by Paul Godfrey

THE third week of the Hainault Roads Club’s evening 10 time trial series drew 18 riders on a calm, balmy night.

The event is proving popular with other clubs too with six racers being attracted from outside of the Hainault.

Howard Staunton blasted round the course to win in a time of twenty two minutes and twenty eight seconds breaking the course record for a veteran, beating Hainault’s own Mick Burrow who held the record since 1994.

In second place was Ilford resident, Mark Steers in 23:05, beating his personal best time on this course. Club Champion, Rob Dulson, was next up, crossing the line in 23:56 and getting faster each week.

Ilford businessman, Roger Pimm, placed forth with 24:44 and with his best ride in a long time, Paul Gee, wasn’t far behind in 24:57.

In his first outing of the year Roy Gardiner put in a fine ride stopping the clock at 25:11 to take six place.

The club’s time trial secretary, Brian Ward, was next with 27:04 with Paul Emery just two seconds behind recording his best time yet of 27:06. Frank McGowan took ninth place and was more than pleased to break ‘evens’ with his time of 28:12 and newcomer Elliott Haywood managed to secure tenth place with his time of 30:27.

Just outside the points were Chris Pimm and Patrick Smith with times of 31:22 and 32:23 respectively – Smith shaving a further two minutes from his previous week’s time.

Meanwhile, last Saturday three Hainault Roads Club riders rode the Victoria CC 10.2 mile time trial on the E1/10a course near Saffron Walden.

The weather looked favourable for the morning but a breezy headwind would tax the riders on their return leg of the out and back race starting in Ugley, Essex. Hainault’s retuning hero Ian Short rode a superb ride to finish in forth place with a great time of 23:08.

Roger Pimm and Brian Ward, Hainault’s two-up team specialists, took sixth place in the veterans team event recording a time of 25:40.

The solo event was won by Richard O'Rourke of Flitch Crono-www.flitchbikes.co.uk with a time of 21:44 while the veterans team event was won by Richard Glover & Colin Bunnet for Cambridge C.C./ Kings Lynn C.C. in 25:08.

The following day it was an early morning start for the Hainault as four riders raced on the E2/25 course near Newmarket. Taking part in the VTTA 25 mile time trial for veterans (over 40 year old) Howard Staunton faired best of the Hainault racers to gain himself a top ten place and a personal best time of 55:08.

Mark Steers also claimed a PB as the next best Hainault rider stopping the clock in 57:37. Rob Dulson was happy with his ride of 58:16 as his form continues to improve. Just a handful a seconds behind was former Club Champion, Paul Gee, with a terrific ride, recording 58:23.

Meanwhile, Ian Short was competing in the SPOCO (sporting courses) 22 mile time trial promoted by the Essex Roads CC. On the E22/22 course near Heybridge Short continued his run of fast rides this time gaining himself a place on the podium coming in third and a time of 51:28.

He later said: “It was a very twisty course with a few hills to contend with but overall it was fun!”. Paul Smith of PCA Ciclos Uno won the event in 48:59.