Oliver Cadin and Chris Gibbard tied for first place in a close finish to the Cardiff Ajax CC 10-mile time trial in Newbridge on Saturday afternoon, while Josie Harcourt was fastest in the women’s event.

Setting off as the six-from-last rider, Cadin (Cardiff University RCC) came home in 20-44 to take the lead, only for FTP Fulfil The Potential Race Team’s Gibbard, the final rider off, to equal his time as both finished fastest on a time trial bike.

The final spot on the podium was taken by Cadin’s Cardiff University clubmate Theo Tadros in 21-13 as riders faced challenging conditions on the course, with rain hampering competitors at points.

Joint-winner Gibbard said: “Conditions were really challenging and I’d only put my TT bike back together the day before so I didn’t really know what to expect.

“Even though it was nine degrees and driving rain there were still lots of marshals on the course and it felt like a really safe event.

“Congratulations to Ollie and Theo it’s great to see some younger riders riding time trials.”

The prize for the fastest road bike went to UF King & Rowe rider Owen Burgess in 21-56, while the quickest team trial pair were Veloflow’s John Brown and Neil Lewis in 21-38.

In the women’s event, Harcourt (FTP Fulfil The Potential Race Team) clocked 23-57 to continue a fine start to the season, while Miranda Clements (Cambridge University Cycling Club) was runner-up in 24-13 and third was Cardiff Ajax rider Emma Hunter in 25-58.On her victory, Harcourt said: “I was really pleased with how the race went. The conditions were quite challenging, with the rain really starting to pelt it down towards the end of the race.

“I enjoyed the course, it was fast but still lumpy enough to keep it interesting. My first 10 miles under 24 minutes on the road bike so I’m chuffed!”

Harcourt now has her eyes on the National Road Bike Championships in six weeks, with high hopes of challenging for honours.

This event, run on the R10/16A course, starts on Newport Road just north of Abercarn on the A467 and heads southbound past Crosskeys roundabout before bearing west to Wattsvile then southeat down past Risca to turn at Pontymister and retrace the route back along the A467 to the finish line, just south of 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. Oliver Cadin (TT Bike) Cardiff University Road Cycling Club  20.44

=1. Christopher Gibbard (TT Bike) FTP Fulfil the Potential Road Team      20.44

3. Theo Tadros (TT Bike) Cardiff University Road Cycling Club     21.13

4. Owen Burgess (Road Bike) UF Rowe & King       21.56

5. Mathys Venter (Road Bike) Cardiff Ajax CC        22.16

6. Rob Cowell (Road Bike) 22.26

Two-up:

1. John Brown and Neil Lewis (TTT) Veloflow CC  21:38

2. Daniel Fox and Paul Hayward (TTT) UF Rowe & King   22.09

3. Daniel Hatch and Alex Ball (Veloflow CC)           22.39

Female:

1. Josie Harcourt (Road Bike) Fulfil the Potential Race Team          23.57

2. Miranda Clements (Road Bike) Cambridge University CC           24.13

3. Emma Hunter (Road Bike) Cardiff Ajax CC         25.58

4. Rosie May-Bennett (Road Bike) Tri Logic Cornwall        27.52

5. Cassia Copeland (Road Bike) (Cardiff Ajax CC)           28.07

6. Andrea Parish (Road Bike) (Velosistas TT Team)           28.59

Two-up: Helen Stevenson and Lianne Lusty (Cwmcarn Paragon Cycling Club)      28.06