors start and finish outside Theale Airstrip before completing two laps of an out and back course along the A4 to the turn at Thatcham.

Rain at the start made way for good conditions for fast times with little wind to impact on times.

Scorer also won the St Piran/Northover Vets Team 10 & 25-mile events in May took his sixth open time trial victory of the season on this occasion.

Matthew Coulson (Oxford University CC) pushed the winner all the way finishing just 15 seconds back in 51-14, with William Lewis (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) completing the individual podium in third (51-41).

The men’s Inter Services TT Championships was won by the Royal Air Force Cycling Association with Lewis, Scott Hill (52-18) and Michael Barnes (52-33) all placing in the top seven positions.

Quickest junior was Jack Baldie (Avid Sport) whose time of 1-09-57 included a 14-minute late start penalty and is a new course record - due to no previous junior time being recorded.

“I’m really chuffed to get the win as the inter service championship is a bit of a target in the military world,” said Scorer.

“It was a tough course and one that doesn’t really settle down. A bit of rain before the start also made the roundabouts a bit more entertaining.

“I won the same event last year so it was good to retain the title.”

In the women’s event Murray added another Inter Services TT Championships win to her huge collection.

The former National 24-hour Champion recorded a time of 59 minutes and 33 seconds which was five seconds faster than team-mate Sue McFarlane (Army Cycling).

Completing the individual podium positions was Claire Weston (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) in 1-01-18.

A fourth placed finish for Chanel Mason (1-02-06) helped Army Cycling to the team victory alongside Murray and McFarlane.

“I have won the Inter Services a few times going back but it’s all about the team award,” said Murray.

“I’ve been training for the National 24-hour Championship in two weeks so I came into the race off my final racing block. It was a good opportunity to see how my legs were going and they didn’t really show up.

“I was happy not to fall apart and to just about take the win. I had no idea how close Sue [McFarlane] was as I couldn’t keep track of who was who on the course.”

The two-time National 24-hour champion is aiming for a third title over the distance later this month.

“I won it in 2019 and 2021 and set new competition records both times. Hopefully I can put in another good ride, but it’s such an unpredictable race and hopefully the weather is okay.

“I just hope to have a good ride, I don’t think you can ever set a target.”

The road bike event was won by Stephen Swindley (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) who posted an impressive time of 55-45.

Taking the battle behind for second was Basel Razouk (Torvelo Racing) whose time of 57-01 was 30 seconds quicker than Jack Thompson (Reading CC).

The only woman road bike competitor was Sarah Toms (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) who posted a time of 1-07-03.

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

Results:

Men:

1 Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) 50.59
2 Matthew Coulson (Oxford University CC) 51.14
3 William Lewis (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) 51.41
4 Stefan Gloyn (Army Cycling) 52.00
5 Scott Hill (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) 52.18
6 Sam Wordley (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) 52.22

Women:
1 Chris Murray (Army Cycling) 59.33
2 Sue McFarlane (Army Cycling) 59.38
3 Claire Weston (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) 1:01.18
4 Chanel Mason  (Army Cycling) 1:02.06
5 Caroline Nottage  (Army Cycling) 1:02.08
6 Laura Sheppard (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) 1:03.01

Road bikes:
1 Stephen Swindley (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) 55.45
2 Basel Razouk (Torvelo Racing) 57.01
3 Jack Thompson  (Reading CC) 57.31
4 Tom Quinlan  (FTP ( Fulfil The Potential) Racing) 58.21
5 Tom Crisford 59.37
6 Alan Cridland  (Army Cycling) 1:00.28

Woman: Sarah Toms (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) 1:07.03