PAUL GODFREY returned after five weeks away from action to win the seventh race of the Hainault Roads Club s evening tens series. On a blustery night, he rode to his limit to secure the win with a time of 23 minutes and 54 seconds. With a tailwind going

PAUL GODFREY returned after five weeks away from action to win the seventh race of the Hainault Roads Club's evening tens series.

On a blustery night, he rode to his limit to secure the win with a time of 23 minutes and 54 seconds.

"With a tailwind going out I took it a bit easier than usual to save something for the retuning headwind. It was a painful five miles back, but it paid off," he said.

Club champion, Rob Dulson, took second place, less than a minute behind in 24.49, and taking third spot was Paul Gee with a fine ride of 25.13.

Brian Ward was next up with his highest placing of the series recording a time of 27.03. On an evening when most riders were down on their previous times, Dylan Marvelly, riding a new time-trial machine, managed to shed 2.17 from the previous week, as he finished in 28.33.

Kevin Barton took sixth place with 28.33, with Frank McGowan close behind with 29.03, while Elliott Hayward rode hard to record his second best time this year of 29.18 and managed eighth place.

Matthew Smith came ninth in 29.57 and beat Chris Pimm by seconds as he finished in 31.08. Just outside the points was Patrick Smith with 33.15.

One of four private riders, Russell Kober, rode an outstanding race to finish in 21.59 and netted a new course record.

Meanwhile, Hainault fast-man Ian Short was riding the East Anglian CC open 10-mile time-trial in Norfolk.

With strong westerly winds hampering the efforts of the riders, Short still managed to pull off an excellent time of 21.29.

At the VTTA 25-mile TT near Newmarket, six Hainault riders took on the super-fast course.

Howard Staunton powered home with an incredible ride of 54.43, an average speed of 27.4mph for 25 miles.

Next up was Mark Steers, also setting a new best, with his ride of 55.29 and in a time of 59.30, Paul Gee was the next-placed Hainault rider, with Roger Pimm close behind in 59.46.

Brian Ward managed to better his previous best time by one second as he crossed the line in 1:03.27, while Paul Emery took his PB down to 1:06.40.

Ian Short and Rob Dulson also competed at the EDCA 100-mile time-trial near Morley.

The two riders are currently best placed in the Club Champion competition with Short marginally ahead.

Dulson needed a large margin in the race to better his chances in the competition, which takes the best average speeds over distances of 25, 50 and 100 miles.

Riding the best hundred of his life, Dulson powered round the course at an average speed of 25.07mph to cross the line in 3:59.19.

He said: "I am very pleased to have finally broken the four-hour barrier which is a PB by over five minutes."

Short stopped the clock in 4:01.39 and with such a close margin, he is now favourite for the Club Championship.

Gee, meanwhile, rode the ECCA 10-mile time-trial at Tendring and finished in a time of 26:04.