With the proceedings opening at 7.30am, it was an early start for most and the chill air and fog made for an interesting ride.

About 280 riders completed three laps of the challenging circuit.

The first Welland Valley rider off, was Bryan Marshall, who completed the course in a time of 33.26. Matt Plews was next off, completing in 32:47. Claire Waterfield and Jill Postlethwaite were riding in the women’s event and having had later starts, benefited from sunny conditions. Waterfield stopped the clock at 37:22 and her clubmate on 26:06.

The winner of the women’s event was British time trial champion Julia Shaw, in 30:59. In the men’s event, there was only going to be one winner, barring any mishaps, and that was another British titleholder, Michael Hutchinson, with a time of 26:51.

The first round of the Welland Valley Club Championship, postponed in March due to flooding on the course, was re-run on Sunday. The riders were greeted by sunshine this time but faced the prospect of riding up Farndon Hill and Naseby Hill during the 13.2-mile time trial.

The fastest rider on the day was David Clarke, recording a time of 35:06, gaining further points in his quest to be club champion. Second was Gavin Hinxman with 36:09.

A rider who has been showing some late season form is Chris Hyde and he was pleased with his effort, finishing with 37:19. On this occasion Ian Waterfield lost out in the personal tussle with Hyde tussle, stopping the clock on 38:11 for fourth. Completing the top five was Mitch James in a time of 38:34.

Linda Hubbard put in a sterling performance to knock two minutes off her previous best time around the course.

The final round of the LVRC Percy Stallard Series was held on Sunday morning at Henley on Thames.

Phil Rayner, of Welland Valley CC, went into the event knowing that fourth place or higher in his age group would secure him an overall victory.

With the racing tense and with the main contenders watching each other, Rayner was content to let a two-man break go clear, knowing that they were no threat to his overall propects.

Rayner went clear with another rider, and the two worked together, staying clear of the bunch. The rider with Rayner was from his age group, but didn’t pose a threat overall and with a sprint for the line, Rayner took second spot knowing that the overall victory was in the bag.

The next Welland Valley event is the annual Club Hillclimb, which is the last round of the club championship, on October 12 at Drayton and Medbourne.

Intrepid Welland duo John and Gaye Taylor tackled one of the world’s toughest cyclo-cross race as they survived the 46th Three Peaks race in North Yorkshire.

The famous race covers 61 kilometres and takes in the peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent.

The husband and wife were competing in the event for the first time, with John covering the distance in 4hrs 49mins.