Simon McNamara earned a ninth win of the season in the men’s event at the Team TMC 10-mile time trial in Steyning, West Sussex, on Sunday morning, with Kate Mankelow finishing as fastest female.
Sigma Sports rider McNamara was the only rider to finish in sub-20-00, going 19-55 to take first place had of Howard Shaw (trainSharp) who clocked 20-09, while Brighton Mitre CC’s Cris Coxon sealed the final podium spot in 20-17.
Pre-race Spindata favourite McNamara lived up to his billing and now has a third successive win, having competed in 19 open time trials so far in 2023, with top placings at the Addiscombe CC 10-mile time trial on July 29 preceded by victory at the Brighton Excelsior CC 25-mile time trial on July 9.
On his victory, McNamara said: “It was quite a tough morning today, 11 degrees with a northerly wind made the going tough so I was pleased with my ride as last week I was rolled by Paul Burton on his road bike which knocks your confidence a little!
“I’ve been riding this course pretty much my whole cycling life so know it inside out - hold back at the start, hit the drag back up hard and then save a little for the final 2.5 miles.
“I have the Sussex CA 15 next weekend and then something completely different riding SBT GRVL gravel race in the States.”
In the road bike category James Billen ensured more success for trainSharp with the fastest finish in 21-36, while Team TMC’s Robert Lovett took the runner-up position in 21-58 and a time of 22-02 helped Paceline RT’s Matt Phipps-Taylor to third.
Mankelow’s time of 23-04 ensured she took the top prize in the women’s category, with Jane Barker of Gillingham and District Wheelers and Velociposse’s Alice Connor both not starting the time trial.
This event, run on the G10/98 course, starts just south of Washington and heads southbound on the A24 until reaching Findon, where riders follow the route back northbound past Washington to Ashington before again retracing the route back to finish just north of Washington.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.
Results:
Men:
1. Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports) 19.55
2. Howard Shaw (trainSharp) 20.09
3. Cris Coxon (Brighton Mitre CC) 20.17
4. Matthew Smith (Team TMC) 20.29
5. Michael Renardson (trainSharp) 20.35
6. Stuart Bettis (Precise Performance RT) 20.51
Women:
1. Kate Mankelow (Lewes Wanderers CC) 23.04