HUTCHINSON MAKES IT EIGHT

MICHAEL Hutchinson secured a record eighth consecutive National 50-Mile Time Trial Championship title with a commanding performance at Tempsford, Bedfordshire, on Sunday.

Hutchinson, riding for In Gear-Quickvit RT, timed his ride to perfection, winning by 20 seconds from A3CRG?s Ben Instone, while four-time winner Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) took third, almost three minutes behind Hutch.

At the 25-mile stage Hutchinson was 13 seconds ahead of Instone, while Andrew Bason (Wrekinsport CC) was third fastest. But Bason faded over the second half, while Prebble continued with his effort to step up to the podium.

In the women?s event - run at Ware a few miles down the road - Julia Shaw (GS Strada) completed a hat-trick of 2007 titles with victory to add to the 10-mile and 25-mile titles.

She clocked 1-57-45 to win by 1-15 from Lynn Hamel (The Green Room Group), while Rapha Condor?s Ruthie Manly was third, just two seconds further back.

National 50-mile Championship.-

1 Michael Hutchinson (In Gear-Quickvit RT) 1-42-22

2 Ben Instone (A3CRG) 1-42-42

3 Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) 1-45-11

Women.- Julia Shaw (GS Strada) 1-57-45.