Despite riding on his third 100-mile race, Adam Topham discovered unrealised potential to beat former British best all-rounder Nik Bowdler in Hounslow & District Wheelers’ 100 race on Sunday.

Riding for High Wycombe, Topham recorded three hours, 38 minutes, 46 seconds, finishing nearly three minutes clear of the Team Pedal Revolution rider in 3:41:38.

Bowlder had led by 49 seconds at the 50-mile stage and was delighted to go over the finishing line having beaten his own course record by one minute, 45 seconds, only for Topham to have produced a remarkable performance.

Topham’s winning tactic involved going hard into the wind and easing off a little on the tailwind sections.

“Previously when attempting this distance my power outfput has dropped in the last 25 miles but this time it was constant,” he said.

“All the same it still hurt by my three-hour turbo sessions have proved their worth.”

Conditions were not easy and 17 of the early starters ended up being out in the strong and blustery ride in more than five hours.

The National Vets’ Mixed Tandem record was also broken with Hounslow & District’s Paul Holdsworth and Jill Bartlett finished in 3.56:40.

Holdsworth was surprised to have got under four hours in the wind while Bartlett managed to look remarkably fresh considering the conditions.

“It didn’t seem to take very long, “she said. “But if I had been out there on my own I would probably still be out there.”

Result: 1 Adam Topham (High Wycombe CC) 3.38.46, 2 Nik Bowdler (Team Pedal Revolution) 3.41.38, 3 Steve Berry (San Fairy Ann CC) 3.48.20, 4 Geoff Loveman (Fareham Wheelers) 3.56.06, 5 Matt Malloy (Finsbury Park CC) 3 .59.31, 6 Jon Lewis (Charlotteville CC) 4.02.29, 7 Stefan Harrison (Team Echelon Rotor) 4.03.03, 8 Graeme Stirzaker (A3CRG) 4.03.21, 9 Steve Irwin (Kingston Wheelers) 4.08.3, 10 Jim Lay (Kingston Wheelers) 4.08.54.