Lee Tunnicliffe (South Normanton CC) and Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team) battled through cold and misty conditions to take victories at the VC Long Eaton 10 on Easter Sunday.

Both riders opened their accounts for 2024 in their first events, and the cold morning start made it feel like an early season outing.

Tunnicliffe, aged 38 and from Hucknall, was the only rider to beat the 21-minute barrier as he recorded a winning time of 20-25.

The A10/19 saw competitors start outside Etwall on the A516 before joining the A50 out to the turn at the Foston Interchange and then the return journey into a headwind.

Tunnicliffe won two open time trials last season and on this occasion he was 44 seconds quicker than his nearest opponent Daniel Barnett (Team Bottrill) in 21-09.

Completing the open time trial bike podium positions was fellow Team Bottrill rider Graham Waller whose time of 21-46 was just a single second quicker than Ian Guilor (Mapperley CC).

“The cold air made it feel a lot thicker,” said Tunnicliffe. “It’s quite nice to win as I’ve been training for my first triathlon this year.

“I went on a training camp in Calpe in February and have got some good early season form. I’ll probably just ride local events and the National 25, I’m under no illusions but I’ll give it my best shot.”

In the women’s event veteran rider Semple, from Stafford, recorded a winning time of 24-44 which was a minute quicker than her nearest competitor.

Sarah Harrison (Trek Sheffield) was the only other female rider and she completed the course in 25-49.

“It was cold this morning,” said Semple. “We also had the fog to cater with, but it was excellently organised by Rob Wild with so many marshals who really helped.

“It was an 8am start and was so bitterly cold and breezy at times. It wasn’t a large women’s category but a good start to the season for me.

“I was five seconds faster than in this event last year so I’m in similar form to last year.”

Veteran Marc Fairclough (Beeston Road Club) won his first open event in the road bike category, stopping the clock in 26-37.

Second in category was Kevin Humphreys (Sherwood CC) in 27-52, while Nigel Gleeson (VTTA Merseyside) completed the podium positions (32-46).

The only tricycle competitor was Jymmy Trevor (City RC Hull) who covered the course in a time of 26-00.

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

Results:

Open:
1 Lee Tunnicliffe (South Normanton CC)      20.25
2 Daniel Barnett (Team Bottrill)         21.09
3 Graham Waller (Team Bottrill)        21.46
4 Ian Guilor (Mapperley CC) 21.47
5 Martin Fisher (Melton Olympic CC)           22.05
6 Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team)       22.12

Women:
1 Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team)          24.44
2 Sarah Harrison (Trek Sheffield)       25.49

Road bikes:
1 Marc Fairclough (Beeston Road Club)        26.37
2 Kevin Humphreys (Sherwood CC) 27.52
3 Nigel Gleeson (VTTA Merseyside) 32.46

Tricycle: Jymmy Trevor (City RC Hull)         26.00