Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) was quickest woman at the Sunderland Clarion 25 and won the Northumberland & Durham CA 25-Mile Championship, while Hamish Armitt (Barrow Central Wheelers) was quickest in the open category.

Rea, aged 36, took her second victory from as many open events this season in a time of one hour, one minute and 48 seconds.

The M254 saw competitors start outside Ponteland before competing out and back along the A656 to Kirkwhelpington before returning.

Weather conditions were described as tough going out to the turn at the 12.5-mile mark, but fast on the return.

The event doubled up as the Northumberland & Durham Cycling Association (N&DCA) 25-Mile Championship and also a counter for the VTTA (North Group).

Rea also won the Blaydon CC event over 12 miles last month and lived up to her favourite billing to take a clear victory.

Veteran Adele McAleer (Team VC) finished runner-up on her last two outings and finished second again on this occasion in 1-04-02.

Rounding out the women’s podium positions was fellow veteran Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) who finished a further 13 seconds back (1-04-15) and was the best veteran woman on age adjusted time.
Junior rider Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC) finished fourth place overall completing the course in 1-07-09.

“I’m super happy to get my name back on the regional 25 championships trophy,” said Rea.

“The M254 is one of my favourite time trial courses in Northumberland, rolling out and super-fast back.

“Today we did have to battle with a very strong wind which made it even tougher going out.

“I was a way off my best time on there but enjoying getting back into some local racing.

“Thank you to Sunderland Clarion and the marshals for getting up at the crack of dawn!”

Armitt continued his winning form in the open category taking his second victory from as many events this season.

The 21-year-post posted a winning time of 51-45 which was eight seconds quicker than his nearest competitor.

However, it was Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles) who won the Northumberland & Durham Cycling Association (N&DCA) 25-mile championship honours finishing second overall in 51-53.

Completing the open podium positions was John Routledge (GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline) who stopped the clock in 53-39.

Philip Kennell (GS Metro) was the best veteran on age adjusted time with a scratch time of 54-28.

“It was a good time trial, there was a tough wind on the way out and it was fast on the way back,” said Armitt.

“It’s the first 25-mile time trial I’ve done so I just tried to evenly pace it which I was able to do. It was a great event.”

Armitt was taking part in just his second open time trial after also winning the VC Glasgow South, after making the transition from running.

“It’s been good, there is a lot to learn but I’m enjoying it,” said Armitt. “Time trailing is similar to running, there are a lot more variables you can control and less external factors than road racing.”

In the road bike category Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club) picked up his first open category victory of the season in 58-24.

Simon Crisp (Gosforth RC) finished second in 1-00-07, while Lee Ridden (Reifen Racing) rounded off the open road bike podium positions (1-01-29).

The women’s road bike category was won by Celia Michie (Tyneside Vagabonds CC) in 1-09-36, ahead of Caroline Cunningham (North Tyneside Riders CC) in second (1-11-58) and Susanne Stephenson (Derwentside CC) completed the podium positions (1-21-59).

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

Results:

Open:

1 Hamish Armitt (Barrow Central Wheelers) 51.45

2 Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles)            51.53

3 John Routledge (GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline) 53.39

4 Daniel Kane (Muckle Cycle Club)  54.21

5 Joshua Hodgson (GS Metro)            54.25

6 Philip Kennell (GS Metro)   54.28

7 Euan Adam (Durham City Velo)      54.45

8 Kris Whitelaw (Vector Racing)       54.50

9 Julian MacBride (Team Kirkley Cycles)     55.34

10 Michael Charlton (GS Metro)        56.14

Women:

1Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles)  1:01.48

2 Adele McAleer (Team VC) 1:04.02

3 Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC)       1:04.15

4 Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC)          1:07:09

5 Celia Michie (Tyneside Vagabonds CC)     1:09.36

6 Nicki Murphy (Wearside Triathlon) 1:09.36

7 Caroline Cunningham (North Tyneside Riders CC)           1:11.58

8 Susanne Stephenson (Derwentside CC)      1:21.59

Junior: Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC) 1:07:09

Road bikes:

1 Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club)  58.24

2 Simon Crisp (Gosforth RC) 1:00.07

3 Lee Ridden (Reifen Racing)            1:01.29

4 Oliver Walker-Hayes (Tyneside Vagabonds CC)    1:01.41

5 Brian Johnson (Reifen Racing)        1:03.17

6 Kenny McLellan (Reifen Racing)   1:03.19

7 Ian Gallon (North Tyneside Riders CC)      1:04.06

8 Chris Cousin (Derwentside CC)      1:04.08

9 Christian Roberts (Allen Valley Velo)         1:04.58

10 James MacLean (Barnesbury CC) 1:07.59

Women:

1 Celia Michie (Tyneside Vagabonds CC)     1:09.36

2 Caroline Cunningham (North Tyneside Riders CC)           1:11.58

3 Susanne Stephenson (Derwentside CC)      1:21.59