Road bikes were the machine of choice on the gruelling terrain of the Derwentside CC 40 as David Fellows (Solihull CC) and Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) won the open and women’s events respectively.

The North Pennine Mountain Time Trial saw competitors start and finish outside Allendale in Northumberland before completing a tough 40-mile loop.

Fellows, aged 31, from Birmingham, made the long trip north worthwhile by recording a winning time of one hour, 43 minutes and 59 seconds.

The Solihull CC rider also won the Matlock CC 25 and Banbury Star 21-mile events overall this season and took his fourth road bike category win on this occasion.

However, the course record held by Adam Wild of 1-40-34 stands for another year.

Veteran Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC) was also riding on a road bike and finished 45 seconds back in second (1-44-44).

Meanwhile, the only time trial rider in the top seven positions overall was third placed rider John Bowman (Muckle Cycle Club) who recorded a time of 1-46-08.

“This is one of my favourite courses,” said Fellows. “In the past I’ve done it on a time trial bike twice, but this time I opted for a road bike - which I’ve preferred riding on this year.

“It was harder on the road bike on the flatter sections heading south and the last eight miles into the finish line when the aerodynamic position helps you to keep the average speed up.

“But the comfort on the climbs and descents is where the road bike comes into its own.  I managed to get a decent time up the big three climbs compared to previous years and was able to grind it back down into Allendale to just about take the win.

“I was pleased with that as I wasn’t sure if I’d done enough as Rob (Carter) is going very well this year and we’ve been close on a couple of occasions.

“A big thanks to Derwentside CC and David Swainson as always - I love the spirit around time trailing in the north - especially the mountain time trials.”

All of the women’s competitors opted to compete on a road bike and Wilkinson was quickest in a time of two hours, 11 minutes and 43 seconds.

Veteran rider Wilkinson finished second in the North Tyneside Riders CC 10 last weekend and over the longer distance she went one better this time out.

A close battle for second saw veteran Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) stop the clock in 2-15-43 which was 13 seconds faster than Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC) who placed third (2-15-56).

“I was very pleased with my win today,” said Wilkinson. “It was quite windy going out and the climb from Nentheads never gets any easier.

“I haven't been doing any long rides and so it felt very tough towards the end.”

The event was made possible thanks to a band of marshals, some of whom had to stand in remote locations for several hours and excellent timekeepers who made the event run efficiently.

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

Results:

Open:

1 David Fellows (Solihull CC)           1:43.59

2 Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC)         1:44.44

3 John Bowman (Muckle Cycle Club)           1:46.08

4 Alexander Storey (GS Metro)          1:47.51

5 Nick Munro (Outlands)        1:48.46

6 Tom Hutchinson (Team Bottrill)      1:50.29

7 Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 1:52.06

8 David Hill (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.Uk)           1:52.49

9 Kris Whitelaw (Vector Racing)       1:52.56

10 Stephen Magrath (Blaydon CC)    1:54:05

Women

1 Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC)       2:11.43

2 Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC)           2:15.43

3 Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC)           2:15.56

4 Sarah Wann (EMC Cycling)            2:22.43

5 Celia Michie (Tyneside Vagabonds CC)     2:26.34

6 Becky Coleman (North Shields Polytechnic Club) 2:33.09

Road bikes

1 David Fellows (Solihull CC)           1:43.59

2 Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC)         1:44.44

3 Alexander Storey (GS Metro)          1:47.51

4 Nick Munro (Outlands)        1:48.46

5 Tom Hutchinson (Team Bottrill)      1:50.29

6 Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 1:52.06