IT was third time lucky for Alan Murchison of Drag2Zero as he recorded the fastest time over 10 miles at the Alton CC/Owens Cycles weekly time trial.

He managed a couple of wins on the A31 course earlier in the season, but was less successful as the competition hotted up and times improved all round.

However, after taking second and third spots in the previous two meetings, Murchison got it right this time and eclipsed the field with a time of 21mins 16secs.

He tweeted afterwards: “First cheeky TT win after knee operation, getting progressively less slow.”

Oliver Hayward (University of Birmingham CC) took second place with 21-31 and regular visitor Dom Brooks (Farnham Tri) came third in 22-08.

Best Alton member was Rick Froud, making a rare but welcome return to his home club and course, having been on a long-term secondment due to work. His 22-35 was good enough to head clubmates Shaun Blow (24-11), Steve Newton (25-12), Kevin Martin (25-21) and Paul Hewitt (26-11).

Twenty riders competed and Alan Jacob, Dick Weatherbed, Eddie Stevens and Martin McCullough held the stopwatches and did the pushing-off.

Alton Cycling Club hold their Open 25-mile event on Sunday, September 4, first riders off at 8am.