COLCHESTER Rovers promoted their Open 47-mile time trial (TT) on Sunday on the E22/47 course south of Colchester.

It was clearly a day for quick times, particularly for riders off early as the wind rose as the morning went on, accompanied by rain in the closing stages for the later riders.

The fastest time was recorded by Colin Ward, of Essex Roads CC, a phenomenal one hour 44 minutes 44 seconds, followed by former Rover Richard Price, now riding for London Phoenix CC, some three minutes back.

Price was a teenage member of the club back in the early 1990s.

Top current Rover on the day was Adrian Manley in eighth place on 1h 55m 49s, a personal best on the course. Behind him, Giles Askham landed 15th with his 2h 2m 12s, an impressive ride in his first TT of more than 30 miles.

Other Rovers on the day were Robert Wood (2h 4m 12s), Tony Shepherd (2h 22m 6s) and Colin White (2h 57h 51s).

The latest club midweek TT was held on the ten-mile course at Langham.

Justin Homewood dominated with another fine ride of 21m 54s, followed by Stuart Weatherley on 22m 56s. First female rider home was Debra Peck with 27m 44s, with Laura Mansel-Thomas second at 29m 10s. There were strong rides from junior riders too, with Dan Hall first Rover on 32m 31s, with Dexter Mansel-Thomas, now riding for Lee Valley Youth, scoring 27m 58s.

The midweek series has three races to go, at Layer, Tendring and Peldon.

At this stage, only one of the in-house competitions have been decided, with results pointing to a to-the-wire decider for the other competitions at the series closer at Peldon.

It has been rare in the 30-year history of the midweek series that three of the four competitions have still to be decided by this point in the season and an exciting finale is guaranteed.