Simon Wilson opened his 2024 season with victory at the Mersey Tri 10-mile time trial in Lancashire on Saturday afternoon, while Louise Scupham finished as fastest female.

Riding for HUUB WattShop, Wilson was the only rider to go under 19 minutes, clocking 18-49 with George Elliott (Liverpool Century RC) second in 19-59 and Ribble Cycles’ James Holloway took third place in 20-20.

Returning for his first event of 2024, Wilson enjoyed a fine 2023 campaign with wins at Kent Valley RC and Lancashire Road Club and will be looking to produce similar success over the course of the 2024 season.

“It was my first time trial of the season so I wasn’t quite sure where I was at form wise,” said Wilson afterwards. “I tried to control the effort in the first part which seemed to work - I’ve ridden the course a few times before and that’s the quickest I’ve gone which is always nice.”

In the women’s event, Scupham earned the win in 23-32 for Jadan Vive Le Velo, while Mersey Tri rider Samantha Howard finished as runner-up in 23-55, with a time of 24-24 helping Lucy Morley of Velotik Racing to the final spot on the podium.

On her win, Scupham said: “It was my first time on this course, and it was nice to find another great local race on a cool but calm day which made conditions reasonably fast.

“It was a really well organised and well marshalled event by Mersey Tri; it was very comforting to see the hoards of yellow jackets on each roundabout, so a big thanks to all the volunteers.

“I'm pleased to take the win as I'm easing myself slowly into the season, and loved seeing so many women on the startsheet.”

Fastest female on a road bike was Jenna Brassington (PDQ Cycle Coaching) in 26-24, while quickest male road biker was Mark Eldor for the promoting club in 27-04.

This event, run on the D10/1 course, is a pronged course starts just south of Bickerstaffe and heads southbound on the A570 down to Wheatsheaf traffic island then bears northbound until reaching the M58 interchange at Bickerstaffe, turning and retracing to Wheatsheaf island where riders continue southbound to Rainford, then turning and following back to finishing south 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. Simon Wilson (HUUB WattShop)  18.49

2. George Elliott (Liverpool Century RC)      19.59

3. James Holloway (Ribble Cycles)    20.20

4. Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)            20.30

5. Alex Dickinson (Manchester Triathlon Club)        21.05

6. Paul Lawton (ADDFORM Vive Le Velo)  21.09

7. Robin Hennessy (Velotik Racing team)      21.12

8. Louis Thomas-Messenger (Macclesfield Wheelers)           21.17

9. Joe Rendall (Congleton CC)           21.35

10. Adrian Hughes (Seamons CC)     21.50

Female:

1. Louise Scupham (Jadan Vive Le Velo)       23.32

2. Samantha Howard (Mersey Tri)     23.55

3. Lucy Morley (Velotik Racing Team)          24.24

4. Sally Cunliffe (Velotik Racing Team)        25.40

5. Hannah Fawcett (Liverpool Braveheart Bicycle Club)      26.01

6. Jenna Brassington (PDQ Cycle Coaching) Road Bike       26.24

7. Tarja Barnes (Mersey Tri)   28.46

8. Sharon Clifford (SheHair Racing Team)    29.32

9. Moyna O’Neill (Mersey Tri) Road Bike    30.36