Robert Francis completed a third successive win at the Bristol South CC 50-mile time trial on Sunday morning in Gloucestershire, with Jordan Matthews claiming the title of fastest woman.

Pronto Bikes rider Francis finished the course in 1:54-38, comfortably ahead of Frome and District Wheelers member Tony Chapman in 1:59-17 and the 2:00-42 set by third-placed Karl Norris of 360RVT.

The win in Gloucestershire sees Francis back up wins at the 50-mile Swindon Road Club & Swindon Wheelers time trial on July 23 and the 10-mile Tetbury Velos time trial on July 30 and takes his tally to six wins from 12 events so far this season.

On his victory, Francis said: “Coming off the back of wins at the Swindon Wheelers 50 and Tetbury Velos 10, I knew I was in good form. I have never ridden any parts of this course so the first lap was learning the roads, but luckily they were dry.

“There was a lot of traffic and horses en route with a couple of other events on at the same time. But the course itself was a lovely rolling course.

“I am very happy to take home another year for what has been a great season so far.

“My next goal is a 25-mile PB at the Virtual Cycling event on the Usk course next weekend to continue a fantastic season.”

Matthews, riding for Fulfil the Potential Race Team, finished in 2:07-57 with Swindon Wheelers’ Corinne Clark second in 2:10-17 and Matthews’ clubmate Maria Powell riding home in 2:18-54 for the final spot on the podium.

In the road bike category Norris was fastest in 2:00.42 ahead of Newport Phoenix CC rider 2:06-29, while a time of 2:17-30 helped Pronto Bikes member Paul Wilkinson to third place.

This event, run on the U109/50 course, starts just east of Didmarton Village and heads east along the A433 to the Hare & Hounds pub then towards the A46 junction, then left back onto A46 through Didmarton past the start, repeating the loop twice more to finish on the A46 on the fourth circuit.

* 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)        1:54.48

2. Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers)      1:59.17

3. Karl Norris (360VRT)        2:00.42

4. Tom Burke-Nott (Bristol South Cycling Club)      2:01.11

5. Daniel Colman (Pronto Bikes)        2:04.29

6. Vincent Douglas (Gloucester City Cycling Club)  2:04.58

Women:

1. Jordan Matthews (Fulfil the Potential RT) 2:07.57

2. Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers)            2:10.17

3. Maria Powell (Fulfil the Potential RT)       2:18.54

4. Natalie Green (New Forest CC)     2:20.31

5. Emily Kate Walton (Bristol South CC)      2:21.03

6. Amber Bullingham (Gloucester City CC)  2:22.23