THE last of this year's national time trial championships, for the hill climb title, takes place in Yorkshire this Sunday.

It's a race which has remained high on Winchester road man Danny Axford's list of objectives.

Now racing for Oxford University, where he is studying for a postgraduate degree, Axford has improved his prospects of a top ten placing after two outstanding victories in the last fortnight.

He won the one kilometre climb to the top of Streatley Hill in the Berkshire Downs followed by the two-mile haul up Burrington Coombe in the Mendips last Sunday.

His winning margin was nearly 20 seconds in the latter event after covering the long haul to the top in 7m.16.43s.

Although Sunday's national Championship will be the highlight of the short hill climbing season, Axford's main target will be the British Universities Hill Climb Championship taking place in Derbyshire tomorrow.

The steep climb up Baslow Edge will take Axford well above the 1,000 feet contour in the Peak District, but he has raced up this near 1,800-yard long route before and is strongly fancied to win a medal, if not the title.

Cancellation of the Wessex Cyclo-cross League meeting near Ringwood this Sunday leaves local 'cross men with the opportunity of competing in the Westbury Wheelers meeting for the South West League at Longbridge Peverill, near Warminster.

Malcolm Cox (VC St Raphael Waite Contracts), Colin Crocker (Sotonia CC) and Dave Dent (SP Systems Wightlink RT) are among 105 time trialists listed for the final 25-mile race of the season which Brighton Mitre organises at Steyning, West Sussex.

FIXTURES

Saturday:

Alton CTC meet Pamber Heath Village Hall, 10.30am for ride along Berkshire borders.

Sunday:

Alton CTC meet The Butts, 9am Elevenses at Fresham Garden Centre and lunch back in Alton.

Sotonia CC 50 mile reliability ride to Grateley & The Wallops, from Chilworth church, 9am.

Southampton CTC meet Moorgreen Hospital, West End, 9am for morning ride to Alresford.

Winchester CTC meet King Alfred's Statue, 9am for morning ride to Romsey Water Gardens.

Fareham Wheelers meet Titchfield mill, 9am for choice of morning rides.

Thursday:

Mid-Hampshire CF meet for lunch, Binstead, nr Alton, 12.15pm