EMILY Martin was the fastest female rider at last week’s University of Manchester Cycling Club 10-mile time trial in Cheshire.

The Weaver Valley Cycling Club member completed a course that takes riders from Monks Heath through Chelford and Booth’s Hall in 24:22 to win by more than a minute from Catherine Aitchison (Liverpool University CC).

Meanwhile Alex Royle, from Manchester Bicycle Club, took the men’s prize in 20:56 ahead of Northwich professional Matt Nowell (Saint Piran) on his bow for 2019.

Weaver Valley’s Sam Taylor timed 22:43 to classify 15th overall, followed by clubmates Stuart Ward (24:28), Andrew Lea (24:33), John O’Mara (25:08), Colin Carthy (25:33) and Colin Latter (25:55).

Martin and Taylor competed in a curtain-raiser for the 2019 Pimbo Road Race Series at Skelmersdale following day in wretched conditions.

They were joined by Laura Gray.

Taylor ranked inside the top 10 among category three riders in the field, while Gray was eighth in the women’s race with Martin further back in the bunch.