Christopher McNamara beat his own course record by a single second to secure victory in the open category at the VC St Raphael Pain On Portsdown ‘Re-Run-Run’ 16.5-mile time trial on Sunday morning, with Rachel Waite taking the honours in the female category.

Riding for Sigma Sports Race Team, McNamara lowered his own course best to set an unbeaten 36-25, ahead of sibling and club-mate Simon McNamara who clocked 37-01 for second place, with a time of 39-50 helping Howard Bayley (a3crg) to third place overall and first road bike.

This marks a first win of the campaign for McNamara, having ended the 2023 season with a win at the Brighton Mitre CC 25 in October, closing out a campaign that saw him pick up eight wins from 14 events – including success on the same course at the start of the season.

On his success, he said: “This was my first time trial of the year and I really enjoyed it. It’s always a great promotion from Simon and his team at VC St Raphael and it’s a great course.

“There was a big tailwind along the cliff section that made it a fast day although the descent in the cross wind definitely kept you on edge. It’s always nice to get a one-two with my brother and I think I got the course record by a few seconds.

“I did a 36.26 last year but didn’t actually look at my time at the HQ as it was straight into the presentation!”

In the road bike category Bayley was followed home by Andover Wheelers pair Max and Mitchell Webber in 40-34 and 41-55 respectively as they rounded out the top three.

Fastest two-up pairing was to Stuart Peckham and Simon Berogna of the promoting club in a time of 44-20.

In the women’s event Waite clocked 53-41 to take victory for Andover Wheelers.

This event, run on the P821 course, is a looped circuit that starts on Portchester Lane just west of Southwick and heads onto the B2177 then bears left then right to climb through South Boarhunt, turning left into Swivelton Lane and along Portsdown Hill to the main roundabout where riders descend to Southwick roundabout, continue straight on and complete the first lap before repeating once more.

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

Results:

1. Christopher McNamara (TT Bike) Sigma Sports Race Team        36.25

2. Simon McNamara (TT Bike) Sigma Sports Race Team    37.01

3. Howard Bayley (Road Bike) …a3crg        39.50

4. Max Webber (Road Bike) Andover Wheelers        40.34

5. Mitchell Webber (Road Bike) Andover Wheelers  41.55

6. Malcolm Cox (Road Bike) Veo Club St Raphael   41.58

7. Ollie Mitchell (Road Bike) GS Mossa       42.31

8. Jason Frizzell (Road Bike) Portsmouth Triathletes             43.55

9. Adrian Talley (Road Bike) Velo Club St Raphael  46.25

10. Adrian Talley (Road Bike) VC St Raphael           46.25

Female: Rachel Waite (Road Bike) Andover Wheelers          53.41

Two-up: Stuart Peckham and Simon Berogna (TTT) Velo Club St Raphael 44.20