TWO of St Ives Cycling Club’s top time trial riders contested the biggest event of the year on Sunday when they raced in the British Time Trial Championships.

With the event attracting the country’s top riders, including Olympic champions and continental based professionals, the St Ives team of Luke Hattersley and Mike Hodson knew the competition was going to be tough.

Conveniently based around a Sawtry-Great Gidding circuit, the national championship at least gave the St Ives duo the slight advantage of local knowledge, but this didn’t help Hodson, who finished disappointed with his performance. First on the course in the morning, Hodson raced in the Masters C category which covered one lap of the rolling 20.9 mile circuit. Despite finishing in 47 minutes and 33 seconds - and in ninth place in his category, Hodson – who said his legs “never felt quite right” – believed he should have done better.

Clouds then gathered and it began to rain as Hattersley got into his stride. Riding in the junior category he had the worst of the weather but the youngster didn’t let the rain dampen his performance.

Despite falling foul of the scrutineers at signing-on – and having to make last-minute adjustments to his position – he attacked the course in his usual fluent style and stopped the clock on 48 minutes 37 seconds to clinch 10th.