Carl Donaldson (GS Metro) took victory in the Andy Mallen Memorial Race – which is staged by GS Metro in honour of their former team-mate - while Lois Jarvis (Muckle Cycle Club) won the women’s event.

Donaldson, from Morpeth, clocked a winning time of one hour and six seconds over the 26-mile undulating course, which was 32 seconds quicker than his nearest rival.

The sporting course which starts and finishes in Belsay is always a popular event and is used as a medium counter for the District BAR Competition.

Heading out past the Bolam Lake Country Park competitors complete an out and back opening leg for the first and last six miles.

Once riders reached Scots Gap riders joined the B6343 and then completed a loop on unclassified before re-joining the road back to Belsay.

Some 39 riders took to the start line on a cool Saturday morning which was not ideal for fast times in the Northeast of England.

Donaldson, aged 42, from the host club put in a solid performance to claim top step on the podium.

He said after the event: “I’m very happy to be back racing this event in honour of a former team-mate and thrilled to take the win on a cold grey day.”

John Routledge led the battle behind stopping the clock in 1-00-38 which was nine seconds quicker than GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline team-mate Terry Wilkinson.

In the women’s event Jarvis was a clear winner with her time of 1-11-53 over two minutes clear than her nearest opponent.

A close battle for second saw Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) finish in 1-14-03 which was seven seconds faster than Jen McMahon (Jadan Vive Le Velo) in 1-14-10.

“I’m really delighted to get the win today,” said Jarvis. “It’s a tough course and it certainly felt even tougher today in the cold conditions with rain thrown in at times.

“The nice downhill return section certainly helped to keep my focus.”

In the road bike category Jemil Tokdemir (Team ASL-Bolton) was the fastest with his time of 1-04-28 good enough for ninth overall.

Simon Crisp (Gosforth RC) provided a tough challenge and was just 16 seconds slower, while quickest road bike veteran Phil Cook (Velo Culture) was third in the category (1-09-11).

Caroline Cunningham (North Tyneside Riders CC) was quickest woman in the road bike category stopping the clock in 1-22-32 ahead of Angela McGurk (Blaydon CC) in second (1-24-50).

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Men:
1 Carl Donaldson              GS Metro             1:00:06
2 John Routledge              GTR - Return To Life P/B Streamline           1:00:38
3 Terry Wilkinson              GTR - Return To Life P/B Streamline           1:00:47
4 Darren Robson              Muckle Cycle Club            1:01:04
5 Jamie Berry     Vector Racing     1:01:15
6 Philip Kennell  GS Metro             1:01:22

Women:
1 Lois Jarvis         Muckle Cycle Club            1:11:53
2 Louise Burnie  Blaydon CC          1:14:03
3 Jen McMahon Jadan Vive Le Velo            1:14:10
 

Road bike:

1 Jemil Tokdemir               Team ASL-Bolton              1:04:28
2 Simon Crisp     Gosforth RC        1:04:44
3 Phil Cook          Velo Culture        1:09:11
4 Noel Stoddart Allen Valley Velo               1:09:33
5 James Corfield               GS Metro             1:09:39
6 Tom Guy           Sunderland Clarion          1:10:10

Women:
1 Caroline Cunningham North Tyneside Riders CC              1:22:32
2 Angela McGurk              Blaydon CC          1:24:50