ALTON CC/Owens Cycles promoted an Open 10-mile time trial on Saturday that incorporated the Wessex VTTA Championships.

Sixty-six riders, including seven ladies, set off into a strong headwind on the H10/8 A31 course down towards the Holybourne roundabout. The return leg proved much more favourable, with a good tailwind to assist.

No-one, however, was able to break the magical 20-minute (30 mph+) barrier. Robert Moore of Nuun-Sigma Sport-London Racing Team came closest and took the main prize with his 20mins 07secs.

Another senior rider, Chris Loake of Pure Motion Cycling Club, took second spot with 20-35 and veterans category regular Steve Williamson of local club ‘...a3crg’ came third in 20-39.

Blazing Saddles member Andy Langdown, last year’s winner, could only manage fourth this time with 20-48.

Fastest lady was another ...a3crg rider, Angela Carpenter, who clocked a very good 22-50, well ahead of Christine Rowley (23-48) of Poole Wheelers.

The team prize went to ...a3crg, with Drew Hosie’s time of 22-41 complementing the efforts of Williamson and Carpenter.

Angela Carpenter also claimed the veterans-on-standard prize in the 40-49 age group with +5-53, with Phil Watts of North Hants Road Club taking the 50-59 age group (+6-31), Jerry Bromyard of ...a3crg winning the 60-69 section (+4-51) and Raymond Dare of Kingston Phoenix RC taking the 70+ group title (+7-07).

Mary Corbett (Sotonia CC) and Steve Whitewick (Velo Refined Aerosmiths) took the tandem prize with their 21-49.

The best Alton CC rider was Iain Cotton with 23-43, followed closely by Shaun Blow in 23-46.

Alton’s Paul Jones was the race organiser, while the ...a3crg pair of Kathy Collard-Berry and Chris Thomas provided time-keeping services. Alan Jacob and Eddy Stevens did the pushing-off and home club volunteers helped ensure that the event ran smoothly.

• For the third time this year, Alan Murchison of Drag2Zero was quickest round the H10/8 A31 10-mile course at Alton CC/Owens Cycles’ regular weekly time trial last Thursday. A gusty south-westerly helped the riders on the return leg.

Eleven riders entered and Murchison (20-50) finished ahead of the Farnham Tri pair of Dom Brook (22-03) and James Long (22-15).

Alton times: Iain Cotton 24-32, Shaun Blow 24-39, junior Ollie Suatt (second claim) 25-04, Charlie Williams 25-51, Keith Parrish 26-25.

Alan Jacob did the timekeeping, with help from Peter Remnant and Eddy Stevens.

• The time trial promoted by Alton CC/Owens Cycles on Thursday, June 15 was also the 25-mile Club Championship.

A brisk westerly breeze was a challenge for the lighter entrants. Twice, the riders had to negotiate the westbound section of the H25/8 A31 course down to the Holybourne roundabout and heading into the stiff breeze definitely suited the more powerful riders.

Dom Brooks of Farnham Tri was quickest on the night with a time of 55mins 34secs.

He was one of five riders to break the hour mark, with Rick Froud, Alton CC (56-17), James Long, Farnham Tri (57-07), Tom Foster, Team Crank (57-09), and unattached James Allen (59-28) taking the other top placings.

Of the Alton members, Rick Froud wrested back the ‘25’ club title from last year’s winner, Shaun Blow.

Froud still works away from the area, so he was delighted to be able to return and compete for the championship.

Another four of the 11 riders attempting the longer distance were Alton members. Their times: Iain Cotton 1-03-11, Shaun Blow 1-04-08, Keith Parrish 1-10-21, Gary Hodgson 1-17-24.

Alan Jacob and Dick Wetherbed held the stopwatches, with help from Eddy Stevens and Jim Woods.