Victoria Smith (Alba Development Road Team) and Nic Fennell (Thanet Road Club) were fastest female and male riders respectively at the VTTA Kent Group 50-Mile Championships near Hamstreet on Sunday morning.

With several heavy showers throughout the event, the wind nevertheless proved helpful to many with a tailwind along the coastal section of the Q50/11 course. Several riders reported personal best times despite a short section of temporary traffic lights on the Camber to Lydd section.

Smith was over ten minutes clear of her nearest rival. Sher clocked 1-58-05 while second was Ashford Wheelers’ Maria Sparks in 2-08-20, and East Grinstead CC veteran Domie Pollard took third, another 20 minutes back.

Fennell had team-mate Paul Burrows for company on the podium, his time of 1-51-14 taking second spot by just four seconds from Martin Kober (Abellio SFA RT) in third.

“It was great to finally do a 50 this season, I quite enjoy the distance and feel I get into a good rhythm on them,” said Fennell. “I was very pleased to post the time I did, it really wasn't expected.

“The rain, which came in some heavy showers with the mostly constant drizzle makes the course quite slippery on the technical sections which I was taking very gingerly, and it also makes it tough to see the poor road surface from East Guildford turn to Lydd roundabout.

“The wind also picked up on the second of the two laps which made me twitchy on the first part of the lap but it was a very fast return. I’m looking forward to getting out to do the next 50 on my calendar now.

“Thank you to all the marshals and time keepers for standing out in the less than ideal conditions!”

Thanet Road Club also celebrated a one-two in the veterans on age adjusted time category, with Simon Henderson and Paul Burrows taking the top two placings with 1-45-47 and 1-49-07 respectively.

Top trike was Mark Vowells (San Fairy Ann CC) in 2-21-31.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Nic Fennell (Thanet RC)    1:44.42

2. Paul Burrows (Thanet RC) 1:51.14

3. Martin Kober (Abellio-SFA RT)    1:51.18

Women:

1. Victoria Smith (Alba Development RT)    1:58.05

2. Maria Sparks (Ashford Wheelers)  2:08.20

3. Domie Pollard (East Grinstead CC)           2:28.23

Veterans on age adjusted time: Simon Henderson (Thanet RC)        1:45.47