George Kimber (Embark Spirit BSS) and Chris Murray (Army Cycling) went quickest in the Saint Piran/Northover Vets Team 25 in Somerset on Sunday.

The event incorporated the Inter-Services Championship with Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) going quickest in the open event and Murray fastest in the women’s event.

The St Piran/Northover Vets Team Inter-Services Championship event over 10 miles planned for the previous day was cancelled due to a thunderstorm just prior to the planned 6pm.

Despite moving the start back to a 7pm start spray at the end of the U30/10 was a cause for concern, as was a storm at the turn.

However, the following day’s St Piran/Northover Vets Team, including Inter-Services Championship, over 25 miles went ahead.

The U30/25R saw riders compete out and back along the A303 between Podimore and South Petherton.

Kimber, aged 24, was competing in his first open time trial of the season and posted the quickest time of 49-17.

However, Kimber did not qualify for the Inter-Services Championship resulting in Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) taking the individual honours in 50-56.

A further 37 seconds back was Michael Barnes (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) who finished third overall in 51-33.

The award for quickest road bike in the men’s event went to Josh Clarke (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) in 57-44.

“I rode with more maturity than usual, setting off conservatively and enjoying the squeeze to the line,” said Kimber.

“This approach will hopefully leave with me good legs for the Ras Tailteann which starts on Wednesday. Thanks to all of the volunteers for putting on a great event.”

In the women’s event Murray was the only rider to beat the hour-mark as she clocked a winning time of 58-02 – three minutes clear of her nearest competitor.

Murray, aged 47, from Chippenham, also won the Charlotteville Cycling Club 25 on her last open outing last month and again took victory on this occasion.

 Army Cycling dominated the women’s podium positions with Sue MacFarlane finishing second in 1-01-10 and Libby Dankckert was third (1-03-13).

Meanwhile, the prize for quickest woman on a road bike went to Kat Robinson (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) in 1-14-43.

“The Inter-Services TT Champs is a big deal in the services,” said Murray.

“Once the mist cleared on Sunday morning, we knew we were on for a decent day for the 25.

“With a tailwind out and headwind back, on a fairly complicated course, it was a true testers course.

“I managed to pace my effort as intended, meaning I rode the final eight-mile headwind section strongly.

“Finishing with a short 58 also meant I knocked about six minutes off the old course record.

“As a team, we (The Army) won both the women’s and men’s competitions; dominating the female podium and our top six men all finished within 75 seconds of each other.

“After lending the RAF the male team honours for a year, it is nice to get them back.

“For an individual sport it is a real treat to race an event where it is all about the team.”

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

Results

Open

1 George Kimber (Embark Spirit BSS)          49.17

2 Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA)    50:56

3 Michael Barnes (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)     51.33

4 Leon Marshal (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) 51:50

5 Rob Willcocks (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)      51:51

6 Jeremy Redford (Army Cycling)     52.15

Road Bike: Josh Clarke (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) 57.44

Women

1 Chris Murray (Army Cycling)         58.02

2 Sue MacFarlane (Army Cycling)     1:01.10

3 Libby Dankckert (Army Cycling)   1:03.13

4 Harriet Haywood (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)  1:03.44

5 Gemma Waterjohns (Team Tor 2000)        1:04.05

6 Gemma Simister (Army Cycling)    1:05.14

Road Bike: Kat Robinson (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) 1:14.43

Inter-Services Championship

Men

1 Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA)    50:56

2 Michael Barnes (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)     51.33

3 Leon Marshal (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) 51:50

4 Rob Willcocks (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)      51:51

5 Jeremy Redford (Army Cycling)     52.15

6 Stefan Gloyn (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)         52.22

Road Bike: Josh Clarke (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA)            57.44

Women

1 Chris Murray (Army Cycling)         58.02

2 Sue MacFarlane (Army Cycling)     1:01.10

3 Libby Dankckert (Army Cycling)   1:03.13

4 Harriet Haywood (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)  1:03.44

5 Gemma Simister (Army Cycling) 1:05.14

6 Kat Robinson (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)        1:14.43

Road Bike: Kat Robinson (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)    1:14.43