Simon McNamara retained his title with victory in the open category at the Sussex Cycling Association 10-mile time trial on Saturday morning, with Cris Coxon claiming the top prize in the road bike category.

Riding for Sigma Sports Race Team, McNamara won the event in 21-18, just nice seconds outside his course record set last year in vastly different conditions due to the heavy downpour, to register a fifth win of the season.

The winner finished with a margin of 1-19 over runner-up Stuart Hourigan (VeloRefined Rule 5) with 22-37 while Addiscombe Cycling Club's Marek Siwicki sealed third place in 23-09.

On his win, McNamara said: “The conditions were pretty ropey this morning with consistent rain throughout, although to be honest it could have been worse and it wasn’t that cold and there was practically no wind.

“I wanted to pace the ride well and start off well to get into my rhythm to set the tone for the ride which I’ve been struggling with recently.

“Today it went well and I felt smooth and could ramp the effort and settle straight back to the pace. I’ve been riding some road and grit races so I think this helps with more sporting courses.

“I’m off to Spain next week to ride Badlands Gravel which is an 800km+ unsupported event - something completely different and new to me.”

Rising local star, Cris Coxon, Brighton Mitre CC, was fastest on a road bike with a time of 22-13 also leading his club to a team win. 

Olly Thomas, riding for Sussex Revolution VC, finished as second road bike, 55 seconds behind the eventual winner, and Nat Orpen-Palmer (Dulwich Paragon CC) was just another 17 seconds slower to take third place.

This year’s event saw constant rain and only 20 riders started out of 41 entries despite no wind and 15 degrees temperature.

This event used the G10/45 course which is a loop that starts just south of Ifold near Loxwood in Sussex.

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

Results:

Time trial bikes:

1. Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports Race Team)       21.18

2. Stuart Hourigan (VeloRefined Rule 5)       22.37

3. Marek Siwicki (Addiscombe Cycling Club)          22.37

4. Nat Orpen-Palmer (Dulwich Paragon Cycling Club)         23.35

5. Paul Thatcher (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)        24.25

6. Karl Robertson (Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club)          25.17

Road bikes:

1. Cris Coxon (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)            22.13

2. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)         23.08

3. Peter Main (34 Nomads Cycling Club)      24.11

4. Henry Byrne (Project 51)   26.49

5. Peter Madarasz (Team TMC)         28.08

6. Chris Parker (Hastings and St Leonards Cycling Club)     31.59

Women: None rode.