Farrar celebrates prestigious victory; ANDY TURNER'S ROUND-UP OF ALL THE LOCAL ACTION.

COVENTRY'S Mark Farrar won his 40-44 age category in the Andy Hardy Memorial Road Race organised by North Bucks Road Club.

The 42-year-old CovRide. co.uk rider finished fourth overall, just behind race winner Andy Eagers (Derby Mercury) and two other riders in an uphill sprint to the line at the end of the 42-mile event.

Leamington C&AC's top female rider, Frenchwoman Nadine Mayhew, went close to beating her male compatriot Pierre Guern in the tussle for the club's last time trial championship of the season. Just back from holiday, Mayhew (12-18) produced her best ride of the year to go within three seconds of Guern and would arguably have beaten him had it not been for the fact that she was twice held up by traffic, leaving her forced to settle for the ladies title rather than become overall club champion over the five mile distance.

She did, however, also set a new ladies club record for the distance.

Third overall was John Frydman (12-49) who currently leads the club's season-long best improver competition for the 'Vaughan Trophy'.

The final event in Coventry Road Club's season long circuit series was run in blustery conditions making fast times impossible over the 6.7-mile course at Stoneleigh.

Multiple club record holder Dave Watson fought his way round the circuit in 14-02, well ahead of nearest rival Darren Atkins (14-48) who pipped Richard Howes by a second. The overall circuit series had already been won by Watson but with this final event he took his points tally to a maximum 50 out of 50, while Penny Wilkins (14-58) confirmed her win of the ladies circuit series.

Hinckley CRC brothers Mick and Joe Murray travelled to Newmarket for the early start in the National Veteran's 30-mile time trial Championship.

Having won the age category title in the ten and 25 mile events, Joe was hopeful for a hat-trick but came up against the in-form Rob Weare of Team Midland who reversed the order of the previous events.

Finishing second on standard time in the 40-49 category and sixth overall on actual time, Joe had the consolation of breaking Hinckley CRC's 30-mile club record with his time of 1-06-21, while Mick finished inside the top 20 overall with 1-10-03 Rugby RCC's Marina (1-19-29) and Mike Bloom (1-24-45) also rode the event, as did MI Racing's Mick Ives who teamed up with Vic Haines to win the tandem event in 1-07-36.

MI's Barrie Mitchell clocked 49-06 to win first prize in the age standard class in the Alyesbury 20.5-mile circuit time trial, with team-mate John Bevan second and John Dixon won the Leicester Forest 25 mile time trial on standard with an actual time of 1-03-00.

CAPTION(S):

MAXIMUM... Coventry Road Club fast man Dave Watson confirmed his champions title by taking his haul of points to a maximum 50 out of 50 at Stoneleigh to round off a superb season.