National champion Chris Fennell (The Independent Pedaller-Nopinz) added the Medway Velo Open 10 success to his list of race wins.

After a couple of years at different courses due to Covid, the race returned to its traditional home on the Isle of Grain course, with riders having to deal with a deceptive headwind on the return leg to the finish.

Fennell came home in 19min28sec, a full one minute ahead of his brother Nic, who claimed second place. Army Cycling’s Stefan Gloyn was the only other rider in the 20-minute bracket, recording a time of 20.55.

Medway Velo Michael Stanley continued his strong season with a time of 24.52, just ahead of Wigmore rider Jamie Harris.

First woman overall was Debbie Percival (Kent Velo Girls/boys) who rode her time trial bike in 27:16.

With the increasing popularity of riding traditional road bikes in time trials, a number riders opted for the road bike event, with Huseyin Vardal of the Gemini winning the category in 22.32 ahead of Paul Turton (23.55) and Cameron Carthew of Wigmore in 25.07.

Medway Velo’s Sally Smith was first placed woman in the women’s road bike event, ahead of Martina Ben-Shaul and Caroline Wyke. Smith and Ben-Shaul also being placed second and third woman overall.

Organiser Matt Nunn thanked all riders for taking part, saying: “The first of our open time trials bought out the fine weather and a number of riders recorded personal best times, coping well with the windy conditions you usually find on the Isle of Grain.

“I would thank all of the riders who entered as well as the club members who gave up their time to marshal, and assist at the event.”

The club’s second open event is a 25 mile event on the Hamstreet bypass on Sunday.