Robert Francis earned an impressive win in the men’s event at the Gillingham & District Wheelers’ 18.4-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon in Somerset, with Josie Harcourt taking the honours in the women’s event.

The Pronto Bikes rider beat team-mate Morgan Curle to top spot with a time of 43-09, more than a minute ahead of Curle’s 44-20, while 360VRT’s Carl Norris posted 45-32 to seal an impressive podium spot.

Victory for Francis continues a fine start to the season so far, which has now yielded two runners-up finishes and two victories, with his first coming at Severn RC 18.4-mile time trial in his opening race of the season on February 19, while he secured second place at Chippenham & District Wheelers 14-mile time trial and Bath Cycling Club 24-mile time trial.

In the women’s event, Avid Sport pair Josie Harcourt and Olive Halliday took the top two positions in 53-48 and 57-09 respectively with Elizabeth Long (Bruton Cycling Club) sealing third place in 1:02.49.

This event, run on the U303 course, starts in Bruton on the B3081 and proceeds towards Stoney Stoke then turns left through Charlton Mugrove until reaching Leigh Common where riders turn left on A303 before continuing through Bourton and Zeals to the junction with B3092 where a left turn sees riders continue towards Frome and a left turn through Kilmington Common to Yarnfield Gate and a sharp left turn and downhill through North Brewham to finish just short of the A359 junction.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Robert Francis (Pronto Bikes)        43.09

2. Morgan Curle (Pronto Bikes)         44.20

3. Carl Norris (360VRT)         45.32

4. Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers)      45.48

5. Oliver Bridgewood (Bath Cycling Club)    46.17

6. Charles Thibault (Bath Cycling Club)        47.20

Women:

1. Josie Harcourt (Avid Sport)            53.48

2. Olive Halliday (Avid Sport)           57.09

3. Elizabeth Long (Bruton Cycling Club)      1:02.49

4. Joanna Knight (Bristol Cycling Club)        1:05.43

5. Jane Barker (Wincanton Wheelers)            1:12:03