Copeland clocks course best

Copeland, who has been in imperious form this season, recorded a time of 33min 36sec to claim victory on the 15-mile P823c route around Wickham.

Paul Ashley, who was the first veteran, finished second in 35.25.

And James Brickell completed the podium with his time of 36.31 on the course which starts out at Mellish Bottom, near Hundred Acres Road.

Brickell was also the top under-18 in the field of 34 riders.

Caitlin Peters, 14, was the first lady finisher as she clocked 41.22.

Copeland’s win came on the back of his individual success in the latest round of the Portsdown Time Trial League.

He won round three – a 35km test laid on by Portsmouth North End – in a time of 50.55.

His team-mate Gary Chambers was second in 51.09 and with Ashley (52.04) grabbing fourth spot, the Wheelers soared to the top of the team standings.

And they will be determined to defend their lead when the competition roars back into action with a 10-mile event hosted by Blazing Saddles tomorrow (8am).

The P903 course begins at Slindon, with The Forge acting as the race headquarters.

Hampshire Road Club’s Tom Pritchard (355pts) leads the individual standings from Ashley (341), with Blazing Saddles rider Hamish Walker (334) in third spot.

n Joe Clark finished 65th in the Junior Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic on Sunday.

The i-Team Racing Development Squad junior race team rider rose to the challenge of the unique Leicestershire contest, which features a mixture of roads and farm tracks.

Alongside team-mates Nick Kimish and Harvey McNaughton, the 17-year-old Alton College student gained great experience as he raced shoulder to shoulder with the best juniors in the country.

Meanwhile in the senior race, Perfs Pedal winner Rory Townsend won his weight in beer following a solo breakaway.

Irish talent Conor Dunne took the title for JLT Condor.

n Portsmouth North End rider Tom Morris was 20th in the Stockbridge Down Road Race on Sunday.

The contest was won by Pedal Heaven’s Will Fox.