DORSET competitor Iain Gillam produced a storming bike leg to clinch victory in the Wiltshire Times Trowbridge Triathlon on Sunday.

Gillam was 14th after the initial 400m swim phase, but roared through the field over the 26.2km section on two wheels, a minute ahead of his nearest rival, to eventually come home more than a minute clear in top spot in one hour five minutes and 46 seconds after the five kilometre run.

Leading the home-town challenge was teenager Matthew Griffin, who finished in 1:06:97.

The 19-year-old, who is backed by the Cycology Bikes shop in Chippenham was fastest in the pool and remained in the thick of the race to finish second overall.

Matthew Everest, the University of Bath Triathlon Club competitor who has qualified for the World Championships in New Zealand later this year, came through on the final run section to finish third, a further two and a half minutes back.

Also inside the top 10 were Trowbridge Swimming Club’s Andrew Nokes, who was seventh in 1:13:48, while international triathlete Chris Roxburgh spearheaded the TEAM Trowbridge effort, finishing ninth in 1:14:06.

TEAM Trowbridge also featured a line-up of paramedics and accident and emergency staff raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, the charity of host club DB Max Tri for the year.

DB Max athletes Dan Ford and Mel Nicholls, who have also qualified for the World Championships in their age categories, were 30th and 47th (third woman) respectively.

The event was also backed by Tesco, Cycology Bikes and Sportsbug.

Race director Jim Hart said: “Iain (Gillam) smashed it up on the bike leg really and that was enough to set him up for the win.

“It was a success for us because we had 210 starters and more than 190 finishers, as well as the kids’ (Tri Star Aquathlon) events.

“Luckily we finished before the torrential rain arrived because the tennis court where we had our transition area was flooded not long afterwards. We had a lot of first-timers taking part and hopefully, with the success Great Britain had in the Olympic (men’s) triathlon, more people will get involved.’’

Full results: dbmax.co.uk