ANDOVER Wheelers got a season's busy programe underway recently with a series of evening club events and the first of the season's majors - the 25 Medium Gear Chahmpionship - with Jake Prior clocking a winning 59:07s, with Mick Risdale second in 1:07:21s and Nick Adnitt third in 1:09.26s.

In the first of the club's midweek evening club events Prior was again the fastest on the night with 19:51s over the 8.7 mile course covering Monxton, Grateley and Kentsborough, with Phil Jacobs putting early season road races to good use when finishing just two seconds behind for second spot.

Simon Foster and Lee Gardner riding a mountain bike tandem were pleased with their time of 20:55s and anonother local rider showing early form was Martin Patterson with 21:07s, just edging out Stuart Thompson with 21:31. Club newcomer Eric Wilcox had a good debut ride with 23:39s

Other times; Jason Eady 22:24s; John Martin 23:03s; Nick Adnitt 23:05s; Barry Plank 23:33s; Richard Cudlip 23:37s; Mick Risdale 23:45s; Alan Coles 23:47s; Mike Taylor 23:58s; Martin Hudson 24:31s; Barrie Foster 25:40s; Rikky Brown 25:46s; Paul Welch 26:05s; Ken May 26:08; Alison Hartnell 26:28s; Jane Pattinson 26:47s; Liz Yates 29:04; and in his first ever race 13-year-old Charlie Adnitt 35:25s.

The following week saw the riders back in action over the same course. A light wind provided some quicker times with Neil Coleman the fastest of the night with in 19:15s - just 22 seconds ahead of tandem pairing of Simon Foster and Lee Gardner with 19:37s. Jake Prior was the next home in 19:56s, a fine effort after completing his fireman's fitness test earlier in the day.

Stuart Thompson improved by a large margin to finish in 20:52s but the biggest improvers were Charlie Adnitt who went 1:9s faster to clock 34:16s whilst Alison Hartness was one minute up with 25:58s and Liz Yates with 28:22s - a 42s improvement.

Other times; Martin Pattinson 21:11s; Eric Wilcock 21:27s; Jason Eady 22:09s; John Martin 23:03s; Barry Plank 23:16s; Mick Risdale 23:16s; Richard Cudlip 23:31s; Alan Coles 24:05s; Barrie Foster 25:23s; Rikky Brown 25:26s; Paul Welch 25:28s; Jane Pattinson 26:49s.

The next evening event saw the riders on their popular 10 mile course from Thruxton to Andover and back. With a good westerly wind it was fast out but the riders found it very tough on the return leg. Fastest on the night again was the Andover-based VC ST Raphael rider Neil Coleman in 20:26s followed again by the tandem of Foster and Gardner with 20:49s. Jake Prior got the better of Phil Jacobs in what looks to be developing into a healthy rivalry for the season with his 21:31s to Jacob's 21:49s. Next Wheeler home was Eric Wilock with a time of 23:02s. Other times; Mick Risdale 24:15s; Jason Eady 24:32s; Nick Adnitt 24:49s; John Martin 24:49s; Barry Plank 25:08s; Martin Hudson 25:47s; Alison Hartnell 26:50s; Jane Pattinson 28:10s; Liz Yates 30:08s.

In the latest evening 10 mile event Neil Coleman was again quickest with 20.27 but Simon and Lee were closer this time with 20.38. Jake was next with 21.30 to tie with Phil and only on close examination of the timing system showed that Jake had pipped him again by just 0.68 of a second! Eric Wilcock improved again to beat the 23 minute barrier with 22.57 followed by Mick Risdale with 23.33. Liz Yates beat the 20mph barrier in only her second attempt at the distance with 29.39s.

Other times; Nick Adnitt 24.09; Barry Plank 24.31; John Martin 24.39; Mike Taylor 24.59; Alison Hartnell 26.29; Ken May 27.45.