Reigning national 24-hour champion Chris Murray showed her versatility when she secured the Welsh 50-Mile Championship title in Monmouthshire yesterday, while Jake Sargent was crowned the men’s winner.

Murray (Army Cycling) was pleased with her win despite missing out on the two-hour mark by just one second, but her time of 2-00-01 gave her a comfortable winning margin of 7-05 from runner-up Roxy Woodfield (Ludlow Brewery RT), while moving up from fourth last year was Sarah Murray (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri), third in 2-07-48.

Sargent was also a convincing winner, the Team Bottrill rider clocking 1-39-43 to win by 3-26 from Bynea CC veteran Chris Gibbard, while Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) was another 1-49 back in third spot.

After his win on the R50/1b course near Abergavenny, Sargent said: “Today was a good day for me, I had one goal and that was to get under 1:40 which would be a personal best and hopefully move me up a position on the short BBAR table.

“It was a tough race, really windy throughout and seemingly changing direction from lap to lap making it hard to pace. I was very happy with how I rode it, but would like to come back again next year on a faster day and see what I can do!”

Women’s winner Murray – who was a non-finisher last year thanks to mechanical issues - said: “In spite of the trademark expert organisation from the Welsh CA, today was not an easy day out!”

Murray was six minutes quicker when she last completed the event two years ago, proving how tough it was for this year’s edition.

She added: “Blustery crosswinds for much of the route meant there was very little for ‘free’. However I was pleased with my ride - I paced it well and dug deep when needed - sadly just missing out on the two-hour mark by one measly second! But I’m also secretly proud of a time that would irritate those who like round numbers!

“This was my last TT bike race of the season; tomorrow I get to finish another successful season on my road bike on local roads in the National Road Bike Championships. What’s not to like!”

In other categories, fastest rider on a road bike was Karl Norris (360VRT) in 1-55-30.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill)           1:39.43

2. Chris Gibbard (Bynea CC) 1:43.09

3. Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic)         1:44.58

4. Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King) 1:46.58

5. Jack Kellam (Cardiff Ajax CC)      1:48.27

6. Dylan Griffiths (Univ of Bath CC) 1:48.36

Women:

1. Chris Murray (Army Cycling)        2:00.01

2. Roxy Woodfield (Ludlow Brewery RT)     2:07.06

3. Sarah Murray (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri)     2:07.48

4. Lisa Davies (VMCC powered by Y Beic)  2:15.51

5. Gretchen Zoeller (VTTA Yorkshire)           2:16.19

6. Hollie Labunsky (Port Talbot Wheelers)    2:18.31