James Jenkins (Hart Performance Coaching) took victory by over three minutes in the Hainault RC hilly event over 50 kilometres.

The 25-year-old opted for a road bike on the wet Essex course and posted a winning time of one hour, five minutes and 40 seconds.

Hainault Road Club held their 68th open hilly which compromised of unclassified roads and a section of the A113.

The roads were very wet with many large puddles developing throughout the event but no substantial wind.

The Hart Performance Coaching rider started as scratch man having won all of his four completed open events last season.

Jenkins opened his season in impressive form going 20 seconds quicker than his time two years ago, when he won the same event.

Fellow road bike competitor and veteran Colin Ward (Primo RT) won two open events last season but had to settle for runner-up on this occasion in 1-09-22.

Paul Turton (Team Vision Racing Silverhook) was the fastest time trial bike rider but had to settle for third place overall in 1-14-21.

Edward Renwick (Oxford City RC) and Adrian Tovey (Maldon & District CC) were second and third respectively in the time trial bike category.

“It's a race that I've done a few times and won back in 2022 so was a nice early season target for me,” said Jenkins.

“I have recently moved to Epping so live very close to the course. I've ridden it plenty of times during the winter which definitely helped with the execution.

“I'm targeting the road bike TT champs at the end of April so raced on a road bike today and I’m really happy to go as fast as I did.

“Heading off as one of the last riders helped as the second half of the race the rain had finally passed which significantly helped my visibility and some marginally drier roads.

“All in all I'm just really happy to start the season in such a positive way after quite a difficult winter plagued with many illnesses.”

The only woman competitor was Claire Lee (Shaftesbury CC) who completed the course in a time of 1-45-58.

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

Results:

Open:

1. James Jenkins          Hart Performance Coaching   1:05.40

2. Colin Ward  Primo RT        1:09.22

3. Paul Turton  Team Vision Racing Silverhook         1:14.21

4. Edward Renwick    Oxford City RC          1:17.25         

5. Adrian Tovey          Maldon & District CC 1:17.37

6. Vincent Christian    East London Velo        1:18.03

Road Bikes:

1. James Jenkins          Hart Performance Coaching   1:05.40

2. Colin Ward  Primo RT        1:09.22

3. Vincent Christian    East London Velo        1:18.03

Women: Claire Lee     Shaftesbury CC           1:45.58