Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach) and Finlay Tarling (Team Bottrill) took advantage of good weather conditions to record course personal bests and victories at the Welsh 10-Mile Championships staged by Pontypool RCC.

Rhodes-Jones, aged 34, was a clear victor in the women’s event with her time of 20-50 almost two minutes clear of her nearest competitor.

Meanwhile, junior rider Tarling continues to impress and despite not being at his best flew along the out and back course to win the open event in 18-36.

The R10/17 dual carriageway course saw riders start outside Llangattock Nigh Usk before racing out and back to the roundabout at Raglan.

Conditions were warm with a light wind which meant a headwind out and tailwind back for the final five miles.

Rhodes-Jones came into the event as women’s favourite having already won the opening round of the CTT Classic Series, Wyre Forest CRC 10 and Ross-on-Wye Dist CC 25.

The AeroCoach rider was also 35 seconds quicker than her predicted time on Spindata.

Veteran rider Emma Wyatt (Hereford & Dist Whs CC) finished second overall in 22-47, while Iris Gray (Welwyn Wheelers) placed third (23-24).

“My ride was a two-second personal best which I was happy about,” said Rhodes-Jones.

“Next up for me is the National Closed Circuit Championships at Goodwood, then the UCI Gran Fondo final in Denmark where I’ll be trying to retain my masters stripes!”

In the open event Tarling, aged 17, took his fourth open victory of the season finishing five seconds clear of his nearest opponent.

Fellow junior Dylan Sage (Evolution Racing Academy) pushed him all the way finishing in 18-41, while Kieran Morris (Total Tri Training) finished third (19-20).

Quickest veteran on scratch was David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team) who had to settle for fourth overall a further two seconds back (19-22).

“It was not one of my best days legs wise,” said Tarling. “I have just come back from the National Track Championships, but I had enough for a personal best on that course.

“It was a weird wind condition as there was no definite tailwind or headwind and the wind changed direction.

“The wind was not that strong, it was pretty dead and quick. Most people were up on their Spindata predictions.

“It’s not down as one of the best courses but is also not down as a slow course.”

Rob Cowell (Ogmore Valley Wheelers) took his fourth open victory of the season in the road bike category.

Cowell also won the Ross-on-Wye & Dist CC and Port Talbot Whs CC 10-mile events and the Cardiff 100 Miles RCC event over 15 miles.

On this occasion his time of 21-03 was almost a minute quicker than Mathys Venter (Cardiff Ajax CC) in second (22-02), while Evan Powell (Pontypool Road Cycling Club) was a further second back 22-03.

Joanna Cliffe (Pontypool Road Cycling Club) was the only woman road bike competitor and stopped the clock in 25-22.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Open:

1 Finlay Tarling (Team Bottrill)          18.36

2 Dylan Sage (Evolution Racing Academy)   18.41

3 Kieran Morris (Total Tri Training)   19.20

4 David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team)        19.22

5 Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King)  19.26

6 Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath Cycling Club) 19.37

7 Mike Fox (UF Rowe & King)         19.38

8 David Griffiths (Oswestry Paragon CC)     19.42

9 B Xavier Disley (AeroCoach)         19.59

10 Anthony Jones  (VMCC powered by Y Beic)       20.00

Women:

1 Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach) 20.50

2 Emma Wyatt (Hereford & Dist Whs CC)    22.47

3 Iris Gray (Welwyn Wheelers)          23.24

4 Lisa Davies (VMCC powered by Y Beic)   23.29

5 Bethan Ouseley (Pembrokeshire Velo)        23.39

6 Emma Davies (Port Talbot Whs CC)          23.58

7 Joanna Cliffe (Pontypool Road Cycling Club)        25.22

8 Charlotte Mead (Monmouthshire Wheelers)           25.23

9 Rachel Green (Cheltenham & County Cycling Club)         28.23

10 Linda Dewhurst (RIDE REVOLUTION COACHING)   38.09

Road bikes:

1 Rob Cowell (Ogmore Valley Wheelers)      21.03

2 Mathys Venter (Cardiff Ajax CC)    22.02

3 Evan Powell (Pontypool Road Cycling Club)         22.03

4 Jack Kellam (Cardiff Ajax CC)       22.26

5 Ben Parker (Swindon Wheelers)      22.36

6 Gavin R Jones (Cardiff Ajax CC)    24.11

Woman: Joanna Cliffe (Pontypool Road Cycling Club)        25.22