Cycling: Ben Nicholson, of Interbike, seized third place and ten valuable points in the Eastern Road Race League 45 mile race at East Hanningfield.

Ben Nicholson, of Interbike, seized third place and ten valuable points in the Eastern Road Race League 45 mile race at East Hanningfield.

On a hard, windy morning, Phil Hargreaves (VC Norwich) was in a breakaway on the first of four laps. By the second lap Nicholson and eventual winner Neil Franklin joined them and with one lap to go seven more bridged the gap from the bunch. Nicholson led through the last corner, but Franklin and Farrow of the Eagle RC overwhelmed him in the dash to the line, where Hargreaves took seventh.

At the Velo Club Norwich/Fitt Signs prize presentation, George Turner and Laura Robinson took most of the time trial awards. Kevin Woodruff, Phil and Peter Hargreaves won the road race trophies, while Neil Stevens was cyclo-cross and MTB champion. The club is noted for its Sunday club rides, which start outside sponsor Fitt Signs' premises in Pitt Street Norwich at 9.30am each Sunday. Keen newcomers are welcome.

In the BMX East Anglia Spring Classic it was older riders and machines that dominated the day. The biggest class at the Braintree venue was that for 'Old Skool' bikes of the 1980s, curved frames, chrome, frame padding and all. The best results for Norwich Flyers members came from Alan Hill who pulled a foot out of a pedal at the start of the Masterclass final, but came though on the last straight to win and Tim Gregory, winner of the 40+ Cruisers. Adi Warden, back on 20” wheels after a spell on cruisers, rounded the last berm foot out, speedway style, to take second in 30+ men.

BMX cannot quite yet match timetrialling for the venerability of the competitors - at the Haverhill Hilly organiser and 70th birthday boy Ted Jackson put up prizes for competitors who out did him in age - and found seven takers. The outright fastest ride was by 50 year-old Ian Cammish (Planet X) whose 46:15 ride on a bright, breezy morning was just one second faster than Glenn Taylor (API) followed by Peter Balls (West Suffolk Whs 46:30) Mark Solley (Diss & District, 46:39) and off-course excursionist David Staff (Anglia Velo, 46:42).