WITH the non-appearance of two of his main rivals, Okehampton Cycling Club member Steven Sage took full advantage to win the club?s open 25-mile time trial last Saturday evening.

In what was a keenly contested event with fewer than 20 seconds covering the first three riders, Sage came from behind to record the fast time of 57.32.

The course started on the A386 half a mile south west of Sourton before joining the A30 dual carriageway and continuing towards Launceston, taking the Lifton Down turn off and rejoining the carriageway towards Okehampton with the finish at the base of the hill before Sourton Services.

At the 13.5 mile turn at Lifton Down, Sage?s split time was 30.13 putting him six seconds behind Mark Sanders (Mid Devon CC) and four seconds down on Richard Kellaway (St Budeaux CC). However, he was stronger in the final 11.5 miles and managed to overhaul his opponents to win by just two seconds.

There was further success for the club with members Mike Rice winning the fastest veteran over 40 category and wife Jacky Rice picking up the prize for being the fastest lady achieving a new personal best time of 1.4.54.

Results: S Sage (Oke CC) 57.32; M Sanders (Mid Devon CC) 57.34; R Kellaway (St Budeaux), 57.49; T Farnell (Penz Whs), 59.39; A Retter (Oke CC) 1.07.07; J Rice (Oke CC) 1.04.54, Mike Rice (Oke CC). 1.06.31; S Quigley (Oke CC),1.07.07; N Williams (Oke CC), 1.08.56; R Dean (CS Dynamo), 1.08.56; M Laing (Tavy Whs) 1.09.20; M Legg (Tav Whs), 1.09.33; P Rice (Rochdale Tri), 1.12.00.

Unluckiest rider on the night was Dave Baskerville who punctured after Lifton Down and was unable to complete the course.

At the post-race prize giving, event organiser Tony Johnston thanked everyone for participating giving special thanks to the timekeepers, marshals, helpers providing refreshments and friends of the cycle club who helped to make the event a success.

For further information about the club and its events, call in and see Darren at Okehampton Cycles.