Mark Richards earned a dramatic one-second win at the Great Yarmouth CC 10-mile time trial in Norfolk on Good Friday, with Laura Davies breaking her own course record to finish as fastest female.

Riding for DAP CC, Richards stopped the clock at 19-42 – just ahead of runner-up David Halliday (Team Bottrill) who fell agonisingly short in 19-43, while Diss & District CCC rider Lee Shipp took the final spot on the podium in 20-33.

Having set the previous course record of 21-56, Davies (Jadan Vive Le Velo) lowered that by a further 49 seconds in setting 21-07 to take the women’s top prize ahead of the 22-18 set by Becky Ridge (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) while Sole Bay Cycle Sport’s Denise Hurren was third in 23-16.

Having damaged her elbow at the National Circuit Championships last season, Davies was delighted to start her season with a record-breaking effort.

She said: “I've not been able to spend much time on the TT bike so the record was a huge surprise!

“This was a good opening event for the season on a non-technical and flat course, with some interesting conditions! A strong cross-tailwind out meant I had to try and up the power in the second half, which seemingly paid off.

“I've worked really hard over the winter in terms of training so it's a positive start. I'm excited to see what the rest of the season holds!”

Richards also helped DAP CC claim the fastest team prize alongside Matthew Holland (21-26) and Liam Gentry (21-36).

“It’s two out of two for me after also winning the Plomesgate CC event,” said Richards.

“There was a good tailwind out which was nice and then headwind back, which is good for that course.

“The course is 5.5 miles to the turn and 4.5 miles back. It’s always difficult to gauge and after the first few miles I thought my numbers were a bit low.

“I came back right on my targeted power. I started in time trialling and then got to elite level in road racing. That takes up more time so I’m doing a lot more time trials this year.”

Abigail Bremner (Beccles Tri Club) was first woman on handicap in an overall time off 15-07 and adjusted time of 11-27, while Hurren earned further success as quickest female veteran on standard in +6-35.

In the men’s events, Steve Cave (Plomesgate CC) set a handicap time of 7-52 and 14-09 overall to take first handicap, while veteran on standard top prize went to Chris Dyason of Cambridge CC in +7-34.

Toby Barnes was quickest youth for DAP CC in 22-43.

This event, run on the B10/43 course, is a very flat single carriageway course, with a generally reasonable surface, that starts northwest of Harleston and heads northwest on the A143 past Homersfield and then Earsham before reaching Bungay, where riders turn and follow the route back along the A143 to finish northeast of the start line by Homersfield.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

* Photos by Capture the Moment Photography.

Results:

Open:

1. Mark Richards (DAP CC)  19.42

2. David Halliday (Team Bottrill)       19.43

3. Lee Shipp (Diss & District CC)     20.33

4. James Bullen (Team TMC) 20.39

5. Chris Holmes (VC Norwich)          20.47

6. Lewis Roberts (Blackspokes RT)   21.13

Women:

1. Laura Davies (Jadan Vive Le Velo)            21.07  

2. Becky Ridge (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning)        22.18

3. Denise Hurren (Sole Bay Cycle Sport)       23.16

4. Abigail Bremner (Beccles Tri Club)           26.34

5. Kerstin Langer (Great Yarmouth CC)        26.55

6. Jenny Anderson (Great Yarmouth CC)       27.44