Paul Burton (Paceline RT) and host club rider Simone Mitchell took the men’s and women’s victories respectively in the …a3crg 50, on a day when breezy conditions impacted on times.

Burton, aged 41, took his third open time trial victory of the season posting a time of one hour, 39 minutes and 26 seconds.

Meanwhile, Mitchell was pushed all the way for victory in the women’s event with her time of 1-57-06 just 26 seconds quicker than Lizi Brooke (Wahoo Le Col).

The P881L/50 saw competitors complete two out and back laps along the A3. Starting outside Liss riders headed north easterly into the wind over the Longmoor Ranges to the turn at Liphook.

On the second leg of the course competitors headed back down the A3 back down to near Weston and then turning to complete the lap of just under 25 miles.

At the completion of the second lap riders continued past the start to finish just off the following roundabout.

Burton won the Redhill CC sporting 18 and Kingston Wheelers sporting 14 in February and took another win on this occasion.

His closest competitor Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports | Cannondale RT) has chalked up six open time trial victories this season but had to settle for second this time out in 1-41-25.

A close battle for third saw Howard Shaw (trainSharp) finish in 1-43-45 which was 23 seconds quicker than Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) (1-44-08).

Spindata had predicted a victory for Burton in 1-38-21, but in tough conditions he was over a minute slower in reality.

Burton’s victory came a week after the veteran finished third in the ECCA 50 in his first outing over the distance this season recording a time of 1-37-42.

“It was good, there was a bit of a north easterly wind which meant it was not too much fun out there,” said Burton.

“I’m really happy, it was my first 50 of the year last week in the ECCA 50 and this week it felt much better.

“I was putting out five watts more than last year but went three minutes slower (1-36-48 in the same event last season), I knew it was going to be a much more difficult day and much slower.

“I’m aiming to peak for the National 50, it’s a good distance for me and I would love a top five but it depends on who is competing.”

The men’s team award went to Fulfil The Potential RT with Tom Thornely, Henrik Persson and Lee Williams all contributing.

In the women’s event Mitchell, aged 34, took victory on her first open time trial outing of the season and was just 37 seconds slower than Claire Emons course record of 1-56-29, set in much faster conditions.

Brooke pushed her opponent all the way finishing second 1-57-32, while veteran rider Emons (...a3crg) was third (2-01-25).

One of the pre-race favourites Alex Clay (Team Bottrill) suffered an unfortunate puncture after 25 miles ending her chances.

Paceline RT had a second victory of the day when Tim Lewis won the road bike category stopping the clock in 1-52-33.

Malcolm Cox (Velo Club St Raphael) was second road bike in 1-59-18 ahead of team-mate Stephen Skinner in third (2-11-42). There were no female road bike competitors.

In the veteran’s category with results based on age adjusted time 70-year-old Chris Lord (Brighton Excelsior CC) took victory with his time of 1-54-25 adjusted to 1-36-29.

After finishing runner-up on scratch McNamara was second with an age adjusted time of 1-38-13, while Neil Mackley (...a3crg) was third 1:38.27.

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

Results

Men
1 Paul Burton (Paceline RT) 1:39.26
2 Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports | Cannondale RT) 1:41.25
3 Howard Shaw (trainSharp) 1:43.45
4 Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) 1:44.08
5 Howard Bayley (Blazing Saddles) 1:44.34
6 Andrew Rivett (Velo Club St Raphael) 1:45.14

Team: Fulfil The Potential RT (Tom Thornely, Henrik Persson & Lee Williams)

Women
1 Simone Mitchell (...a3crg) 1:57.06
2 Lizi Brooke (Wahoo Le Col) 1:57.32
3 Claire Emons (...a3crg) 2:01.25
4 Emma O'Toole (Districts Of Hamwic Cyclesport) 2:06.32
5 Kirsty McSeveney (...a3crg) 2:14.29
6 Josie Smailes (Velo Club Venta) 2:17.40

Road bike
1 Tim Lewis (Paceline RT) 1:52.33
2 Malcolm Cox (Velo Club St Raphael) 1:59.18
3 Stephen Skinner (Velo Club St Raphael) 2:11.42
4 Vernon Schutte (Farnborough & Camberley CC) 2:21.09

Veterans on age adjusted time
1 Chris Lord (Brighton Excelsior CC) 1:36.29
2 Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports | Cannondale RT) 1:38.13
3 Neil Mackley (...a3crg) 1:38.27