Jozsef Owen began his 2024 campaign with victory at the Birkenhead North End Cycling Club 22-mile time trial in Cheshire on Friday morning, with fastest female being Sally Cunliffe.

Riding for his new team ADDFORM Vive Le Velo, Owen clocked 44-10 to take first place by just 16 seconds from runner-up Benjamin Goodfellow (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham Cycling Club) in 44-26, while the final spot on the podium went to Velotik Racing Team rider Toby Williams in 44-55.

Having ended his 2023 season with victory at the West Cheshire TTA 25-mile time trial on September 10 – one of six victories last year – Owen has picked up where he left off.

On his win, Owen said: “The Birkenhead North End CC 22 is a local race to me which marks the start of the season.

“The weather is often hit or miss this time of year - but we were lucky to have the sun on our side in this year's edition.

“My race went well, and I was glad to take the win in my first open of the year. It felt like a long winter so I'm glad to be back racing.”

Cunliffe took the prize for fastest female with a time of 1:03-21 for Velotik Racing.

Fastest road bike was claimed by Steven Fidler (Velo6 Racing) in 47-56 for sixth place overall, ahead of Chris Spencer (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) who set 52-31, with a time of 53-21 helping Ade Golver (Graham Weigh Racing – Deeside Olympic) to third place in the road bike category.

This event, run on the D22/1 course, is a 22-mile hilly time trial on a looped circuit that starts just west of Clutton and heads southbound on the A41 through No Man’s Heath before reaching Whitchurch where riders turn northbound on the A49 to tackle the return leg of the loop, turning westbound at Ridley to ride into the finish on Barnhill Road, east 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.

* Photos by Paul Lawton.

Results:

Open:

1. Jozsef Owen (ADDFORM Vive Le Velo) TT Bike            44.10

2. Benjamin Goodfellow (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham Cycling Club) TT Bike         44.26

3. Toby Williams (Velotik Racing Team) TT Bike                 44.55

4. Thomas Brazier (HUUB WattShop) TT Bike         45.36

5. Kieran Morris (Total Tri Traiing) TT Bike 47.08

6. Steven Fidler (Velo6 Racing) Road Bike   47.56

7. Alan Broadbent (Graham Weigh Racing – Deeside Olympic) TT Bike                 48.43

8. Jarod Garrington (Velotik Racing Team) TT Bike 48.45

9. Robin Hennessey (Velotik Racing Team) TT Bike 49.18

10. Neil Buckley (Port Sunlight Wheelers) TT Bike  49.42

Female:

1. Sally Cunliffe (Velotik Racing Team) TT Bike      1:03.21