Oliver Peckover earned his first win of the 2024 season at the Poole Wheelers Gary Dighton Memorial 10-mile time trial on Sunday morning, with Lucy Gadd opening her campaign with victory in the women’s event in Dorset.

After finishing second at the Bournemouth Arrow 10 a fortnight earlier Peckover (trainSharp) went one better this time out, clocking 19-00 to see off rival Alastair Luxford (Wightlink Wight Mountain Race Team) who set 19-32, while a time of 19-38 helped Samuel Wadsley, riding for the promoting club, to seal third place six seconds back.

The open category proved particularly competitive, with just 21 seconds separating fifth and 11th place – including a tie for sixth between Poole Wheelers pair Henry Austin and Brett Wheeler in 20-38 and just a second splitting Jordan Giles (Richardsons-Trek RT) in seventh in 20-40 and the 20-41 set by Tim Flynn (Poole Wheelers).

On his win, Peckover said: “With it being a course I'd never ridden or seen before I wasn't sure what to expect.

“After being held up at the start waiting for cars to pass the junction, I soon found that the course profile was slightly misleading as the scale must be adjusted for the ski slope start, making other drags seems insignificant, but hitting them with a headwind on the way out was definitely a sting in the legs.

“After the finish I was speaking with second place rider Alastair Luxford, and he said the way back didn't seem to be as easy expected given the headwind on the way out.

“Luckily with the early start, the stronger winds late afternoon into the evening have been avoided, which are now blowing a gale!

“Overall, it was a very well run event, for which I thank the organiser and Poole Wheelers for hosting, with this being a quick course under an hour from home, I will certainly be back to get the sub-19 that was tantalisingly close today.”

Quickest road bike went to Lewis Keightley (Le Col Race Team) in 20-27, good enough for fifth overall, with Wheeler and Jones second and third respectively.

In the women’s event, Gadd (Storey Racing) posted 21-58 ahead of the 24-08 from Lauren Falconer (Poole Wheelers) while Falconer’s clubmate Michelle Lindley claimed third in 24-26.

“This was a very well run event, on one of the faster courses,” said Gadd. “We had a nasty headwind out which was tough but I knew once I hit the turn it would be a fast return.

“I paced it well and had plenty to give at the end up the little hills so I am pleased.”

Poole Wheelers hosted this 10-mile time trial on Sunday as a memorial event for Gary Dighton, the former national 100-mile champion, British Best All-Rounder and 1992 Olympian who passed away in January 2015 aged 46.

This event, run on the P415 course, starts on Old Wareham Road just south of Manning’s Heath and heads west past Stanley Green, continuing along the Fleetsbridge flyover to Holes Bay roundabout, passing over it until the Bakers Arms roundabout where riders turn and follow the A35 and A3049 back to finish near the Nuffield Industrial Estate.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Oliver Peckover (trainSharp)          19.00

2. Alastair Luxford (Wightlink Wight Mountain Race Team)            19.32

3. Samuel Wadsley (Poole Wheelers) 19.38

4. Tom Clements (Poole Wheelers)    19.50

5. Lewis Keightley (Le Col Race Team)        20.27

6. Henry Austin (Poole Wheelers)      20.38

6. Brett Wheelers (Poole Wheelers)    20.38

7. Jordan Giles (Richardsons-Trek RT)          20.40

8. Tim Flynn (Poole Wheelers)           20.41

9. Tom Nancarrow (Poole Wheelers)  20.44

10. Shawn Gray (Gillingham and District Wh)          20.48

Female:

1. Lucy Gadd (Storey Racing)            21.58

2. Lauren Falconer (Poole Wheelers) 24.08

3. Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers)            24.26

4. Rebecca Hughes (Poole Wheelers) 25.13

5. Kate O’Sullivan (Gillingham and District Wh)      26.11

6.Sian McPherson (Poole Wheelers)  26.13

7. Judy Reid (Icknield RC)     27.34

8. Sarah Inwood (Poole Wheelers)     28.11

9. Jane Barker (Wincanton Wheelers)            32.00