Ross Hamilton began his time trial season with a dramatic one-second victory over Simon Adcook at the Cardiff 100 Miles RCC 15-mile event on Saturday afternoon in Monmouthshire.
Port Talbot Wheelers CC rider Hamilton clocked 31-35 to pip Adcook to the top prize after the Team Echelon rider crossed the line in 31-36, with both well ahead of third-placed Jonathan Mills-Keeling (Bridgnorth Cycling Club) who managed 32-57 in his season-opening race.
In the two-u category Pontypool Road Cycling Club pair Paul Hayward and Gerry Bowditch took victory in 32-00, ahead of Alex Bath and Jody Barker, riding for Team Zero-Allez, who registered 39-47 over the course.
In his first race since finishing 19th at the Royal Dean Forest CC 25-mile time trial on August 28, Hamilton recorded a first solo time trial success as he began the 2023 campaign in perfect fashion.
He will now hope to build on this over the course of the season, having previously won the Port Talbot Wheelers Four-Up in June 2022 and finished as runner-up at the Oxonian CC 50 last July.
The route, on course R15/5, starts just opposite the Hardwick Pub to the east of Llanellen and proceeds north-west to Hardwick roundabout before taking the first exit onto the A40 to Raglan, encircling the roundabout to return towards Abergavenny.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.
Results:
Men:
1. Ross Hamilton (Port Talbot Wheelers) 31-35
2. Simon Adcook (Team Echelon) 31-36
3. Jonathan Mills-Keeling (Bridgnorth CC) 32-57
4. Robbie Disney (Ludlow CC) 34-36
5. Paul Winchcombe (Chippenham & District Wh) 35-07
6. Dan Laasna Reuter (Virtual Cycling Club) 35-25
Two-Up:
1. Paul Hayward and Gerry Bowditch (Pontypool RCC) 32-00
2. Alex Bath and Jody Parker (Team Zero-Allez) 39-47