MATT Nowell celebrated success during the Birkenhead Park Circuit Races on Sunday, when he was two minutes clear by the finish.

The Northwich rider, competing in BIKE Channel Canyon colours, completed 40 miles in a time of 1:33.12 to leave second-placed Dan Whelan (Onimpex Bio Racer RT) trailing behind him.

Meanwhile Jim Duffy continues to impress in 2017, leading Weaver Valley Cycling Club’s charge in the Manchester and District Time Trial Association’s 50-mile Championship on Saturday.

In hot and humid conditions, which largely accounted for more than 20 non-finishers, he completed a course near Goostrey in 2:05.08 to classify just outside the top 20 in a high-class field.

Clubmate Dave Fearon stopped the clock in 2:13.43 to finish in 36th place.

Charles Taylor (Team Bottrill) topped the timesheet after posting 1:51.36, while Ben Norbury (Congleton CC) and John Morgan (Cover Your Car) made up the rest of the top three.

Weaver Valley are promoting this year’s Oulton Park Road Race Series, which concluded its second round at the motor racing circuit in Little Budworth last week.

The first prize in the senior race went to Ryan Ashcroft (4Bikes), while Matthew Dennis (Sportcity Velo) was a victor in the junior category.