A bevy of winners of 2017 time trials met head-to-head in the Stowmarket & District “Ten” at Rougham – but it was a mountain biker who came out top of the pile.

East Anglian Daily Times: Stowmarket runner-up Lloyd Chapman from Martlesham. Picture: FERGUS MUIRStowmarket runner-up Lloyd Chapman from Martlesham. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

Newmarket electrician Jason Bouttell had only ridden his time-trial bike once in the previous month, but he exited the turn complex at Woolpit 25 seconds up on David McGaw (Cambridge CC) and gained a further ten seconds by the finish at Rougham where he set a new course record of 18:55.

Third at the turn was Lloyd Chapman, undefeated in time trials since last year’s national championship, 28 seconds down on Bouttell.

By the finish however Chapman had overhauled McGaw to finish second in 19:30. This despite Chapman having come fifth in town centre racing in Shrewsbury the previous evening and having a softening front tyre towards the end of the Stowmarket event.

Prolific time-trial winner prolific Matthew Senter (VeloVelocity) was fourth on 19:40 while all-rounder Ollie Jones (Team OnForm) was the last rider inside 20 minutes, on 19:54.

East Anglian Daily Times: West Suffolk Wheeler Richard Carrington won the Vets 40-49 category at the Stowmarket Ten. Picture: FERGUS MUIRWest Suffolk Wheeler Richard Carrington won the Vets 40-49 category at the Stowmarket Ten. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

Overnight rain cleared well before the start leaving a humid atmosphere and a light wind that helped competitors a little on the return leg.

In the age categories Richard Carrington (West Suffolk Wheelers) was top of the 40-49ers finishing in 21:50, holding a two second advantage over Ipswich rider Ant Birt from the turn to the finish.

The 50-59 age group leaders were actually faster than this - category winner Simon Daw (Velo Schils) putting in a recent best of 21:14 and finishing just two seconds faster than Bob Watson (Team Bottrill).

There were no such narrow margins among the women – the promoting club’s Verity Smith took the win in 22:29 from Jen Smart (23:53)

East Anglian Daily Times: Woodbridge rider Ollie Jones was fifth at Stowmarket, as well as a winner at the Eagles Crits. Picture: FERGUS MUIRWoodbridge rider Ollie Jones was fifth at Stowmarket, as well as a winner at the Eagles Crits. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

Traditionally the first rider off in a time trial is a member of the promoting club – who can then substitute for any missing marshal.

It is rare for them to have to act in this capacity, but it happened in the Stowmarket event where Paul Moss was the hero who saved the day at the Woolpit turn.

At the Woodbridge Saturday Criteriums Frank Longstaff and George Wood worked well together to dominate the senior race, Wood attacking early and soon being joined by Colchester rider Longstaff.

A strong wind was blowing across the former US airbase and this, together with the tight corners, gave an advantage to small well organised groups, and these two young Richardsons/Trek teammates stay away.

Woodbridge rider Ollie Jones (Team OnForm) was briefly with them, but though dropped, earned praise from Andy Lyons, manager of the rival Richardsons team, for a determined lone ride to secure third place.

Veteran Chelmsford rider Lyons himself took fourth spot after escaping off the front of the bunch with young riders Michael Parry and Josh Aiken.

In the race for third and fourth cat competitors Andy Proffitt (Ipswich BC) knew how to use the crosswind to advantage when he was in a leading group with Chris Crabtree (LCUK), Peter Blenkinsop (Fast Test) and Mark Powell.

Proffitt got in the downwind gutter and went for it. Following riders could not get n his slipstream without going on the grass, and the IBC man escaped to a solo win.

Cycle Club Sudbury’s Grand Tour de Stour Audax was just that – visiting Harwich at the mouth of the River Stour and then following it all the way to the source near Wratting. Such a route might sound easy – but crossing the valleys of tributary streams makes it a matter of short sharp descents and climbs.

Throw in a hailstorm that left roadside verges covered in both hailstones and leaves battered off the hedgerows and riders who completed the 209 kilometres had a right to feel great satisfaction.

At the Eagles Evening Crits at Woodbridge airfield Freddie Grover (Fast-Test) was Under 16 winner while Ollie Jones took the senior race aheadof Dougal Toms, Lloyd Chapman and James Jobber.

Results – Stowmarket & District 10, Thurston: 1 Jason Bouttell (VeloVelocity) 18:55, 2 Lloyd Chapman (Catford CC/Banks) 19:30, 3 David McGaw (Cambridge CC) 19:36, 4 Matthew Senter (VeloVelocity) 19:40, 5 Ollie Jones (Team OnForm) 19:54, 6 Ben Benyon (Pedal Revolution) 21:02, 7 Simon Daw (Velo Schils) 21:14, 8 Robert Watson (Team Botterill) 21:16, 9 Gareth Davies (CC Ashwell) 21:18, 10 Ben Keeley (VeloVelocity) 21:25. Women: 1 Verity Smith (Stowmarket & District) 22:29 2 Jen Smart (VC Norwich) 23:53, 3 Janet Bassett (CC Ashwell) 24:10.