The fastest riders in the open and women’s categories set new course records at the Stowmarket and District CC 15-mile event in Suffolk, in the second event to be run on a revised course.

Becky Ridge (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) clocked 37-26 for the 2024 edition of the BS33 course near Debenham to lower her own course record, while her team-mate Matt O’Brien covered the distance in 33-30 to set a new course record in the open category.

In the road bikes category Lee Shipp (Diss and District CC) was quickest in 37-34, with fastest female on a road bike was Kerry Brennand (Newmarket Cycling and Triathlon Club) in 43-29.

It was a fine and clear afternoon for Saturday’s event although a bit breezy, and the roads are rolling and rural with pretty draggy surfaces.

O’Brien’s time of 33-30 gave him the win on the day by 23 seconds from Mark Richards (DAP CC) with Matthew Peck (Ipswich BC) third in 36-41. O’Brien was also the top veteran on standard, and helped Loose Cannon’s Conditioning to the team prize as well.

“It was my first race of the year so nice to put the winter’s training to good use and give the legs a test,” said Matt O’Brien.

“It’s a proper sporting course which makes it a little more interesting than a typical out and back. The win was a little unexpected but nice to get and hopefully a good sign for the season ahead.”

Becky Ridge was almost a minute quicker than the female runner-up Hannah O’Brien (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) in 38-24, while third quickest female on a time trial bike was Amy Sole (Full Moo Cycling) in 42-08.

Shipp’s time of 37-34 in the road bike category was 1-22 ahead of Simon Thorpe (Stowmarket & Dist CC) in second, while Nick Partridge (Sole Bay Cycle Sport) was third in 39-26.

In other categories Kerry Brennand’s time of 43-29 gave her the win in the women’s road bike event by 4-10 from Carla Shipp (Diss and District CC).

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

Results:

Open:

1st Matt O'Brien, Loose Cannon's Conditioning 33:30 (course record)
2nd Mark Richards, DAP CC 33:53
3rd Matthew Peck, Ipswich BC  36:41
4th Glenn Taylor, Shorter Rochford RT 36:46
5th Peter Hurry, Plomesgate CC, 36:52
6th Ian Short, CC Sudbury 37:12

Female TT bike category:
1st Becky Ridge, Loose Cannon's Conditioning 37:26 CR - breaking her own course record
2nd Hannah O'Brien, Loose Cannon's Conditioning 38:24
3rd Amy Sole, Full Moo Cycling 42:08
4th Ann Shuttleworth, Cambridge CC, 44:40

Female Road bike category
1st Kerry Brennand, Newmarket Cycling and Triathlon Club 43:29
2nd Carla Shipp, Diss & District CC                             47:39

Male Road Bike Category
1st Lee Shipp, Diss & District CC  37:34
2nd Simon Thorpe, Stowmarket and District CC 38:56
3rd Nick Partridge, Sole Bay Cycle Sport 39:26
4th Jason Turner, Norwich ABC, 40:03
5th Andy Kennedy, Ipswich BC 41:24
6th David Webster, Velouse Flyers 41:25

Veteran winner on Standard: 1st Matt O'Brien, Loose Cannon's Conditioning 33:30

Team: Loose Cannon's Conditioning