Russ Richardson triumphed at the Darlington Cycling Club 10-mile time trial on Sunday morning with Caroline Ratcliff topping the standings as fastest female in Yorkshire.

Riding for Zurbaran Racing, Richardson posted an unmatched 21-45, with his nearest challenger being Ellis Murray of the promoting club in 21-53, narrowly earning the runners-up spot ahead of Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers) just a second back in 21-54.

This result sees Richardson pick up a second win of a season that has taken in a mammoth 28 races across the calendar year, with his previous success coming at the Teesdale CRC 24.4-mile time trial on July 14 while also posting two fourth-placed

“The weather played ball this morning,” said Richardson. “It was quite a tough headwind on the return leg.

“I was hoping to win on standard being a veterans event but I'll take the overall win. Adam Duggleby and Josh Charlton were both non-starters, so I took full advantage! It’s great to win an event at 67 years old! It was a very well run event by the Darlington squad.”

In the women’s event, a strong field of riders saw Ratcliff emerge victorious for Ferryhill Wheelers in 26-13, finishing 35 seconds quicker than Team VC’s Sarah Foulds who was second, while a time of 27-37 helped Sue McFarlane (Army Cycling) to third spot.

“I was pleased with my ride and pleasantly surprised to be first female,” said Ratcliff. “I've ridden this course twice before and today's time was a PB for me on this course.

“It's a testing course but good road surface. I knew it was going to be faster going out to the turn with a tail wind but it wasn't as hard as I thought it might be coming back, apart from the pull up over the bridge which was hard towards the end of the race.”

Elsewhere, quickest female road bike went to Deborah Jeffries (Manilla Cycling) in 30-51, while Carter, alongside his overall top three placing, was top of the road bike group in the open category in a time of 21-54.

This event was run on the T104/1R which starts on the A1 service road just north of Leeming Bar and heads north to the roundabout at the A1 Catterick junction and then returns to a finish just north of the start point.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Russ Richardson (Zurbaran Racing)           21.45

2. Ellis Murray (Darlington Cycling Club)    21.53

3. Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers Cycling Club)    21.54

4. Jacob Leigh (trainSharp)     22.09

5. Shaun Robinson (Lindsey Roads Cycling Club)    22.21

6. Robin Gillespie (Beacon Wheelers)            22.48

7. Robert Noble (Team Judge Tyrekey)          22.56

8. Michael Vaiksaar (Valley Striders Cycling Club)   23.05

9. James Meadows (Cleveland Wheelers Cycling Club)       23.44

10. Steven Clarkson (Harrogate Nova Cycling Club)            23.45

Women:

1. Caroline Ratcliff (Ferryhill Wheelers)        26.13

2. Sarah Foulds (Team VC)    26.48

3. Sue McFarlane (Army Cycling)     27.37

4. Deborah Jeffries (Manilla Cycling)            30.51