Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) and Lucy Neatham (London Academy Racing) took the open and women’s victories respectively in the North Road CC Hardriders 25-mile time trial, while Freddie Checketts (LFGSS CC) was the quickest road bike competitor and finished second overall.

Brown, aged 40, recorded a winning time of one hour, two minutes and 19 seconds over the undulating 25-mile course to win the Thistle Trophy.

Taking place in Hertfordshire, the event saw riders start outside Brookmans Park before heading out past Northaw Great Wood Country Park to Newgate Street.

After an out and back leg the course continued to Little Berkhamsted, Epping Green, Brickendon and Horn’s Mill before heading back to the finish.

Brown finished sixth in the same event last year and improved his time by almost three minutes to clinch victory on this occasion.

The 6AM Cycling rider also won the Eastern Counties CA 25 last season and opened his account for 2024 in style finishing 1-23 clear of his nearest rival.

Brown was also the quickest veteran on standard with his time equating to -3.41.

Competing in an open road bike category event for the first time Freddie Checketts (LFGSS CC) finished second overall on the undulating course and won the category in 1-03-42.

Sam Harding (Rugby Velo) was second in the time trial bike category in 1-04-20, while under-23 rider Alfie Salmon (Hart Performance Coaching) was third (1-05-04).

Meanwhile, Thomas Godfrey (Bedfordshire Road RT) was the quickest junior rider recording a time of 1-25-03.      

In the women’s event Neatham was a clear winner on her time trial bike stopping the clock in 1-15-44.

The London Academy Racing rider also won the Peak RC road bike event last year and added another win to her collection.

Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running Club) was the only other woman competitor and finished in 1-29-41, also on a time trial bike.

After finishing third in the same event’s time trial category last year Checketts switched machines to win the road bike event this season by over three minutes.

David Ross (Elevate RT) was second in the road bike category in 1-07-00, while Martin Smith (6AM Cycling) was third (1-09-20).

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

* A gallery of images from this event is available here

Results:

Time trial:

1 Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) 1:02.19

2 Sam Harding (Rugby Velo) 1:04.20

3 Alfie Salmon (Hart Performance Coaching)           1:05.04

4 David Ross (Elevate RT)     1:07.00

5 John Jones (Verulam Really Moving)          1:09.19

6 James Conolly (Watford Velo Sport)           1:10.04

Women

1 Lucy Neatham (London Academy Racing) 1:15.44

2 Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running Club)   1:29:41

Fastest Veteran: Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) 1:02:19                                                                       

Veteran on Standard: Sam Brown (6AM Cycling)     -03:41                                                             

Fastest Junior: Thomas Godfrey (Bedfordshire Road RT)     1:25:03                                                           

Fastest Espoir: Alfie Salmon (Hart Performance Coaching)  1:05.04

Road bikes
1 Freddie Checketts (LFGSS CC)      1:03.42
2 David Ross (Elevate RT)     1:07.00
3 Martin Smith (6AM Cycling)          1:09.20
4 Geoff Ewen (CC Ashwell)   1:10.36
5 Gregory Speakman (Thames Valley Police)           1:10.51
6 Simon Broadway (Islington Cycling Club) 1:12.24