THE competition is hotting up in the series of Thursday evening time trials organised by Alton Cycling Club/Owens Cycles on the H10/8 A31 bypass 10-mile course.

The previous week (May 3) saw unattached rider Keir O’Donnell record 21mins 06secs to pip Farnham Triathlon Club’s Dom Brooks on 21-37 for first place.

Last Thursday (May 10), in ideal conditions, with little breeze, both improved their times, while the roles were reversed. Brooks was fastest this time with a 20-50, ahead of O’Donnell who clocked a new personal best of 20-54.

Mark Taylor of VC Meudon was third fastest with his 21-27.

Four Alton riders took part and Iain Cotton was again top of the pile, recording an identical time to the previous week, 23-37.

Shaun Blow lost a couple of seconds on last week with 24-01. Junior member Hamish Kuperus demonstrated his improving form with a personal best 24-33 and Charlie Williams completed the home quartet with 24-54.

Although absent this time, James Allen still heads up the Alton club handicap table on 13 points, ahead of Kuperus (8) and Williams (7).

Third behind O’Donnell and Brooks in the May 3 time trial was Pete Younghusband (21-50), making it three top-three finishes in a row for the Petersfield Triathlon Club rider.

Of the five Alton members taking part, Iain Cotton was quickest with 23-37, followed by James Allen (23-58), Shaun Blow (23-59), Charlie Williams (25-30) and Gary Hodgson (30-16.

Twenty riders took part, with Dick Weatherbed and Eddie Stevens holding the stopwatches and pushing off.