ALTON CC/Owens Cycles have been forced to cancel their annual Open 25-mile time trial, scheduled for Sunday, September 3, due to traffic restrictions to be imposed while South-East Water carry out improvement work.

This long-established ‘25’ is one of the few showcase events on the Alton Cycling Club calendar and it draws many highly competitive riders from the time-trial fraternity.

The event normally takes place on the H25/8 A31 course, but club officials and the public at large have only recently become aware of the signs announcing delays and lane closures from August 28 to November 3.

It is too late for this important event to be rescheduled. Road traffic considerations and proper risk assessment means that it has to be planned months in advance. It’s a great disappointment for both the host club and the dozens of riders who have already subscribed that the Alton Open ‘25’ will not happen this year.