Sarah Matthews (...a3crg) rounded off her campaign with a fourth open victory of the season in the women’s category at the VTTA London & Home Counties 25 (Rocco Memorial), while Shaun Jarvis (St Neots CC) was the quickest in the open event.

Matthews, aged 64, posted a winning time of 59-36 which was also the best time overall on age adjusted time to win the prestigious Rocco Trophy for the second time.

Starting outside High Wycombe the H25/2 saw competitors saw competitors head on an out and back course on the A404 to Maidenhead then across on the A4 to the turn near Twyford.

Matthews also won the Rocco Trophy in 2018 and was in fine form again on this occasion, finishing over five minutes of scratch quicker than Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running Club) in second (1-04-53), while Teresa Goddard (Kingston Wheelers CC) was third (1-13-35).

“Looking at the start sheet and absence of open riders I struggle to beat on age adjusted time (like Liam Maybank who has had a fabulous season) meant I was in with a chance,” said Matthews.

“It wasn’t as cold as last week’s race which was a relief because of the ‘ski slope’ at the start. The course is a mix of dual carriageway and A road with variable surface.

“After the first six miles on the dual carriageway A404 I found the next 13 or so miles on the A4 a real struggle.

“I just couldn’t get the speed I wanted or the power out of my legs. When I rejoined the A404 with five miles to go my average speed was well below what I needed.

“Not being one for giving up I dug in hard and my legs responded reasonably well.

“I was 40 to 50 seconds off my plan, but it was the last race of the season and my legs were saying ‘enough’.

“As an older female competitor I don’t get to win many trophies. Today was particularly special as I’ll have my name on it twice, alongside riders I regard as cycling legends.

“The VTTA race was a great opportunity for women like me to compete on a level playing field.”

Taking his first open victory of the season on scratch St Neots CC rider Jarvis, aged 27, posted a winning time of 51-48.

Veteran rider Karl Norris (360VRT) finished second overall on scratch in 52-35, while Lee Watson (Army Cycling) finished third (53-08).

The quickest female road bike competitor was Teresa Goddard (Kingston Wheelers CC) in 1-13-35 and Hugh Seaborn (Kingston Wheelers CC) was the best open road bike category rider (1-14-41).

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

Results
1 Shaun Jarvis (St Neots CC)     51.48
2 Karl Norris (360VRT)  52.35
3 Lee Watson (Army Cycling)    53.08
4 Marek Siwicki (Addiscombe CC)         53.30
5 Neal Beauchamp (Kingston Wheelers CC)     54.08
6 David Glossy (Elysium Kalas Race Team)        54.12
7 Matthew Reader (Verulam CC)            54.29
8 Anthony Jones (G.S. Henley) 54.41
9 James Wooldridge (Team Milton Keynes)        56.00
10 Richard Jones (Amersham Road Cycling Club)          56.27

Road bike: Hugh Seaborn (Kingston Wheelers CC)        1:14.41

Women
1 Sarah Matthews (...a3crg)      59.36
2 Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running Club)          1:04.53
3 Teresa Goddard (Kingston Wheelers CC)         1:13.35

Road bike: Teresa Goddard (Kingston Wheelers CC)     1:13.35