Michael Gill (Saint Piran) showed his form over sporting terrain by winning the Barnesbury CC hilly 21-mile event by nearly three minutes, while Joanne Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) was also a comfortable winner in the women’s event.

Gill, aged 23 and from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was scratch rider after winning last year’s event and was again the victor covering the tough 21-mile course in 42 minutes and 59 seconds.

The M21 course started at Belsay in Northumberland before riders headed out past the Bolam Lake Country Park to Scots Gap. Competitors then completed a lumpy seven-mile loop before making the return journey back to Belsay.

A large section of the course had been re-surfaced which helped lower times, but conditions were a challenge with a cold temperature and a heavy hail storm hitting riders towards the end of the event, impacting on times.

Gill took his first victory of the season after being narrowly beaten in the Coalville Wheelers 10 last weekend.

In the difficult conditions Gill’s winning time was 37 seconds slower than his winning time last year.

On his first outing of the season Lewis Timmins (Vector Racing) led the charge behind taking second in 45-51 which was 31 seconds quicker than Jay Pitt (Velo Culture) 46-22.

Spindata had predicted a victory for Gill in 42-15 but the tough weather conditions slowed his time in reality.

“I really enjoy sporting courses, the M21 in particular, so it was very satisfying to take my first win of the season on this course,” said Gill.

“The weather conditions made an already tough course really quite brutal, so I was pleased to be within reach of my time from last season. 

“As always in the North East, it was a great event so huge thanks goes to the organisers, timekeepers and every other competitor in today’s race.”

Quickest veteran on scratch was Phil Hall (Velo Culture) who covered the course in a time of 48-05.

Harris Hall (Velo Culture) put in an impressive ride of 50-05 to finish fastest juvenile in 13th place overall while Daniel Holmes (Ribble Recharge Race Team) was quickest junior in 50-31.

Meanwhile, Rea was an emphatic winner in the women’s event posting a winning time of 54 minutes and 34 seconds winning by six minutes and 32 seconds.

Rea narrowly missed the podium in the National Road Bike Championship last month finishing fourth but was back in top spot on this occasion.

Quickest veteran Carol Westmorland (Border City Whs CC) led the charge behind taking second in 1-01-06 while Vicky Gibbs      (Reifen Racing) was third (1-02-32).

Amelia Cleathero (Racing Metro 15) was fastest juvenile girl completing the course in 1-07-43.

Results:

Men:

1          Michael Gill    Saint Piran       42:59

2          Lewis Timmins            Vector Racing 45:51

3          Jay Pitt Velo Culture   46:22

4          Lewis Wake    Team Kirkley Cycles  46:33

5          Julian MacBride          Team Kirkley Cycles  46:46

6          Terry Wilkinson          GTR - Return to Life  47:46

Juvenile: Harris Hall   Velo Culture   50:05

Junior: Daniel Holmes            Ribble Rechrg Race Team      50:31

Veteran: Phil Hall       Velo Culture   48:05

Women:

1          Joanne Rea      Team Kirkley Cycles  54:34

2          Carol Westmorland     Border City Whs CC  1:01:06

3          Vicky Gibbs    Reifen Racing 1:02:32

4          Caroline Cunningham North Tyneside Riders CC     1:02:43

5          Justine Norman           Velo Culture   1:02:59

6          Sarah Lewington        Alnwick Cycling Club            1:05:57

Juvenile: Amelia Cleathero    Racing Metro 15         1:07:43