David Mead earned his first win of the season at the A5 Rangers CC Jane Café Memorial hilly 17-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon, with Lauren Creamer finishing as fastest female.

Riding for Team Enable MI Racing, Mead followed up his third place at the Northampton and District Cycling Association 9.8-mile time trial on April 20 with success here as he set an unmatched 39-45.

Royal Leamington Spa CC’s Ryan Witchell did enough for second place in 40-01, while a time of 41-57 helped Jack Patmore (George Fox Cycling Solutions) to the final spot on the podium.

On his win, Mead said: “Rain held off for the race so that was a bonus as the warm-up was raining.

“There was mostly a cross wind with little in the way of a headwind.

“This was quite a technical course with a mix of fast A road and very grippy back lanes where the road surface was poor in places. My pacing was pretty good but difficult due to the nature of the course with all the hills.”

In the women’s event, Creamer (Velo Fixers) finished fastest in 45-12, which would also place her fifth overall.

Neil White (45-31) and Reed Partridge (50-13) helped Ambion RT to the team prize.

“It was my first time racing that course, and after reconning it, I could tell the course wasn't going to be straightforward,” said Creamer. “Although I had a few aims, a lot of them went out of the window in order to avoid the potholes!

“However I still kept to power and time aims, and either way it was an enjoyable race that was well marshalled and organised, plus it helped me work towards future goals.

“Hopefully, I'll get the chance to return next year.”

This event, run on the NC3 course, is a looped circuit that starts north of Towcester, heading southeast to turn northeast at Littleworth, then northbound onto the A6 past Upper Stowe and through Weedon Bec and onto the A45, turning southbound to complete the final leg, passing Everdon and Farthingstone then Litchborough to finish just by the start line.

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

Results:

Open:

1. David Mead (Team Enable M.I)            39.45

2. Ryan Witchell (Royal Leamington Spa CC)    40.01

3. Jack Patmore (George Fox Cycling Solutions)             41.57

4. James Richardson (North Bucks RC)   43.55

5. Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers)              45.12

6. Neil White (Ambion RT)           45.31

7. Colin Parkinson (South Western Road Club)               

8. Reed Partridge (Ambion RC) 50.13

9. Pete Trotman (A5 Rangers CC)            51.07

10. Mark Malin (Ambion RC)      52.37

11. Richard Moule (Bossard Wheelers)              53.02

Female: Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers)              45.12