OKEHAMPTON Cycle Club held its open ten mile time trial last Thursday and the warm weather drew a good field of 41 riders. Competition from all over the South West converged on Sourton Village Hall with the expectation of fast times on the popular S40 course. This starts on the A30 dual carriageway 2.4 miles west of Sourton, continuing towards Launceston before turning at the Stowford Cross slip road and rejoining the eastbound carriageway to the finish. It was a keenly contested event with 33 seconds covering the first three riders. Fastest rider was Chris Murphy (St Austell Whs) clocking 21.25, closely followed by David Minns (Camel Valley) with 21.45 and Tony Farnell (Penz Whs) on 21.58. There was a good turnout of club members taking part and from those Steve Podd was fastest, taking eighth place with 23.03. Special mention should also be made for the debut open time trial performance of junior Dave Gribble who achieved a commendable time of 27.37. Results: C Murphy (St Austell Whs), 21.25; D Minns (Camel Valley), 21.45; T Farnell (Penz Whs), 21.58; I Rowe (Police AA) 22.31; R Stenton (Plym Cor) 22.58. At the post-race prizegiving club chairman Robert Szembek thanked everyone for participating, giving special thanks to the event organiser Tony Johnson, the timekeepers, marshals, ladies 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.
