Four racers from the Hainault Roads Club took part in Saturday’s ten mile time trial promoted by the Eastern Counties Cycling Association on the famously quick E2 course near Newmarket.

Despite forecasts of light winds the riders faced a gusting headwind on the five mile outward leg. Veterans Mark Steers and Howard Staunton managed to take advantage of the strong tailwind on the return half to clock times of 21.14 and 21.44 respectively. Former club champion Paul Gee wasn’t far behind when he stopped the clock in 23.30. But the true champions of the day were brothers Matthew and Patrick Smith. As junior members of the club, both in their first season, this was their debut ‘open’ race with Pat still having not broken the golden ‘evens’ time of 30 minutes for a ten mile TT. Matthew pulled off a terrific ride and came home with a time of 27.59 slashing his personal best by almost a minute and a half. Patrick battled hard with the wind but dug deep to produce the best ride of his life when he crossed the line in 29.50 and finally broke the 30 barrier whilst knocking a massive two and a half minutes from his PB.