Members of Chester Road Club (CRC) have been posting some impressive results over the past few weeks.

The club took to the road at the British Cycling Bickerstaffe race in Lancashire, a 40 mile event on a flat course allowing for fast and furious racing.

Team tactics came into play with club-mates Matt Bithell, Phil Faulder, Jamie Fletcher, James Holmes and Gary Maoudis doing a superb job controlling the bunch, allowing Nick Whitley to break away with two other competitors four laps from the end.

Whitley finished second overall, just missing out in the sprint. Team-mates Dan Rowett and Jonathan Huck came in sixth and 12th respectively.

Nick Whitley, who came second overall, and Phil Faulder at the Bickerstaffe race
Nick Whitley, who came second overall, and Phil Faulder at the Bickerstaffe race

CRC's Jimmy Smith teamed up with 11 time Paralympic gold medalist Dame Sarah Storey for the Manchester & District Ladies Cycling Association 10 mile invitational time trial, which was held on the Chelford course.

The time trial - known as the race of truth because of its simplicity - is just the rider and bike racing against the clock.

Both Storey and Smith rode well to record a combined time of 45:36 to take fourth place on the day.

With a field full of strong riders including Olympic champion Joanna Rowsell, the competition for the win was fierce and was taken by Commonwealth Games rider Alastair Rutherford and his team-mate Katie Archibald with a blistering time of 44:41.

Closer to home, there was more time trial success for CRC ladies in the 10 mile circuit around Farndon run under Cycling Time Trials (CTT).

An outstanding display by Jill Wilkinson saw her clinch the female victory posting a time of 25:15. Team-mate Kayleigh Jewell came third in the same category and the talented 17-year-old won the junior category with her time of 31:16.

Club vice chairman Phil Pearson said: "It’s great to see our members representing Chester Road Club with strong performances in lots of events recently.

"However, the club isn’t just about racing, we are an inclusive club where social rides and skill development are just as important. Whatever your level of ability and fitness, there’s something for everyone."

Jimmy Smith partnered Dame Sarah Storey at Chelford
Jimmy Smith partnered Dame Sarah Storey at Chelford