Veteran rider Tony Chapman earned his second win of the season from 14 rides with victory at the Bristol South CC 50-mile time trial in Gloucestershire on Saturday morning, while the prize for fastest female went to Marianne Day.

Riding for Frome and District Wheelers, Chapman was the only rider to break the two-hour mark in 1:58-05 to top the standings, with runner-up Tom Burke-Nott, riding for the promoting club, clocking 2:04-47, while a time of 2:06-00 helped 360VRT rider Karl Norris to the final spot on the podium.

Norris was also quickest in the road bike category, with Sue Smith (Swindon Wheelers) taking the honours in the women’s road bike grouping in 2:38-40.

In the women’s time trial bike category, Day (Swindon Wheelers) led the field in 2:24-45, ahead of the 2:33-46 posted by Hannah Bizoumis (Bristol & District Triathletes BAD TRI) for second spot.

Chapman now has five wins from a remarkable 276 events over the course of his 15-year time trialling career, dating back to his first event at Gillingham and District 19-mile time trial on March 14, 2009, in which he secured a 13th-placed finish.

“It was one of those mornings when you open the curtains and want to go back to bed,” said Chapman. “The wind was howling and it was very wet.

“There was a lot of standing water on the course, so much so that it was 50/50 as to whether they would even run the event. By the time I started the rain eased off a bit for a while but the earlier starters weren't so fortunate, the rain and wind came back with a vengeance later on though so it made sure everyone get soaked and chilled through.

“My ride went surprisingly well considering I had to ride on feel as my power meter packed up in the first few miles. Also my last fifty mile event went very wrong so to get a solid ride in was good for the confidence, especially seeing that's the route (R50) I'm riding next Saturday.”

Early temperatures on the course hovered around single digits, with overnight rain and thunderstorms leaving plenty of standing water on the circuit but gradually improving condition ensured the race continued as planned.

Twenty riders - with half on road bikes - attempted the course through the Cotswolds and faced stiff winds and hail over the second hour as the weather turned.

This event, run on the U109/50 course, is a triangular circuit that starts just east of Didmarton Village and heads east along the A433 to the Hare & Hounds pub then towards the A46 junction, then left back onto A46 through Didmarton past the start, repeating the loop twice more to finish on the A46 on the fourth circuit.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers)      1:58.05

2. Tom Burke-Nott (Bristol South Cycling Club)      2:04.47

3. Karl Norris (360VRT) Road Bike  2:06.00

4. Daniel Kelly (Gloucester City CC) 2:06.17

5. Vincent Douglas (Gloucester City CC)      2:06.22

6. Jason Mould (Army Cycling)         2:08.29

7. Andrew Metherell (Velo Club Bristol) Road Bike 2:10.15

8. Arran Armstrong (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)     2:14.15

Women:

1. Marianne Day (Swindon Wheelers)            2:24.45

2. Hannah Bizoumis (Bristol & District Triathletes BAD TRI)         2:33.46

3. Sue Smith (Swindon Wheelers) Road Bike            2:38.40