Nicholas Trbovic completed the perfect preparation for the upcoming National 10-Mile Championships with victory at the East Anglian VTTA 10-mile time trial on Saturday afternoon, with Hannah O’Brien top of the women’s standings.

Riding for Elysium Kalas Race Team, Trbovic clocked 17-57 to earn a third win from five events so far in 2024, just ahead of the 18-24 set by runner-up Jacob Storey, while Trbovic’s teammate Jonny Allen claimed the final spot on the podium in 18-56.

“It’s a course I’ve ridden once before - twice if you include a broken chain at the turn - and the weather on paper was lining up to be a really fast day,” said Trbovic. “I did have half an eye on the course record which I fell a little short of in the end.

“The wind felt a lot blusterier than it did constant which made it tricky so I went hard on the out leg as planned and tried to survive home where the heat really took its toll.

“It was brilliantly organised and well marshalled so thank you to those that put their weekend into supporting the race - next up for me is the National 10 on the same road but a different layout, today was my primer ahead of that, the legs felt good so fingers crossed for a good showing in two weeks.”

In the women’s event, O’Brien (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) posted 21-37 to comfortably triumph ahead of Gretchen Zoeller (Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles) in 23-13, while Mary Twitchett (Cambridge Cycling Club) was narrowly edged into third by two seconds in 23-15.

“I’m happy with my result as it was a very warm day, my first time riding the course as a 10 and only my second 10 of the season,” said O’Brien after the race.

“I’ve mainly focussed on the longer distances this year, 25s and 50s and with some events cancelled which included some 10s it was great to get familiar with the intensity of the shorter distance again.

“I’ve got a few more 10s to ride in September so hoping to finish my season in good form.”

In the road bike category, Michael Weaver of Rockingham Forest Wheelers was quickest road bike in 21-32, while Mona Chammas (PDQ Cycle Coaching) topped the standingsfor female road bike in 26-50.

This event, held on course F2A/10, is an out-and-back that starts on St Neots Road and almost immediately turns westbound on A428 past Cambourne until reaching the Caxton gibbet roundabout where riders turn and follow the route back eastwards through the Hardwick Interchange to finish just before the Hardwick Interchange.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Open:

1. Nicholas Trbovic (Elysium Kalas Race Team)               17.57

2. Jacob Storey (trainSharp)       18.24

3. Jonny Allen (Elysium Kalas Race Team)18.56

4. Matt O’Brien (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning)               19.19

5. Sean O’Sullivan (Hart Performance Coaching)           19.26

5. Anthony Turner (Mickey Cranks Cycling Club)             19.26

7. Nic Pillinger (St Neots Cycling Club) 19.33

8. Harry Nolan (trainSharp)        19.41

9. Tim Butler (Gloucester City Cycling Club)     19.49

10. Matt Steel (Pronto Bikes)     19.53

Women:

1. Hannah O’Brien (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning)        21.37

2. Gretchen Zoeller (Born To Bike – Bridgtown Cycles)  23.13

3. Mary Twitchett (Cambridge Cycling Club)     23.15

4. Caroline Harding (Velo Club St Raphael)       24.38

4. Deborah Sheridan (…a3crg)  24.38

6. Dawn Donaldson (St Neots Cycling Club)     25.53

7. Stephanie Cousins (QN Racing)         26.03

8. Mona Chammas (PDQ Cycle Coaching)         26.50