Robert Francis earned his first win in five events with victory in the men’s event at the Swindon Road Club and Swindon Wheelers 50-mile time trial on Sunday morning, with Corinne Clark triumphing in the women’s event.

Pronto Bikes rider Francis clocked 1:54-09 to see off closest competitor Tony Chapman, with the Frome and District Wheelers member finishing runner-up in 1:55-51, just one second ahead of Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath CC) who took the final podium spot in 1:55.52 in a dramatic finish.

Having managed seventh place at the Welsh CA 25-mile Championship, then runner-up at Westbury Wheelers 26-mile time trial, sixth at FTP Racing 25-mile and then fourth in the Welsh CA Championship 100-mile time trial on July 2, this is Francis’ first victory since winning the Bath Cycling Club 10-mile time trial on April 1.

“The conditions were fairly favourable with a headwind on the downhill sections and tailwind on the uphill sections,” explained Francis.

“As the road dried out it allowed me to take better lines. Myself and two others got caught behind a slow moving horse box for about a mile but the rest of the time there was little to no traffic with no hold ups.

“I had a slower first lap but rode into a good rhythm. Once I caught Tony I knew I was up there in the standings.

“My next goal is to aim for sub 19 minutes in the Tetbury Velos 10 next weekend and continue the good season that I have had to date. Thank you to all the organisers for putting on a great event.”

In the women’s event, Swindon Wheelers’ Clark was fastest in 02:09-51, with second and third place going to Emily Kate Walton (Bristol South CC) and Emma Bexson (Stratford CC) in 2:27-45 and 2:18-54 to take second and third place consecutively.

“It was great to have a challenging course despite the rubbish weather and wind,” said Corinne Clark. “I didn’t mind the weather at all, I’ve raced in worse!

“I’ve struggled with a tummy bug last week and didn’t race on Thursday because of it, so I was pleased with how it went given that I haven’t been 100 per cent.

“I have another 50 in a few weeks, then the National 12-Hour Championships.”

Elsewhere, Robert Godwin (Swindon Wheelers) was fastest male on a road bike with Kirsten Scott (Elysium Kalas Race Team) fastest female on a road bike, while Swindon Wheelers enjoyed more success in winning the team prize thanks to Godwin, Fraser Joyce and Ian Cheatle.

This 50-mile event, run on course U86/50, is a loop circuit that starts just south of Minety and heads west towards Malmesbury on the B4040, turning south to Burton Hill then east past Brinkworth and, upon reaching the M4 junction, heading northbound to complete the circuit at Minety, then completing a further full circuit and, on the third loop, riders then at Milbourne to follow the route back to the finish just south of the start.

* 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)        01:54.09

2. Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers)      01:55.51

3. Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath Cycling Club)            01:55.52

4. Mike Pounds (Elysium Kalas Race Team) 02:03.00

5. Robert Godwin (Swindon Wheelers)          02:03.09

6. Tim Radley (Gloucester City Cycling Club)          02:03:29

Robert Francis earned his first win in five events with victory in the men’s event at the Swindon Road Club and Swindon Wheelers 50-mile time trial on Sunday morning, with Corinne Clark triumphing in the women’s event.

Pronto Bikes rider Francis clocked 1:54-09 to see off closest competitor Tony Chapman, with the Frome and District Wheelers member finishing runner-up in 1:55-51, just one second ahead of Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath CC) who took the final podium spot in 1:55.52 in a dramatic finish.

Having managed seventh place at the Welsh CA 25-mile Championship, then runner-up at Westbury Wheelers 26-mile time trial, sixth at FTP Racing 25-mile and then fourth in the Welsh CA Championship 100-mile time trial on July 2, this is Francis’ first victory since winning the Bath Cycling Club 10-mile time trial on April 1.

In the women’s event, Swindon Wheelers’ Clark was fastest in 02:09-51, with second and third place going to Emily Kate Walton (Bristol South CC) and Emma Bexson (Stratford CC) in 2:27-45 and 2:18-54 to take second and third place consecutively.

Elsewhere, Robert Godwin (Swindon Wheelers) was fastest male on a road bike with Kirsten Scott (Elysium Kalas Race Team) fastest female on a road bike, while Swindon Wheelers enjoyed more success in winning the team prize thanks to Godwin, Fraser Joyce and Ian Cheatle.

This 50-mile event, run on course U86/50, is a loop circuit that starts just south of Minety and heads west towards Malmesbury on the B4040, turning south to Burton Hill then east past Brinkworth and, upon reaching the M4 junction, heading northbound to complete the circuit at Minety, then completing a further full circuit and, on the third loop, riders then at Milbourne to follow the route back to the finish just south of the start.

* 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)        1:54.09

2. Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers)      1:55.51

3. Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath Cycling Club)            1:55.52

4. Mike Pounds (Elysium Kalas Race Team) 2:03.00

5. Robert Godwin (Swindon Wheelers)          2:03.09

6. Tim Radley (Gloucester City Cycling Club)          2:03:29

Women:

1. Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers)         2:09.51

2. Emily Kate Walton (Bristol South Cycling Club)  2:17.45

3. Emma Bexson (Stratford Cycling Club) 2:18.54

4. Caroline Nottage (Army Cycling)  2:27.57

5. Marianne Carpenter (Bath Cycling Club)  2:27.58

6. Kirsten Scott (Elysium Kalas Race Team) 2:34:40

1. Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers)            02:09.51

2. Emily Kate Walton (Bristol South Cycling Club)  02:17.45

3. Emma Bexson (Stratford Cycling Club) 002:18.54

4. Caroline Nottage (Army Cycling)  02:27.57

5. Marianne Carpenter (Bath Cycling Club)  02:27.58

6. Kirsten Scott (Elysium Kalas Race Team) 02:34:40