Joe Cosgrove earned a second successive win with victory in the Kent Valley Road Club Edwin Howson Memorial 25-mile time trial in Cumbria on Sunday as he admitted he enjoyed ‘a final hit out’ ahead of the National Junior TT Championships in a week’s time, while Karen Bailey won the women’s event.

Riding for Team Bottrill, Cosgrove has enjoyed plenty of success so far this campaign and came into this event following a win at Barrow Central Wheelers 10-mile time trial on June 19, having also recorded three runners-up spots and a third place from his six rides this season.

Riding the L2524 course at Levens for the first time, Cosgrove recorded 49-38 and was the only rider to break the 50-minute mark and take the victory, with Sebastian Grindley (North Cheshire Clarion) earning the runners-up spot in 50-20 ahead of Pendle Forest Cycle Club’s Richard Bideau who was 14 seconds back in 50-34.

On his win, Cosgrove said: “I really enjoyed racing today, it was nice to do the Levens 25 course for the first time after riding the 10 course quite a few times.

“Conditions were pretty good and I was happy with how my legs were after a busy period of training and exams.

“It was nice to get a final hit out ahead of the Nationals next week.”

In the women’s event, Bailey (East Lancashire Road Club) emerged victorious from a tight contest, setting 1:03-18 to finish narrowly ahead of the 1:03-22 from Fiona Davidson of Dundee Wheelers Cycling Club.

In the road bike category, Kamil Waligora posted 56-16 to top the standings for 360cycling, with Alex Thomas, riding for the promoting club, second in a time of 1:00-06.                                         

This event, held on the L2524 course, starts just west of Sedgwick and heads southwest on the A6 past Levens until reaching Lindale, where riders turn and follow the route back to the start and past it to the A590 Brettargh Holt roundabout and then repeat the circuit before turning back to finish just south of Levens.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Joe Cosgrove (Team Bottrill)          49.38

2. Sebastian Grindley (North Cheshire Clarion)         50.20

3. Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest Cycle Club)           50.34

4. Philip Elliott (Liverpool Century Road Club)        51.35

5. George Elliott (Liverpool Century Road Club)      51.41

6. Matt Morris (Wigan Wheelers Cycling Club)        51.52

7. Joe Beech (Preston Wheelers)         52.48

8. Mark Parsons (Team ASL-Bolton) 52.58

9. Paul Braithwaite (Pendle Forest Cycling Club)     53.06

10. Jason Bateman (Pendle Forest Cycling Club)      53.10

Female:

1. Karen Bailey (East Lancashire Road Club)            1:03.18

2. Fiona Davidson (Dundee Wheelers Cycling Club)            1:03.22