On a rare outing over 50 miles, John Routledge (GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline) set a personal best and took victory by 21 seconds in the North Tyneside Riders 50, while Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) was a convincing winner of the women’s event.

Meanwhile, in-form Alexander Storey (GS Metro) added another win to his collection in the road bike category.

The M50 saw competitors start near Cramlington before heading out and back along the A1068 to Amble.

After climbing back up to Cramlington approaching the 40-mile mark competitors headed back down to Bedlington and then climbing back towards the finish.

Routledge, from Morpeth, was tipped by Spindata to take the victory after winning the Team VC 13-mile event earlier this month.

The 42-year-old previously had a 50-mile personal best of 1-50-07 and bettered that time by over two minutes on this occasion.

Fellow veteran Kris Whitelaw (Vector Racing) led the battle behind finishing second in 1-48-14, while Philip Kennell (GS Metro) placed third (1-49-15).

“It was good conditions and not as hot as I thought it might be,” said Routledge.

“It’s quite a technical course with 26 roundabouts which take some navigating, but it’s quite flat and fast.

“I paced it quite well and hit the targets that I aimed for. I haven’t done that course before and haven’t done a 50 for two or three years, so I wasn’t sure how I’d go.

“There’s no more 50-mile events in the North East this season, but a 100 in September.”

In the women’s event, pre-race favourite Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) took a clear victory in a time of 2-04-10.

Rea also took victory in her two other open outings this season and made it three from three on this occasion.

A close battle for second saw Claire Cook (South Shields Velo Cycling Club) stop the clock in 2-09-07 which was 35 seconds faster than Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) (2-09-42).

In the road bike category Storey took his fifth category victory of the season after recording a time of 1-53-29.

Second in the category was Simon Crisp (Gosforth RC) in 1-57-50, while Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club) placed third (1-58-46).

The only woman in the road bike category was Sarah Wann (EMC Cycling) who covered the course in a time of 2-19-01.

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

Results:

Open:
1 John Routledge (GTR - Return To Life p/b Streamline)      1:47.53
2 Kris Whitelaw (Vector Racing)       1:48.14
3 Philip Kennell (GS Metro)   1:49.15
4 Christopher Isats (Berwick Wheelers Cycling Club)          1:49.30
5 Stephen Boxall (Houghton CC)      1:51.10
6 Alexander Storey (GS Metro)          1:53.29
7 Darren Robson  (Muckle Cycle Club)         1:53.48
8 Benjamin Amaira (GS Metro)          1:54.17
=9 Adam Lunn (Team VC)     1:56.41
=9 Nicholas Stevenson  (Wearside Triathlon)             1:56.41

Women:
1 Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) 2:04.10
2 Claire Cook (South Shields Velo Cycling Club)     2:09.07
3 Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC)           2:09.42
4 Adele McAleer (Team VC) 2:10.59
5 Sue McFarlane (Army Cycling)      2:17.25
6 Sarah Wann (EMC Cycling)            2:19.01

Road bikes:
1 Alexander Storey (GS Metro)          1:53.29
2 Simon Crisp (Gosforth RC) 1:57.50
3 Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club)  1:58.46
4 Lee Ridden (Reifen Racing)            2:04.37
5 Brian Johnson (Reifen Racing)        2:05.45
6 Kenny McLellan (Reifen Racing)   2:08.42
7 David Lavery (North Tyneside Riders CC) 2:20.59

Women: Sarah Wann (EMC Cycling) 2:19.01