AN open time trial near Banbury saw four Worcester St John’s riders compete for the first time this season.

Seventy-two cyclists took on the blustery 23-mile course at Wroxton with strong winds hampering the competitors on the outward leg.

They also had to tackle a 16 per cent rising hill towards the sun with a hairpin bend halfway up.

Martin Lines was the fastest St John’s rider in 59 minutes 22 seconds, while Dave Walker did one hour two minutes nine seconds in a similar time to last year. Martin Staines clocked 1.03.13 and Dave Preece 1.06.54.

The winner was Tejvan Pettinger, of the Sri Chinmoy team, in 52.26.