James Pittard (Univ of Bristol CC) and Chris Murray (Army Cycling) opened their accounts for the season by taking victories at the Swindon Road Club & Swindon Wheelers 27.5 in Wiltshire on Sunday.

Pittard, aged 24, posted a time of one hour, nine minutes and 28 seconds along the 27.5-mile hard riders course which was 29 seconds faster than his closest challenger.

The U871 course saw riders start on unclassified roads before completing an out and back leg along the B4042 out to Malmesbury taking competitors to the nine miles mark.

Riders then completed a large loop, continuing on the B4042 out towards Royal Wootton Bassett and then north towards the village of Minety. After heading back across to Malmesbury riders completed a finishing leg to Upper Seagry.

Pittard honed his form by finishing third at the Bath CC hard riders event over 24 miles last weekend and was the winner by 29 seconds on this occasion.

William Haynes (Cheltenham & County Cycling Club) had to settle for second in 1-09-57 while Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers) finished third (1-11-07).

In the women’s event veteran rider Murray took her first open victory of the season recording a winning time of 1-19-11 which was 1-23 quicker than her nearest challenger.

Murray finished second in the National 12-hour Championship last season and showed her early season form on this occasion.

Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers) led the battle behind finishing second in 1-20-34 while Joanna Jago (Performance Cycles CC) was third (1-25-49).

In the men’s road bike event Karl Norris (360VRT) was the fastest in 1-12-42 which would have placed him fourth in the time trial bike event.

Crispin Doyle (VTTA Wessex Group) was second road bike in 1-14-12 while Fraser Joyce (Swindon Wheelers) was third a further 48 seconds back (1-15-00).

In the women’s road bike category Celia Brown (Beacon Roads CC) went fastest stopping the clock in 1-22-20.

Emma Dickson (360VRT) was the second fastest woman on a road bike in 1-38-24 while Joanna Knight (Bristol South Cycling Club) was third (1-44-26).

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

Results:

Men:

1 James Pittard (University of Bristol CC) 1:09.28
2 William Haynes (Cheltenham & County CC) 1:09.57
3 Tony Chapman (Frome And District Wh) 1:11.07
4 Daniel Kelly (Gloucester City Cycling Club) 1:14.44
5 Oliver Ashley (Black Flag Performance) 1:14.53
6 Matthew Hallett (Swindon Wheelers) 1:15.11

Women:
1 Chris Murray (Army Cycling) 1:19.11
2 Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers) 1:20.34
3 Joanna Jago (Performance Cycles CC) 1:25.49

Road bikes:
Men:
1 Karl Norris (360VRT) 1:12.42
2 Crispin Doyle (VTTA Wessex Group) 1:14.12
3 Fraser Joyce (Swindon Wheelers) 1:15.00

Women:
1 Celia Brown (Beacon Roads CC) 1:22.20
2 Emma Dickson (360VRT) 1:38.24
3 Joanna Knight (Bristol South Cycling Club) 1:44.26