Andy Critchlow continued a fine season with victory in the men’s time trial bike category at the Sussex CA 15-mile time trial – amended from 30 miles – with Matt Phipps-Taylor the winner in the road bike group in Sussex on Sunday morning to seal a Paceline RT double.

Pre-race Spindata favourite Critchlow, riding for Paceline RT, produced a devastating performance to finish in 30-22, almost a minute ahead of Howard Shaw (trainsharp) who took the runners-up spot in 31-11, while Brighton Mitre CC’s Cris Coxon sealed third place in 31-56.

In the road bike category, Critchlow’s clubmate Phipps-Taylor led the field in 34-54, seeing off the 36—28 set by Aaron Sparks-Carolan, while Rapha CC’s John Blight took the final spot on the podium in 37-15.

Critchlow now has seven victories from 12 completed time trials so far this season, with victories at the Farnborough & Camberley CC 25-mile time trial, Sussex CA 10 and 25-mile time trial in May, ECCA Championship 50-mile time trial on May 27, and the Epsom CC 10-mile time trial and Sussex CA 50-mile time trials in June.

Critchlow said: “Credit to Robin who organised the event for having a plan B to run the event over 15 miles.

“It’s just a shortened version of the same course so it didn’t impact the race too much, just had to shift into 10 mile TT mode. Windy and wet conditions were tough and I was pleased to break the 15 mile course record on Steyning by 34 seconds.

“I’ve also changed my position to comply with UCI regulations for the Masters World Champs in Scotland and found that tricky to get used to especially in the cross winds using short two-finger extension grips.”

The team award was open to both categories with an emphatic win by GS Stella in 1:50-22 led by Tony Reeves (35-47) and backed by local District Committee chairman, Mark Jones (36-37) and Richard Keevil (37-58).

A new Veterans’ National age record for mixed Tandem Trikes was set by visitors, Mary Corbett and 90 years old Norman Harvey, both from Sotonia CC, with 47-25.

Instead of being held on the 30-mile G30/91, this event became the Sussex CA 15-mile time trial on course G15/92 because of traffic lights at unscheduled waterworks on the 30-mile course.

Riders also had to contend with standing water on the course due to overnight rain as well as 15mph winds across the route proving unhelpful.

No female riders took part in this event.

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

Results:

1. Andy Critchlow (Paceline RT)       30.22

2. Howard Shaw (trainSharp) 31.11

3. Cris Coxon (Brighton Mitre CC)    31.56

4. Adrian Blacker (VTTA Surrey/Sussex)      35.00

5. Ferenc File (Horsham Cycling)      35.33

6. Tony Reeves (GS Stella)    35.47

Road bikes:

1. Matt Phipps-Taylor (Paceline RT) 34.54

2. Aaron Sparks-Carolan (Sussex Revolution VC)    36.28

3. John Blight (Rapha CC)     37.15

4. Vernon Schutte (Farnborough & Camberley CC)  43.54