CYCLING

WITH only a week to go before their own season opener, the Hainault Roads Club had two riders in the open 20-mile time trial at Great Baddow, Essex.

Mark Steers was on fine form over the tough climber's course, recording a time of 55mins 32secs, an improvement of nearly three minutes over his 2007 time.

He also moved up six places in the overall positions since that previous ride, showing signs that some beneficial winter training has paid dividends.

His fellow rider Chris Tomkins, riding the early season race for the first time, turned in a time of just over an hour.

Both will find the race valuable training for the Hainault 'Hilly' on Sunday.

The event has attracted a sizeable entry of 99 riders and Steers and Tomkins will be part of a nine-man Hainault Roads team who will be pitting their fitness against some very tough climbs on the 50km course.