Paul Turton secured a remarkable victory at the Central Sussex CC hilly 10-mile time trial on Saturday - less than six months after suffering a broken hip in a mountain bike accident.

Having at one point feared he may never ride his bike again, the 2022 SPOCO South East champion had surgery to insert screws into his pelvis, but returned to his turbo just a week later.

In chilly temperatures peaking at just 5 degrees, Essex-based Turton took victory in the men’s TT bike category by clocking 24-44 to finish ahead of Basildon CC rider Ian Baybrook (26-42) and Mike Boyce, of A3crg, who managed 30-05 to take the final podium spot.

On his victory, the 51-year-old Team Vision Racing rider said: “They basically bolted me back together. When they did the procedure I thought this would really affect racing, but on day one they said I could go straight back to it.

“Gradually my power returned and the numbers were looking the same as before the accident, so I’m pleased to be back. I didn’t think I’d ever cycle again let alone race, so to get a win was a massive confidence-booster.”

Turton will now turn his focus to the 50-km Hainault hilly as he continues his return to the sport following the accident.

CC Sudbury’s Caroline Wyke picked up the prize for first woman, finishing in 40-44 on a road bike to begin her season with victory, while Sussex Revolution VC took the team prize thanks to the work of Chris Barker, Aaron Sparks-Carolan and Steve Coombs finishing in a combined 1:19-02.

There was further success for Barker, with his time of 25-55 enough to triumph in the road bike category ahead of team-mate Sparks-Carolan in 26-14, with Andy Betts (Sigma Sports/Cannondale RT) finishing third in 26-20.

The route, on course GS/186, starts just west of Pease Pottage and heads west towards Colgate before turning left onto Blackhouse Road and then south west to complete a circuit back to Pease Pottage, continuing back through Colgate, encircling the roundabout and finishing just west of the start line.

Central Sussex CC stalwart Alan Robinson, at 82 years old, finished in 42-48, having taken second in the Bec CC annual hill-climb in the 1960s, and riders thanked him for devising this hilly but popular and traffic-free course, while 15 of the 20 Central Sussex CC membership helped with marshalling and volunteering on the day.

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

Results:

TT bikes:

1. Paul Turton (Team Vision Racing) 24.44
2. Ian Braybrook (Basildon CC)         26.42
3. Mike Boyce (A3crg)           30.05
4. James Bromley (Hart Performance Coaching)       35.36         
5. Robin Johnson (Brighton Mitre CC)          36.40
6. Richard Pimlott (Finsbury Park CC) 38.13

Road bikes:

1. Chris Barker (Sussex Revolution VC)       25.55
2. Aaron Sparks-Carolan (Sussex Revolution VC)    26.14
3. Andy Betts (Sigma Sports/Cannondale RT)           26.20
4. Steve Coombs (Sussex Revolution VC)     26.53
5. Tony Reeves (GS Stella)    27.52
6. Shaun Marlor (Bec CC)      28.12

Women: Caroline Wyke (CC Sudbury)         40:44

Team: Sussex Revolution VC (Chris Barker, Aaron Sparks-Carolan, and Steve Coombs) 1:19.02