Linda Dewhurst (Ride Revolution Coaching) and Keith Dorling (Team Bottrill) battled through wet conditions in Shropshire to clinch the VTTA National 25-Mile Championship titles.

Dewhurst, aged 65, clinched the VTTA National 10 and 15-mile titles earlier this season and added the 25-mile title to her growing collection.

Organised by Merseyside VTTA, the 25-mile course started south of Prees Heath, near Whitchurch, and headed out and back along the A49 to the turn at Battlefield, Shrewsbury, before making the slightly longer return.

However, wet conditions and surface water for the Sunday morning event was a challenge and resulted in many riders opting not to start.

Dewhurst, from Buckingham, was not deterred and was the quickest woman on scratch in 1-03-54 which was then reduced to 51-01 on age adjusted time.

The Ride Revolution Coaching competitor posted an adjusted time which was quick enough for second place overall amongst the open category.

Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill) took silver with an age adjusted time of 53-54 and Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC) finished third (1-05-18).

“It was horrendous,” said Dewhurst. “There was standing water on the course and constant rain, but it wasn’t cold.

“It was a shame that the weather saw a lot of people withdraw, which was understandable as you couldn’t see any potholes.

“I was very pleased to win another title, for me it was more about safety than speed. I was probably two or three minutes down on normal.

“That’s the end of the season for me, I’m more than happy with what I’ve managed to do this season.”

In the open event Dorling, aged 65, from Essex, posted a time of 57-37 which was reduced to 50-58 to take gold.

Taking silver in the open category was Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team (LRT) with an age adjusted time of 51-26 and Matt Hill (Zurbaran Racing) was third (51-35).

For Dorling it was his first VTTA national title after narrowly missing out on several other occasions.

“It was very grim,” said Dorling. “I’m obviously pleased to win after last week missing out on my age group at the National 10 by three seconds.

“Due to the rain I couldn’t see anything and had to sit up at the turn to see all the way around. I saved a bit of effort for the way back.

“It’s my first national title after a couple of seconds and thirds so I’m really pleased. It’s salvaged a rubbish season for me as I had a crash and then Covid so haven’t posted any special times.”

The quickest group on age adjusted time was Merseyside with David James Williams, James Griffiths and Jarod Garrington all contributing.

Meanwhile, Legato Racing Team were the best VTTA Club team on age adjusted time, with Joseph Costello, Simon Horsley and Mark Hamer the counting riders.

David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team) was the fastest rider on scratch with his time of 53-07 over two minutes faster than team-mate James Griffiths (55-16), while Mark Hamer (Legato Racing Team (LRT) was third (55-25).

Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) was clearly the quickest road bike on scratch after stopping the clock in 56-14, some seven minutes faster than Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA) in 1-03-31.

Quickest open road bike on age adjusted time was Lucy Rogers (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) whose time of 1-05-40 was reduced to 57-31.

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

Results:

Age adjusted time:

1 Keith Dorling (Team Bottrill)          50.58

2 Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team (LRT)         51.26

3 Matt Hill (Zurbaran Racing)            51.35

=4 David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team)      52.28

=4 Simon Horsley (Legato Racing Team (LRT)        52.28

6 Mick Stevens (Melton Olympic CC)           52.45

7 James Griffiths (Velotik Racing Team)       53.51

8 Mark Hamer (Legato Racing Team (LRT)  54.00

9 Jarod Garrington (Velotik Racing Team)     55.00

10 Matthew Uttley (Team Bottrill)     55.10

Women:

1 Linda Dewhurst (Ride Revolution Coaching)         51.01

2 Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill)     53.54

3 Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC)          1:05.18

Group on age adjusted time: Merseyside (David James Williams, James Griffiths, Jarod Garrington)

VTTA Club team on age adjusted time: Legato Racing Team (Joseph Costello, Simon Horsley, Mark Hamer)

Scratch:

1 David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team)        53.07

2 James Griffiths (Velotik Racing Team)       55.16

3 Mark Hamer (Legato Racing Team (LRT)  55.25

4 Simon Romei (Paramount CRT)     56.14

5 Matthew Uttley (Team Bottrill)       56.35

6 Simon Horsley (Legato Racing Team (LRT)          56.35

Women:

1 Linda Dewhurst (Ride Revolution Coaching)         1:03.54

2 Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill)     1:10.33

3 Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC)          1:13.27

Road bikes:

1 Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)         56.14

2 Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA)         1:03.31

3 Lucy Rogers (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)         1:05.40

4 Ian Townsend (Paramount CRT)     1:10.41

5 Ashley Kirkham (Wrekinsport CC) 1:21.43

Road bike age adjusted time: Lucy Rogers (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)            57.31