Henrik Persson (FTP Race Team) felt he had ‘nothing to lose’ as he took victory by 35 seconds in the Finsbury Park CC 50, while Naomi De Pennington (DRAG2ZERO) was a clear victor in the women’s event.

Veteran rider Persson went quickest on the day in a personal best time of one hour, 39 minutes and 40 seconds.

Despite fading towards the finish De Pennington won the women’s event by over four minutes and also set a personal best of 1-47-50.

The fast F2/50 course saw riders compete out and back along the A428 between Cambourne and Madingley.

Hot conditions greeted riders and a moderate north westerly wind which assisted them on the Caxton Gibbet to Madingley legs and not too troublesome on the returns.

The dreaded prospect of surprise A428 roadworks at Caxton Gibbet did not materialise allowing the event to go ahead.

Despite the event taking place the day before the National 50-mile Championship a strong field of 71 solo riders entered and 67 finished.

Persson finished third in the Welsh CA Championship 100 last weekend and sixth in the …a3crg 50 earlier in the month.

However, the 40-year-old was not to be denied this time out beating Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) into second (1-40-25) and Simon Smart (DRAG2ZERO) in third (1-41-37).

“I can’t look past how most of the best riders were away at the national 50 but still, I was very pleased to score a personal best and a time that I think would have stacked up nicely even if the fastest guys were around,” said Persson.

“I was well ahead of my Spindata prediction and a good minute or so improvement on my personal best.

“I went into it fairly confident after a good results so far this year, including surprising myself at the Welsh 100 last week.

“I just told myself that I had nothing to lose and to go for it, to ride bravely and put in an effort where it matters.

“That was particularly important as whilst the conditions were good with no real wind in either direction, but it was hot so going too hard would be punished.

“I struggled to keep food down during the ride which was a reminder that I’ve got to vary my approach in the hot conditions.”

Meanwhile, pre-race women’s favourite De Pennington took her fourth open win from as many open events this season.

The 47-year-old also won the ECCA 100 in her last open event earlier this month and was a clear winner on this occasion.

Fellow veteran Chris Murray (Army Cycling) led the battle behind placing second in 1-52-19, while Claire Emons (...a3crg) finished third (1-57-00). 

“It was a lovely warm day, and not too windy so great conditions,” said De Pennington.

“It was only my third attempt racing the distance and a personal best by a good margin so I was pretty satisfied with the result.

“I thought I might just make 45 kilometres per hour average speed but faded a bit towards the end having gone out full beans.

“The event was really well run and I had the opportunity to meet, chat to and get advice from some really interesting fellow time trialists which is always great.”

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

Results:

Open:

1 Henrik Persson (FTP Race Team)   1:39.40

2 Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic)          1:40.25

3 Simon Smart (DRAG2ZERO)        1:41.37

4 Lee Williams (FTP Race Team)      1:41.58

5 Samuel Woodfield (Rule 28 x ATP Performance)  1:43.07

6 Karl Norris (360VRT)         1:43.49

7 Leon Marshall (Royal Navy Cycling (RNC)          1:44.31

8 Tim Butler (Gloucester City Cycling Club)            1:45.16

9 Darran Bennett (Ely & District CC)            1:45.41

10 Peter Main (34 Nomads CC)         1:46.19

Women:

1 Naomi De Pennington (DRAG2ZERO)     1:47.50

2 Chris Murray (Army Cycling)         1:52.19

3 Claire Emons (...a3crg)        1:57.00

4 Joanna Cebrat (360cycling) 1:59.15

5 Sarah Harrison (Trek Sheffield)      2:01.58

6 Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team (LRT)            2:05.23

7 Charlotte Dadd (Melton Olympic CC)        2:06.39

8 Kathryn Smith (Sleaford Wheelers CC)      2:10.58

9 Sacha Trude (Total Tri Training)     2:11.55

10 Joy Payne (VTTA London & Home Counties)     2:14.48