A BUMPER turn-out of 27 riders, including one four-up, one two-up and two tandems, kept starters and timekeepers busy at the Alton CC/Owens Cycles weekly 10-mile time trial.

Conditions were good and some impressive times were recorded on the A31 H10/8 course, but it was the familiar faces of two 17-year-olds, Jack Freeman and Ollie Williams (ex-Alton CC and now VC Meudon), with four-up club colleagues Ed Bishop and Dylan Thomas, who jointly recorded the best time seen in this year’s series.

Their 20-08 was just a whisker away from achieving an average speed of 30 mph over the out-and-back course.

Second and third with identical times of 20-54 were Peter Hitt, riding for Gillingham-based TBW Bottechia Wigmore Racing Team, and frequent visitor to the Alton series, Steve Williamson of a3crg.

Two tandem pairings, J Curry and J Saunders (Charlotteville) and Rob Allen and Andy Weller (Farnham Road Club) recorded 21-28 and 23-24 respectively. Louise Vere and Mike Naulis of Winchester-based VC Venta rode a two-up and stopped the clock on 23-11.

Only three Alton members competed and Charlie Williams took the honours, not only pipping Steve Newton, but also nailing his first sub-25mins ride in the series with 24-52.

Newton clocked 25-15 and was probably feeling a little ‘leggy’ after recording a PB the night before. Kevin Martin came home in 25-22.

Alan Jacob, Eddie Stevens and Jim Woods officiated.