Lewis Wake earned his second victory of the season in a narrow finish at the Barnesbury Cycling Club 21-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon, while Lucy Siddle finished as fastest female in Northumberland.

Riding for Team Kirkley Cycles, Wake clocked 45-54 to see off runner-up John Bowman (Muckle Cycle Club) by five seconds in 45-58, with John Routledge (GTR – Return to Life) third in 46-02, meaning the top three were separated by just nine seconds.

Wake has enjoyed a fine start to the season, having won his opening event at the Border City Wheelers 13.5-mile time trial on March 3.

“It was really good to win the North East’s opening event,” said Wake. “I’ve done this race a few times now but this is the first time I’ve won which I’m really pleased with.

“There was a really good turn out on the day with over 70 entries which is great to see. Big thank you to the organisers and marshals for the great event as always!”

In the women’s event, Siddle set 59-18 for Reifen Racing, while runner-up went to Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC) in 59-55, and a time of 1:00.30 helped Louise Burnie to third place.

Siddle said afterwards: “I hadn't realised I was first woman until this morning... I wasn’t expecting that! It’s one of my favourite time trials and a great season starter.

“It was super windy thanks to Storm Kathleen, and I benefited from being off early before the wind really picked up. It was a fast first half with a strong southerly wind, despite most of the climbing being on the way out. It was then a battle into a headwind on the way back.

“I don't do many time trials, just pick a few hilly ones to get a good hard workout. I'm concentrating on distance and hills at the moment ready for the Fred Whitton in May but I'll try and fit a few more in during the season, and hopefully some club mid week ones too.”

Siddle enjoyed success in her first time trial in 18 months, and now technically has two wins from two consecutive time trials after also finishing quickest in the female category on her previous outing at the Allen Valley Velo back in August 2022.

Riders faced challenging conditions on the course during a breezy afternoon, with organisers issuing a safety message regarding wheel choices in the wake of predicted gusts around 40mph.

This led to several withdrawals, while several riders switched from time trial bikes to road bikes.

This event was run on the M21 course, which starts at Belsay and heads north until turning left onto the B6343 and then right and northbound at Scots Gap to begin the looped section of the course, turning west at the B6342 junction and then southbound to complete the loop and on past Gambo, turning left to Scots Gap then retracing the route back to the finish 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. Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles)           45.53

2. John Bowman (Muckle Cycle Club)          45.58

3. John Routledge (GTR - Return to Life)      46.02

4. Kris Whitelaw (Vector Racing)      46.09

5. Adam Smith (Team Kirkley Cycles)           46.34

6. Terry Wilkinson (GTR – Return to Life)    46.49

7. Philip Kennell (GS Metro)  47.41

8. Alexander Storey (GS Metro) Road Bike   48.13

9. Darren Robson (Muckle Cycle Club)         49.35

10. Lee Cuthbertson (Muckle Cycle Club) Road Bike           50.00

Female:

1. Lucy Siddle (Reifen Racing)          59.18

2. Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC)         59.55

3. Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC)          1:00.30

4. Teri Bayliss (Reifen Racing)          1:01.31

5. Phoebe Skinner (Reifen Racing)    1:02.32

6. Vanessa Armstrong (Blaydon CC)  1:03.00