Last year’s winner Jake Sargent repeated his performance with victory in the 2023 Chippenham and District Wheelers time trial near Tormarton, while Celia Brown (Beacon Roads CC) was the quickest female rider.

Emergency roadworks meant a shortened course over 14 miles, but it was still a popular and well fought event with National 100-Mile Championship winner Sargent (Team Bottrill) clocking 29-39 to take the win by two minutes from Robert Francis (Pronto Bikes) while James Pittard (Didcot Phoenix CC) was another 37 seconds back in third.

Brown clocked 38-42 to win the women’s category by 31 seconds from Avid Sport rider Josie Harcourt, while Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers) was third, 54 seconds slower than winner Brown.

Conditions were dry and bright for the event in Gloucestershire, with a cool east-north-easterly breeze meaning it was mostly a headwind for the riders.

“I tried not to go into the race with any expectations,” said Sargent. “I’ve been fortunate to have changed teams over the winter which came with new kit, bikes and coaching, so this was almost a test run to see where everything was at.

“Safe to say I was pleasantly surprised with how quick I went! I’m just glad to be back racing.”

Karl Norris (360 VRT) was quickest on a road bike with 34-52 for eighth fastest overall, while Tony Chapman’s 33-30 made him the fastest veteran and fifth overall.

As well as being quickest female Celia Brown was also fastest veteran and on a road bike too!

His first event of the season, Almondsbury-based Jake Sargent began his 2022 season with seven straight victories in open time trialling and went on to finish the year with nine wins. He will be hoping to emulate that feat in 2023, and targets the Bath CC 24-mile hardriders event next Sunday.

Celia Brown isn’t due to ride an open event for two weeks, and is hoping for a ride at the Matlock CC 25 on March 11 as well as the Bridgnorth CC hilly 21-mile event on March 26.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill)           29.39

2. Robert Francis (Pronto Bikes)        31.39

3. James Pittard (Didcot Phoenix CC)            32.16

4. Pete Dyson (East London Velo)     32.34

5. Tony Chapman (Frome & Dist Wh)           33.30

6. Theo Anderson (Chippenham & Dist Wh) 34.16

Women:

1. Celia Brown (Beacon Roads CC)   38.42

2. Josie Harcourt (Avid Sport)            39.13

3. Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers)            39.36

4. Liz Kemp (Pronto Bikes)    41.25

5. Emily Walton (Bristol South CC)  42.57

6. Joanna Knight (Bristol South CC)  46.35