Henry Higgins emerged as fastest male at the Bristol South CC 6.8-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon in Gloucestershire, with Niamh Murphy taking the honours as fastest female over a course shortened from 10 miles due to roadworks.

Caesarean CC rider Higgins, 19, claimed his first time trial victory at on his fifth attempt, having previously finished runner-up at The University of Bristol Cycling Club 10-mile time trial on March 3.

University of Bath student Higgins, originally from Jersey, said: “I’ve competed in time trials back in Jersey, but I have found moving to these to be really good, with a great range of people.

“I was hoping I could win but it’s always great to get the first success.”

His time of 14-23 ensured he finished comfortably ahead of Tom Burke-Nott in second, representing the promoting club and clocking 14-40, while Dursley Road Club’s John O’Dwyer completed the podium in 14-49.

It was quite an event for young riders, with Higgins’ feats matched by that of 17-year-old Murphy in the women’s event.

In the women’s event, Liv CC Halo Cycles rider Murphy was comfortably ahead of the field in 16-43, with Joanna Knight (Bristol South Cycling Club) more than two minutes back in 18-45 while Cheltenham & Country Cycling Club rider Rachel Green took third in 20-24.

Murphy has stepped her racing this year, competing in Belgium and on Friday due to compete in three-day Omloop van Borsele stage race in the Netherlands.

Murphy, who admits to preferring climbing, said: “I’m really happy with that victory, it was nice to do a different time trial.

“They are usually flat but this one was quite rolling so it took the rhythm out of you, and you had to expend more energy on the climbs.

“It would have been interesting to see my time over a full 10-mile time trial as I was getting stronger and more in rhythm towards the end.

This event, run on U7B Short course, starts just east of Berkeley, and proceeds north-easterly past Breadstone and Gossington before encircling the roundabout and retracing the course south-west to the finish.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Henry Higgins (Caesarean CC (Jersey))     14.23

2. Tom Burke-Nott (Bristol South Cycling Club)      14.40

3. John O’Dwyer (Dursley Road Club)          14.49

4. Lee Francis (Velo Club Bristol)     14.50

5. Adam Whittaker (Fulfil The Potential Race Team)            14.56

6. Daniel Burbridge (Bristol South Cycling Club)     15.29

Women:

1. Niamh Murphy (Liv CC Halo Cycles)       16.43

2. Joanna Knight (Bristol South Cycling Club)          18.45

3. Rachel Green (Cheltenham & Country Cycling Club)       20.24