ALTON Cycling Club/Owens Cycles’ annual Open 10-Mile Time Trial, incorporating the Wessex Veterans TT Championship, took place in fine weather on Saturday.

The 64 riders had to contend with some variable cross-winds on the return leg, but for the most part, the conditions were favourable for fast times on the A31 bypass course.

Chris Loake of West Byfleet-based Pure Motion Cycles certainly found the going to his liking, recording a personal best and taking the top prize in the solo men’s category with 19mins 33secs.

Runner-up Antony Green (New Forest CC) was only three seconds off his PB with 20-10 and Kevin Baker (Andover Wheelers) took the third podium spot in 20-51.

The women’s section was won by Joy Payne of Amersham Road CC with 25-31.

The Wessex VTTA Championship results for fastest time on standard were: 1st, Antony Green (New Forest CC) 20-10, +6.49; 2nd, Nigel Sign (Fareham Wheelers) 22-00, +5.44; 3rd, Richard Williams (Farnham RC) 24-17, +5.36.

The team prize went to Farnham Road Club’s trio of Huw Lloyd, Richard Williams and Greg Harding.

Alton clubman Charlie Williams organised the event with help from members and timekeeping officials from the a3crg group.

Alton’s regular 10-mile time time last Thursday co-incided with the summer solstice and conditions were ideal on the H10/8 A31 course.

Just Pedal Race Team member Ben Hopwood was fastest rider for the third week running, just missing out on another sub 20-minute time with 20-01.

Dom Brooks of Farnham Triathlon?Club was second quickest with 20-50, edging out unattached rider Kier O’Donnell in 21-05.

Promising new member Pete Christensen was comfortably ahead of the other six Alton riders, recording a personal best 21-28.

Two other Alton riders recorded personal bests. Junior member Hamish Kuperus (23-42) took a massive 41 seconds off his previous mark. Not to be outdone, Miles Thomas, who only two weeks before had completed the gruelling 305-kilometre Welsh Dragon Ride on his fixed-wheel bike, demonstrated that miles in the legs generally count for good performances. Making his first appearance in this year’s Alton series, he clocked 24-27, an improvement of 58 seconds on his previous PB set in May last year.

Iain Cotton recorded 23-48, ahead of Shaun Blow (24-12), Charlie Williams (24-43) and Martin Simmonds (27-08).

Dick Weatherbed and Alan Jacob held the stopwatches and John Heath assisted with the pushing off.