Friston rider James Dear knew he would be facing a top field when he entered the annual North Road Hardriders time trial in Hertfordshire.

But he got a surprise when he received the programme and found many of the UK's top riders had entered the 22-mile event.

It was won by the world track points champion Chris Newton (Corima).

The Scunthorpe rider, just back from a World Cup track meeting in Moscow, stormed round the hill course in 51min. 3sec.

International rider Julian Ramsbottom (Race Scene) was second in 51min.34sec. Third was former British champion Gethin Butler (Preston Wheelers) in 52min.0sec.

Dear (In Gear) did well to achieve a top ten placing in such a high quality field.

He finished ninth in 54min.23sec. This weekend he will be up against more stiff competition in the East Surrey time trial.

Hampshire rider Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles) clocked 44min.58sec to repeat his 2002 win in the Redhill CC hill time trial over a 19. 5-mile course near Dorking.

Brighton rider John Limpus (GS Stella) clocked 48min.29sec, which was ten seconds faster than his winning time in 2001, but he was disappointed to find it was only good enough for seventh place this time.

Limpus says he will be aiming for a top three place in the Liphook Cycles 21-mile event this weekend.

Only one UK amateur failed a random drug test last year and that was because his above normal levels of testosterone were found to be occurring naturally. However, riders are again advised to check the list of banned substances in their national handbooks before taking any over-the-counter medicines or health supplements.

The Sussex season gets into full swing on Sunday with the East Sussex CA Hardriders' time trial.

Brighton's Mike Coyle (VC Etoile) has the best past record but Hastings rider Steve Geran (VC Bayeux) has already had some promising warm-up rides in the GS Stella and Central Sussex time trials.

Other riders who should do well include Geran's clubmate Nick Rudkin, Tim Holmes (Brighton Mitre), Alan Rolfe (Eastbourne Rovers) and Mike Murray (Brighton Excelsior). The 16.5-mile event through the lanes north of Herstmonceux starts from Bodle Street green at 10am.