Matthew Bottrill sets new course record at Derby Mercury 25 mile time trial

Matthew Bottrill's outstanding form continued on Saturday as he set a new course record and personal best at the Derby Mercury 25 mile time
trial.

The www.drag2zero.com rider stopped the clock on 46:10 to take 28 seconds off Michael Hutchinson's best time on the Etwall course.

Despite riding into a head wind on the outward leg towards Uttoxeter, the warm dry air helped ensure a quick pace for many riders.

But it was Bottrill who was fastest in the 120-strong field and, fresh from setting a personal best over 50 miles last weekend, he was soon celebrating again as he recorded what is believed to be the fourth fastest

25-mile time ever recorded in the UK.

Speaking after the event, Bottrill said: "I'm well happy with today's performance. My coach Bob Tobin worked out that setting a new course record would be possible after last week's ride, we just needed the weather to play ball, which luckily it did! To have taken 28 seconds off Michael Hutchinson's course record is just something else."

Jason Boutell of TeamVelocity.co.uk was second with 49:10

and Andy Jackson of Team Swift finished third with 49:26.

In Wales, it's believed that another course record was broken as Northovers VT rider Jon Wynn won the Welsh Cycling Association 100 with a time of 3:39:23, four seconds quicker than Rob Townsend in second.

That wasn't the end to the weekend of records either as new bests were set at Raglan, Ranby and in the Altrincham Ravens and King's Lynn CC events.

Rob Scott (Plymouth Corinthian CC) smashed his own course record at Raglan. He stopped the clock on 1:47:51 at the Plymouth Corinthians CC 50, taking 47 seconds off his own record.

The Ranby course hosted the VTTA (North Midlands) 25 and Jason Bateman of Pendle Forest CC set a new course record of 50:39, finishing 1:07 ahead of

Mark Wolstenholme in second.

Manchester Wheelers veteran Simon Bridge set both course and event records at the Altrincham Ravens Open 25 as he flew round in 52:44.

Over the same distance, Mary Bower of Chelmer CC set a women's course record of 1:02:09 on the Stradsett to Mundford route at the King's Lynn Open 25. Julia Shaw had held the previous record for 10 years.

Another 25 mile trial held by Bedfordshire RCC in aid of charity was won by Matt Sinclair. The Lutterworth Cycle Centre RT rider put down a time of 52:54, beating Colin Ward by 48 seconds.

The Eastbourne Rovers 25 had to be cut down to 13.9 miles due to road works and was won by Steve Kane of Brighton Excelsior CC with a time of 29:19.