Tim Wood opened his 2024 season with victory at the VC Sevale 10-mile time trial on Saturday in Worcestershire, with Alice Connor finishing as fastest female.

Riding for Team Echelon, Wood set an unbeaten 21-46 to seal his triumph ahead of Beacon Roads CC rider Ed Moss who finished in 22-26, narrowly ahead of Wood’s club-mate Martin Lines’ time of 22-29 to take third place.

This is Wood’s first victory since the Gloucester City Cycling Club 25-mile time trial on April 30 2023.

“The forecast rain held off but the wind was strong which made it tough,” said Wood. “The last mile to the finish after the descent was really hard.”

In the women’s event, London Academy Racing’s Connor was quickest in 24-56, seeing off Marianne Day (Swindon Wheelers) who took the runners-up spot in 26-36, while Susan Oldham (Cowley Road Condors CC) was the final name on the podium in 31-13.

In the two-up category Droitwich CC pair Rikky Hughes and David Lynes took the honours in 22-18, while David Bishop (Bromosgrove Olympique CC) and Paul Mansfield (Droitwich CC) did enough for second place in 25.08, and a time of 26-56 helped Philip Kelly (Brereton Wheelers) and Jude Mansfield (Birmingham Midland CC) to third.

The fastest age-adjusted time went to Jospeh Costello who was fourth overall in 20-39.

Riders faced bitterly cold and windy conditions out on the course but managed to avoid any heavy showers.

This event, run on course K46/10, starts just south of Severn Stoke and sees riders head southbound past Earl’s Croome and Upton-upon-Severn until they reach the M50 roundabout, where they turn and retrace the outbound route back past Earl’s Croome, through Severn Stoke and the start line to finish just north of Severn Stoke.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Tim Wood (Team Echelon) 21.46

2. Ed Moss (Beacon Roads CC)         22.26

3. Martin Lines (Team Echelon)         22.29

4. Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team LRT)          23.13

5. Daryl Stroud (Gloucester City Cycling Club)        25.00

6. Jack Tinsley (Pocomotion Road Club)       25.09

Female:

1. Alice Connor (London Academy Racing)  24.56

2. Marianne Day (Swindon Wheelers)            26.36

3. Susan Oldham (Cowley Road Condors CC)          31.13

Two-up:

1. Rikky Hughes and David Lynes (Droitwich Cycling Club)           22.18

2. David Bishop (Bromsgrove Olympique CC) and Paul Mansfield (Droitwich Cycling Club)       25.08

3. Philip Kelly (Brereton Wheelers) and Jude Mansfield (Birmingham Midland CC)          26.56