Paceline RT’s Andy Critchlow made it four wins from four open time trials so far with victory in the Southern Counties CU 10-mile event in Surrey on Saturday, while Alice Connor (Velociposse CC) was fastest female.

Critchlow, a 49-year-old former GB rider who lives in Reigate, clocked 19-36 for the popular G10/42 course near North Holmwood to take victory ahead of Jacob Storey (trainSharp) by ten seconds, while third spot went to William Taylor (Go Fast Turn Left), who was exactly a minute off Critchlow’s time.

30-year-old Alice Connor covered the course in 26-45 to take the win in the women’s category by 17 seconds from Becca Lewin (BellaVelo CC), while Lucia Borradaile (CC Weymouth) was third woman in 27-17.

“Moving to Paceline RT over winter has really helped motivate me this season,” said Critchlow. “It’s a club very much focused on racing and has a strong group of riders who are motivated to do well which has really pushed me on.

“Paul Burton in the club was one of the best masters TT riders in the country last year, and training with him has really helped me along with Simon Skinner who is super strong.

“In terms of racing it has picked up since the Crawley Wheelers hilly TT in April when I was third but a long way back on time because I rode 20 miles with a puncture - but it gave me something to build on.

“After I won on Bentley two weeks later in 49:17 I was really surprised, especially because I beat a quality field so I knew I needed to back it up. That’s what I’ve been trying to do since then, focus on winning each race and trying to improve every ride.

“I was really pleased to win the SCCU event on Holmwood. It’s a course I’ve struggled on because my bike handling isn’t great and I kept dropping onto the base bar on fast descents.

“But this year I am managing to stay in the TT position for the entire distance which makes a huge difference.

“My next target is the National Team TT Championships which I am riding with Paul Burton and Pat Wright from Paceline. This is first team time trial I have raced since 1992 when I was part of a Great Britain team with Roger Hammond and Jez Hunt that beat Germany by a second.”

In the road bike category victory went to Davi A Braga (Verulam CC) in 23-47, just over a minute clear of Geirge Baritsch (Clapham Chasers) in second, while Zoey Cresswell (Velociposse CC) was quickest female on a road bike with 28-20, 33 seconds ahead of Teresa Goddard (Kingston Wheelers).

As well as Critchlow’s victory Paceline RT were celebrating a win in the handicap category where Keith Lea was fastest with 19-20, just nine seconds ahead of Martin Cade (Cranleigh CC), with Jonathan Besly (Dorking CC) another five seconds back in third.

Colin McDermott (Festival RC) was best veteran on standard with a plus of 8-43, giving him the win by 1-50 from Adrian Blacker (VTTA Surrey/Sussex).

The popular G10/42 course begins near North Holmwood and heads south on the A24 through Beare Green and turns at Clark’s Green for the run to the finish.

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