After a long, cold winter, the first Ross-on-Wye & District Cycling Club 10 mile time trials took place this week at Old Gore. A vicious diagonal side/tailwind out didn't help greatly out to the turn, but it let itself be known on the return leg home. Temperature-wise it was not too bad for the riders, but the helpers and spectators felt the chill.

The start was at the top of Woodredding, with a very fast leg out to Preston's Cross roundabout before the return leg back to the top of Woodredding. This was the section that had everyone grovelling into the head wind, with the hill almost being a pleasure offering shelter from the wind.

Schoolboy, Matt Fallon picked up where he left off last season, stealing an easy win, clear of the rest of the field by 30 seconds in a time of 28:22. Young Matt specialises on the hills, with a long climb to the finish playing to his strengths. Paul Stephens came in second in 28:52 with Max Suff a mere two seconds behind him.

Nick Philpott was fourth in 30:19, with James Wilson pleased to be so close to Nick in 30:26, as the gap between the two is usually far larger. Now in his second year, Richard Harrington just edged out Gary Downs, who's in his first season of racing with times of 32:03 & 32:18 respectively. Tony Price finished in a time of 33:00, with another new to racing Paul Middleton in 34:04, which he was happy with as it was very close to his target time, on a hard night. Last home was Jean-Luc Solandt in 34:51.

Because of the poor state of the roads around Ross, next week's event will be another Old Gore 10. For more information about local cycling, check out http://www.rosscc.co.uk/website/">http://www.rosscc.co.uk/website/

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.