Jake Sargent lived up to his billing as pre-race Spindata favourite with success at the Cardiff 100 Miles RCC 50-mile time trial on Saturday morning, while Gretchen Zoeller triumphed in the women’s event.

Riding for Team Bottrill, Sargent clocked 1:38-29 to see off the challenge of runner-up Matthew Cox (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race team) who set 1:41-58, while a time of 1:42-44 earned his clubmate Christopher Gibbard the final spot on the podium.

Fourth spot and just missing out on a podium place was 16-year-old talent Dylan Sage (Evolution Racing Academy) with 1:43-15, slashing a big margin off the old junior course record in his first even 50-mile time trial.

On his victory, Sargent said: “It was really tough conditions out there on my first properly warm race of the year.

“The heat coming off the concrete on the dual carriageway caught me out and I properly suffered, I'd used most of my water in the first lap and recorded my highest ever 90min heart rate!

“Despite this I was able to push through and just about hold on until the finish! I’m very pleased to break the nine-year-old course record and get a PB by over a minute which puts me in good standing for the short BBAR!”

This victory means Sargent has now registered seven wins from eight completed races so far in the 2024 season, starting with success on February 18 at the Severn RC 12.5-mile time trial.

This also includes wins at the University of Bristol Cycling Club 10-mile time trial, Bristol South Cycling Club 12.2-mile time trial, Hereford & District Wheelers CC 25-mile time trial, Farnborough & Camberley CC 10mile time trial and the Gloucester City Cycling Club 25-mile time trial on April 28 – with his only runners-up finish at the Gillingham & District Wheelers 18.4-mile time trial on March 16.

Quickest road bike went to Simon Butteriss of Ely & Disrict CC in 1:54-07 for 12th place overall.

In the women’s event, Zoeller (Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles) set 2:08-11 with Emma Bexson (Stratford Cycling Club) taking second in 2:08-30, while Poole Wheelers’ Michelle Lindsey claimed third place in 2:13-20.

This 50-mile event, run on the R50/1B course, is an out-and-back circuit that starts on the A40 just south of Abergavenny and heads along the A40 curving south-eastwards towards Monmouth, then following to Raglan roundabout and turning to follow the route back westbound back past the start, then completing another out-and-back to finish near 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. Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill)           1:38.29

2. Matthew Cox (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)          1:41.58

3. Christopher Gibbard (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)           1:42.44

4. Dylan Sage (Evolution Racing Academy)  1:43.15

5. Richard Llewellyn (Imperial Racing Team)           1:43.39

6. David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team)       1:44.15

7. Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic)         1:44.26

8. Karl Norris (360VRT) 1:47.03

9. Tim McEvoy (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)           1:47.23

10. Jeremy Addis (Velo Club St Raphael)      1:50.05

Female:

1. Gretchen Zoeller (Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles)        2:08.11

2. Emma Bexson (Stratford Cycling Club)    2:08.30

3. Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers)            2:13.20

4. Lucia Borradaile (CC Weymouth)  2:15.57