WEAVER Valley Cycling Club were represented in the Warrington Road Club ‘4 up’ 25-mile time trial by Sam Taylor, Jeff Wood, Dave Walker and Matt Heath.

The race, based from Allostock near Knutsford, has a reputation for attracting the strongest teams in the area.

The foursome set off strongly, keeping steady around bends, while applying full throttle, often over 30mph, on the straighter sections.

The strategy worked well, until approaching the final lap when Walker punctured.

The other three riders stayed calm and as the final time depends only on the first three riders of any team, they were still able to post an impressive time of 51.51 (average 29 mph), achieving third place overall.

The winners were a team from Manchester Bicycle Club, who crossed the line in 49.40 (average 30.2mph).

Jeff Wood, Matt Heath and John Keen competed in the Nigel Harrop Memorial Road Race based at Lower Withington, on the Siddington circuit.

The race involved three laps of a 10.5-mile rolling circuit and was fast from the gun, with constant attacking in a series of unsuccessful efforts to create a break.

On the last lap, Heath succeeded with Alistair Ribbands from Congleton CC in creating a definitive break, resulting in a win for Ribbands and second place for Heath, while Wood sprinted up the outside of the bunch in the sprint for the line, to come in fourth overall.

John Keen, in an older age group, finished eighth.

Sam Taylor and Emily Martin contested the Burton and District CA 25-mile time trial on their fast out-and-back course near Uttoxeter.

Strong winds put paid to the pair’s ambition to produce PB times, but nevertheless they both performed well, with Martin winning the women’s race in a time of 55.44, almost two minutes faster than second placed Keri Parton of Team Boompods.

Sam finished fifth in 51.59, in a men’s race won by Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC) in 50.12.

Martin’s win followed an impressive success the previous week when she was the fastest female in the VTTA Manchester and North West 25-mile time trial, on roads around Lach Dennis, which she won in 58.46, her time inhibited by strong winds.

Taylor came second in the men’s race, finishing in 54.44, less than a minute short of winner Ribbands (Congleton CC) who finished in 53.39.

Strong performances were also recorded by Carl Hitchenson in 1.07.42 and Stu Ward in 1.02.35.

Four riders competed in the Derek Davenport Memorial Race, organised by Warrington Road Club under TLI auspices.

Lloyd Smith, Jeff Wood and Matt Heath competed in the senior race, with David Cole representing the club in the older age group.

In the senior race, several attempts at breakaways were neutralised by the bunch, leading to a fast bunch sprint deciding the placings.

Heath powered to a win in his age category and fourth overall in the race, while Wood finished sixth in his age category (10th overall). Smith was also sixth in his age category (14th overall), while Cole finished 18th in his age group.

The overall race was won by Conor McKinnon, of Dolan Ellesse Racing Team.

The club’s Guardian Cup Wednesday night 10-mile handicap time trial series has reached its halfway point, with Kevin Davies leading on points overall, but with David Cope and Stu Ward close behind him.

The fastest time in round seven was posted by Jeff Wood, in 22.35.