Paceline RT’s Pat Wright proved quickest at the Southern Counties CU 25-mile event in Surrey, while Mark Aldred (Kingston Wheelers) was top road bike rider in the event near Oakwood Hill.

Wright, the 39-year-old from nearby Effingham, clocked 58-35 to take the win. He was the only rider to go under the hour mark with second fastest being Mark Aldred (Kingston Wheelers) setting a new road bike course record time of 1-00-15, while the final podium place was Gareth Williams (Twickenham CC) in 1-00-39.

The forecast rain set in about 7am, two hours before the start, and all riders got wet in the first 10-20 miles before it eased off. The course is rolling, with four miles of the A29, six miles of B roads and the rest being country lanes all with some standing water.

“Conditions were definitely challenging with heavy rain in the hours prior to and throughout the event,” said Wright. “The course is one of my favourites and on familiar road which is always advantageous, particularly in the wet.

“In spite of the rain, it was another great promotion by Robin Johnson and his team of hardy marshals etc. I was pleased with my ride and looking forward to racing some other local sporting TTs over the coming weeks.”

This was Wright’s first open time trial of the season, but he will be hoping to emulate his 2023 season where he secured four victories.

He is next due to be in action at the Southern Counties CU sporting 21-mile event next weekend as well as the Crawley Wheelers sporting 41.6-miler on Good Friday and the Brighton Mitre CC hilly 27.3 on Easter Monday.

Bec CC secured the team prize with sixth-fastest Tony Truepenny-Phillipson, Shaun Marlor and Shaun Kennedy being their counting riders for a total of 3-51-45.

This event was part of a weekend of events which included Saturday’s 10-mile event. At the shorter event the previous day Aldred was also the fastest road bike and third overall. He is next due to be in open action at the Kingston Wheelers sporting 14 in late April.

No women rode the event.

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

Results:

Open:

1         Pat Wright                    Paceline RT                        58:35

2         Mark Aldred                     Kingston Whls. CC 1:00:15  Road bike

3         Gareth Williams               Twickenham CC               1:00:39

4         Neil Kelsall                        Dorking CC                        1:03:22  Road bike

5         Peter Main                        34 Nomads CC                  1:06:05

6         Tony Truepenny-Phillipson      Bec CC                    1:07:03  Road bike

7         Duncan Murdoch Norwood Paragon CC     1:09:50

1st Team  -  BEC CC (Tony Truepenny-Phillipson, Shaun Marlor 1:17:16

                                        Shaun Kennedy  1:27:26)   3:51:45