Paul Horton earned a first-ever open time trial victory after proving fastest at the Wrekinsport CC Chris Edwards Hilly 18-mile time trial, while quickest road bike went to Matthew Garthwaite on Saturday afternoon.

Riding for Bridgnorth CC, Horton clocked 41-56 to take top place, nine seconds ahead of the 42-05 set by Stafford RC rider Thomas Bill, while Matthew Garthwaite took the final spot on the podium in 42-07.

The Newport Shropshire CC rider was also fastest entrant on a road bike, with Nick Giles (Pocomotion Road Club) second in that category with 46-41, while third place went to Paul Bailey, riding for Bridgnorth Cycling Club, who set 47-48.

The fastest rider on veteran on standard was Legato Racing Team rider Joseph Costello who was +4-26 in 44-39, while Giles was runner up in +2-24, just a second ahead of Bryn Davies (Hafren CC) who was fourth overall in +2-33 and a time of 43-11.

Horton had previously entered just open six time trials with results including 12th at the WTTCA 50 in 2021 and seventh at the Midlands VTTA 10 last year.

This event, run on the D317/1 course, follows a south easterly route past Wroxeter along the B4380 then bearing east through Leighton on Buildwas Bank before riders reach Lightmoor Village roundabout, turning back and retracing the route back past Buildwas, then Leighton to finish just north of the start line.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Paul Horton (Bridgnorth CC)         41.56

2. Thomas Bill (Stafford RC) 42.05

3. Matthew Garthwaite (Road Bike) (Newport Shropshire CC)        42.07

4. Bryn Davies (Hafren CC)   43.11

5. Simon Romei (Paramount CRT)    43.46

6. Steve Smales (Harrogate Nova CC)           43.53

6. Jonathan Whittaker (Army Cycling)           43.53

8. Jack Casey (Stafford RC)   44.14

9. Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team)      44.39

10 Oli Freeman (Wrekinsport CC)     45.20