Xavier Disley and Jessica Rhodes-Jones ensured AeroCoach triumphed in both the open category and female category respectively at the Wyre Forest CRC Mick Gray Memorial 10-mile time trial on Sunday morning,

With the female riders off first, Rhodes-Jones won in a time of 22-05 which was actually fifth fastest overall, while second was Kara Tranter from the host club Wyre Forest CRC in 26-21.

Third place and taking first female on road bike was Iggy Campbell in 30:15 representing Born to Bike who can normally be found tearing up the planks of Derby velodrome but is using time trialling for some effective training this season.

Top spot in a competitive open category was clinched by Disley in 21-07, while the remaining two spots on the podium were separated by only three seconds, with second place going to Andrew Daniel from Worcester St Johns CC in 21-44 edging out Stuart Day from Team Echelon in 21-47.

On his win, Disley said: “It was interesting conditions, nice and warm on the ride over but the wind needs to be coming from the south to be super quick on the K46/10, it was just a light crosswind today so you really had to work hard the entire time!

“The main feature of the course is a one-minute hill up back past the start and then a fun descent, so I went as hard as I could up the hill and clung on for the final mile.

“It was a very well-run event and nice to see local faces too - it was Sue Kelly’s last event as timekeeper after 29 years of CTT timekeeping so I am glad I was there for that!

“Next stop for me is Gran Fondo TT finals in Denmark next month, then I’m aiming for the Paracycling World Cup time trials at the very beginning of 2025.

“I had a spinal injury in 2022 and this is my first open win post-accident which was nice to get under the belt.”

And fastest female Jessica Rhodes-Jones said: “It was the first time trial of the year for me that was warm, dry and had low wind - a very nice change after a few wet open and club time trials so far this year!

“It was excellently organised as always by Wyre Forest CRC, and lovely to be at timekeeper Sue Kelly’s last event, after 29 years of timekeeping!”

The female veteran on standard prize was won by Lezley Moran from Redditch RPCC who improved her time from last week's outing by 3 mins, finishing in 32-25, while the open veteran on Standard prize also went to Day.

The quickest rider on a road bike was Nick Giles from Pocomotion Road Club in a time of 23-26.

This time trial commemorates long-standing Wyre Forest CRC member Mick Gray, who passed away a couple of years ago, and was always willing to give up his time to help organise events and pass on his wealth of knowledge to younger riders as a true clubman passionate about cycling and his home club.

Riders enjoyed fine and sunny condition throughout the course, while the event was also notable with Sue Kelly timing her last TT after 29 years in the sport as a dedicated timekeeper for clubs across the region.

This event, run on course K46/10, is an out-and-back circuit that 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. Xavier Disley (AeroCoach)            21.07

2. Andrew Daniel (Worcester St Johns CC)   21.44

3. Stuart Day (Team Echelon) 21.47

Women:

1. Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach)            22.05

2. Kara Tranter (Wyre Forest CRC)   26.21

3. Iggy Campbell (Born to Bike)        30.15