Chris Birch of Oakhanger scored a major success with his VC St Raphael team-mate, Rowan Horner, in France on Sunday. They were competing in the Duo Normand, Europe's biggest team time trial.

The UK competition record holders were again riding their tandem, Birch piloting and Horner 'stoking'. It was their first attempt with the tandem in this UCI international event. Birch last rode in Normandy in 1995 as a junior and has been itching to get back to make a bigger impact.

There were 15 categories of teams, from elite (professional) to handicap riders, and the tandem class was about the hardest. Pushing a tandem up the long hills around the 54-kilometre course was no joke.

There is some gain while descending and the 24-year-old Birch swooped back into Marigny with his computer showing 55 mph. But this was only the 38k mark and the remaining 16kms included the long haul between St Lo and Coutance.

With Horner crouching low, at the back, the Oakhanger chef was serving his 'tour de force' on the front as Tour de France announcer Daniel Mangeas relayed to spectators that they were on a record-breaking ride.

As the tandem crew came into sight, they received a huge cheer from the many riders that make the annual pilgrimage and crossed the line in 1hr 13mins 37, giving them victory. Not only are they the best crew at home, but also now in Europe.

The weekend got underway with a sell-out dinner at Marigny, where guests included Chris Boardman, Eddie Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Francesco Moser, and Tony Rominger.

This event was the 20th edition and Liphook's Pete Pickers and Alan Dawson were hoping to repeat their success at the special 15th edition.

However, the Northover pair had to settle for third place in the veterans' class in 1-24-05. Close behind, in 1-25-52, was team-mate Jack Brown, the 67-year-old rider from Petersfield, partnered by Tom Cox of Farnham.

As expected, Rother Valley riders David and Chris Shepherd had their six-year domination of the non-licensed class ended by Steve Walkling and Simon Berogna who won in 1-17-17. Portsmouth North End team-mates Dave Dent and Tony Hart came second. This class has the biggest participation with 112 teams completing the course. The Shepherd brothers came in at 1-23-15, giving them fourth place.

Their father, Fred Shepherd, a mere 71-year-old, partnered Shirley Cobley from the Hampshire Road Club. They recorded 1-46-40, finishing just in front of the younger Northover pair, Sue Dawson and Roger Scott (1-45-48).