Tom Clements earned a first win of the season at the Wessex Road Club 24-mile time trial, with Sien Van Der Plank finishing as fastest female in Dorset.

Riding for Poole Wheelers, Clements followed up his fourth-placed finish at Gillingham & District Wheelers 18.4-mile time trial on March 16 with success here, clocking 52-25 to earn a 20-second win from clubmate Samuel Wadsley who registered 52-45, while a time of 55-03 saw Kelvin Hatch take third place for Gillingham & District Wheelers.

This is Clements’ first win since finishing top of the standings at the Wessex Road Club South DC Championship 50-mile time trial on P417 last June, which means he now has two wins from 26 events.

On his victory, Clements said: “It was great to race on home roads with family and friends supporting on the roadside. It was a beautiful day and the organisers and volunteers did a fantastic job.

“It was my second race of the year and trying a slightly new position always creates a little trepidation.

“I am really happy with how the race went, my power and feelings were good from the start.

“A huge thanks to the organisers, especially the hard-working Harry Lodge and Paul Dytham.

“Next up is a well-earned trip to Majorca to remind myself of what sunshine is.”

Quickest road bike went to fellow Poole Wheelers’ Brett Wheeler in 55-16 for fourth overall, with Luke Walton (Elevate RT) second in 55-48 and a3crg rider Howard Bayley earning third spot just four seconds back in 55-52.

In the women’s event, Sien Van Der Plank’s time of 1:05-32 gave her the win with Naomi Shinkins (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) second in 1:06-34, and a time of 1:06-49 helped PDQ Coaching rider Louisa Cooper to the final podium spot.

This event, run on the P427 course, is a looped circuit that starts north of Wimborne Minster and heads northbound on the B3078 past Stambridge until reaching Loverly Farm where riders turn westbound past Gussage St Michael, heading southwest on the A354 past Pimpernel down to Blandford Forum, then heading southeast for the final leg to finish just outside of Wimborne Minster, southeast 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. Tom Clements (Poole Wheelers)    52.25

2. Samuel Wadsley (Poole Wheelers) 52.45

3. Kelvin Hatch (Gillingham & District Whs)            55.03

4. Brett Wheeler (Poole Wheelers) Road Bike           55.16

5. Luke Walton (Elevate RT) Road Bike        55.48

6. Howard Bayley (a3crg) Road Bike 55.52

7. Max Webber (Andover Wheelers) Road Bike        56.17

8. Matthew Buckley (VC St Raphael) Road Bike      56.57

9. Larry Wiltshire (Chichester City Riders) Road Bike         57.08

10. Tim Flynn (Poole Wheelers) Road Bike   57.10

Female:

1. Sien Van Der Plank (New Forest CC)        1:05.32

2. Naomi Shinkins (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers)             1:06.34

3. Louisa Cooper (PDQ Cycle Coaching)      1:06.49

4. Laura Daly (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)  1:08.07

5. Kirsty Mcseveney (a3crg)   1:11.15

6. Sian McPherson (Poole Wheelers) 1:12.42

7. Rachel Waite (Andover Wheelers)  1:14.12