Veteran rider Philip Kennell (GS Metro) took his first ever open time trial victory at the Tyne & Wear Fire Service CC 12, while Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) won the women’s event in a new course record.

Kennell, from Hexham, recorded a winning time of 26 minutes and 55 seconds over the undulating terrain on quiet Northumberland roads.

Meanwhile, Rea took a minute and 23 seconds off the previous course record with her winning time of 29-27 good enough for 13th place overall.

The M12S course saw riders start and finish near Stamfordham before heading out northwards on the B6309 for the opening miles 2.5 miles.

Competitors then turned onto an unclassified road and headed past the villages of Ingoe, Matfen and Fenwick before heading to the finish.

A warm and sunny spring afternoon greeted riders providing the opportunity for fast times – the course on relatively quiet country roads, barring the odd horse rider and groups of leisure cyclists who were also enjoying dry road conditions.

Kennell, aged 56, finished sixth in the GS Metro 26 and Vector Racing 25 events in his last two open events - but went better over the shorter course to take victory.

Darren Robson (Muckle Cycle Club) provided tough competition finishing just four seconds behind in 26-59, while Nick Badcock (Allen Valley Velo) finished third (27-04).

“It was a really nice surprise when I walked into the HQ afterwards and someone told me I’d won just a few seconds before the prize-giving,” said Kennell.

“The undulating and technical nature of the course makes it quite challenging.  Thankfully I didn’t have to slow up for any horse-riders and there wasn’t any farm machinery out and about on the course today.”

In the women’s event Rea was in fine form finishing 2-37 ahead of her closest opponent to take a clear victory.

The 35-year-old, from Prudhoe, was also part of the winning team at the Blaydon CC 2-up team time trial and took her first solo open time trial of the season this time out.

A close battle for second saw Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) stop the clock in 32-04 which was four seconds quicker than quickest veteran on scratch Adele McAleer (Velo Culture) in 32-08.           

“It’s great to be out on that course again – it’s one of the best in the NE District and it’s the one where I did my first ever TT,” said Rea. “It’s nice to feel like I’m making some progress too after a disrupted winter for various personal reasons.  Tyne & Wear Fire Service CC ordered the beautiful weather and put on a great TT.”

Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club) took a clear victory in the road bike event with his time of 27-48 good enough for fifth placed overall.

A close battle for the remaining podium positions saw Joshua Hodgson (GS Metro) finish second in 29-01, while Michael Charlton (Barnesbury CC) was third (29-54).

The women’s road bike category was also closely fought with Caroline Cunningham (North Tyneside Riders CC) posting the fastest time of 34-13.

A further 30 seconds behind was Bella Butler (AWOL O’Shea Worx) in second 34-53, while Phoebe Skinner (Derwentside CC) was third (36-06).

Results:

Men:

1             Philip Kennell     GS Metro             26:55                   

2             Darren Robson  Muckle Cycle Club            26:59                   

3             Nick Badcock      Allen Valley Velo               27:04                   

4             Phil Hall                Velo Culture        27:36                   

5             Russ Richardson                Zurbaran Racing                28:23   

6             Tim Burdon        Allen Valley Velo               28:31   

Women:

1             Joanne Rea          Team Kirkley Cycles          29:27

2             Louise Burnie     Blaydon CC          32:04                   

3             Adele McAleer   Velo Culture        32:08   

4             Frances Wilde    Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 34:20

=5           Natalie Mortimer              Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service CC     34:24                   

=5           Justine Norman Velo Culture        34:24                   

Road bikes:

1             Hugo Storey       Muckle Cycle Club            27:48

2             Joshua Hodgson               GS Metro             29:01

3             Michael Charlton              Barnesbury CC   29:54                   

4             Julian MacBride Team Kirkley Cycles          30:03                   

5             Neil Wilkinson   Blaydon CC          30:05

6             Charlie Thew      Racing Metro 15               30:20                   

Road bikes women:

1             Caroline Cunningham     North Tyneside Riders CC              34:13

2             Bella Butler         AWOL O’Shea Worx         34:53

3             Phoebe Skinner Derwentside CC                36:06                   

4             Sarah Minto       North Tyneside Riders CC              36:20

5             Emma Givens     Alnwick & District Triathlon Club                 40:45