John Limpus and Steve Geran just had the edge on East Grinstead CC rivals Steve Dennis and Mark Bashford in the East Sussex CA two-up team time trial.

The GS Stella pair raced round the 23-mile course at Laughton in 55min.10sec to win by 33 seconds.

Worthing twins Chris and Simon McNamara (VC Etoile), last year's winners, tied for third place with Alan Rolfe and Steve Frame, of Eastbourne Rovers, both teams clocking 57min.11sec.

John Double and Mike Abram (Crawley Wheelers) recorded 1hr.5min.28sec to win the veterans' handicap, while the women's event was won by Lisa Griffiths and Helen Carter (Eastbourne Rovers) in 1hr.3min.54sec.

The previous day, Sussex women filled the first three places in the Kingston Phoenix ten-mile event. Angela Nainby (East Grinstead) was fastest in 24min.18sec.

Griffiths was second in 24min.30sec and Carter third in 25min.22sec. Southwater rider Keith Reed (34th Nomads) hit top form to win the Southern Counties 25-mile event at Broadbridge Heath in 54min.44sec.

He will be a leading Sussex challenger in tomorrow's Crawley Wheelers hilly time trial. Former Crawley star Marina Bloom, now riding for Walsall, and Angela Nainby will be among those battling to win the fastest female prize.

The return leg of the 43-mile course includes Small Dole, Cowfold and Crabtree Hill at Lower Beeding. The HQ is Handcross sports pavilion and the first rider starts at 7.30pm.

Brighton Mitre star Tristan Court is in the field for his club's ten mile open time trial at Kirdford on Saturday (3pm).

The visitors are headed by Paul Mill (Team Edwardes) and Stewart Jardine (Twickenham). The Mitre also promote a hilly 25-mile time trial on Monday.

This starts on the road to Devils Dyke, turns at the Shoreham flyover and features a gruelling finish over the last two and a half miles from Poynings to the top of Seddlescombe Hill.

The field includes Steve Dennis, James Dear (In Gear) and Hampshire star Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles). The HQ is Brighton Rugby Club at Waterhall and the first rider sets off at 7.30pm.