OKEHAMPTON'S competitive cycling club has won a new regional award to encourage more people to take part in time trials.

The two-year-old club has succeeded in having the most improved percentage of entries in open road time trial events throughout Devon and Cornwall in the year 2000.

With a rise in entries from 10 to 43, Okehampton was head and shoulders above the rest and the club only has a membership of just over 30.

'It's a great achievement for a relatively new club like Okehampton,' said Ken Robertson, secretary of the Road Time Trials Council (RTTC) in the South West.

'Lots of clubs have improved but no one else in Devon and Cornwall could match an increase of over 300 per cent.'

The new award, which carries with it prize money of £100, came out of a brainstorming session from the RTTC to get more people participating in these adrenaline-pumping races against the clock.

'Over the years the number of people riding in time trials has been sliding slowly,' added Mr Robertson. 'So we came up with the idea of a club competition with cash prizes sponsored by our national committee and East Cornwall firm Westward Storage.'

Secretary of Okehampton Cycle Club Darren Bostock said the competitive side of the club was really taking off.

'We have also had our own club time trials which give people a taste for it and it's a good way into racing,' he said.

'People like having a bash at this type of event because it is not so intimidating as a proper race. You are racing against the clock and not against other cyclists.'

Darren said within the club there were about 15 riders who had taken part in open time trials this year but he hoped the number of entries would continue to improve so the club could have a go at the title again in 2001. The £100 will go towards new racing kit.

From road and off-road racing to long distance events and leisure cycling, Okehampton Cycle Club is participating in nearly all cycling disciplines. New members are always welcome.