Samuel Wadsley earned a first win of the season with success in the open category at the Poole Wheelers Cycling Club 25-mile time trial on Sunday morning, with Lauren Falconer claiming the top prize as fastest female.

Riding for Poole Wheelers, Wadsley led a dominant team performance from the promoting club, counting six of the top 10 riders in the open category and three of the top five women among their number to claim the team prize.

A time of 50-22 – outside his own course record of 48-53 - helped Wadsley to top spot ahead of clubmate Tom Clements in 50-59, while Brett Wheeler set 53-30 to ensure a Poole Wheelers whitewash.

Wadsley’s last win came at the a3crg 10-mile time trial on July 9 last year, with this season so far bringing one runners-up spot at the 24-mile Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers time trial.

On his victory, Wadsley said: “I am super happy to defend my South District title.

“Conditions were tough with a headwind up the drag towards Upton each lap and it never feels like you get much assistance on the return leg.

“I am pleased with my ride, albeit a little ambitious with my pacing strategy.

“The cherry on the cake was picking up the team award with the mighty Poole Wheelers.”

All eyes are now focused towards the National 50 which use some of the same roads raced today!

In the women’s event, Falconer clocked 1:02-56 to see off a challenge from New Forest CC’s Sien Van Der Plank, while clubmate Sian McPherson managed 1:07-16 for the final spot on the podium.

Van Der Plank did finish as fastest female on a road bike, while Wheeler was quickest road bike in the open category.

Afterwards, Falconer said: “I’m really happy with my performance today. This was only 13 seconds slower than my PB which I recorded in 2019 - then with the pandemic and everything I didn't race again till last year.

“I'm really pleased to have found my TT legs to be working, as I've only been back on the bike two weeks after running the London Marathon last month (in a respectable time of 04:04:52)!”

This event, run on the P413 course, just north of Organford and heads eastbound on the Upton bypass before turning at the A350 roundabout by Stanley Green and following the bypass back westbound, passing the start to turn at the A25 roundabout and repeating the out-and-back a further three times until, on the third return, turning left onto Wareham Road, looping the roundabout back to the junction, then finishing on Organford Lane.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Open:

1. Samuel Wadsley (Poole Wheelers) 50.22

2. Tom Clements (Poole Wheelers)    50.59

3. Brett Wheeler (Poole Wheelers)     53.30

4. Mark Valentine (Poole Wheelers)   54.44

5. Adrian Talley (Velo Club St Raphael)        55.21

6. Steven Pink (Poole Wheelers)         55.44

7. Graham Harman (Sotonia CC)       56.35

8. Gary Francis (Wincanton Wheelers)           57.20

9. Nathan Wilmington (Poole Wheelers)        57.25

10. James Horton (Wessex Road Club)          57.31

Female:

1. Lauren Falconer (Poole Wheelers) 1:02.56

2. Sien Van Der Plank (New Forest CC)        1:04.09

3. Sian McPherson (Poole Wheelers) 1:07.16

4. Emily Canty (St Austell Wheelers) 1:16.11

5. Mary Corbett (Sotonia CC) 1:17.11