Raiders from across the border are favourites to win the Sussex CA two-man team time trial on Sunday.

Steve Walkling and Simon Berogna, from leading Hampshire club VC St Raphael, are the final starters in a 45-team field.

Sussex rider Mark Jones (GS Stella) has teamed up with Epsom CC's Mark Sinnott, who in 2001 was the fastest rider in Britain over 30 miles, and some strong all-Sussex teams will challenge for first place.

VC Etoile's Mike Coyle, with two wins to his credit already this year, rides with his clubmate Clive Oxborrow, a former international rider.

Roger Smith and Simon McNamara are another Etoile team with winning potential.

GS Stella's Andy Payne and Steve Woodbridge, the mixed club pairings of John Limpus (GS Stella) and Steve Geran (VC Bayeux), plus Mike Murray (Brighton Excelsior) and Tristan Court (Brighton Mitre) are three more top local entries.

The new Crawley Cycling Club have entered Paul Byford and Paul Carruthers and Crawley Wheelers have two teams.

The best viewing point for spectators on the 27-mile circuit is Houghton Hill, three miles north of Arundel. The teams will start to arrive there from about 8.15am.

There were no open races in the county at the weekend but two Sussex riders were runners-up in races further afield.

Steve Woodbridge finished second in a Surrey League road race at Dunsfold.

His GS Stella clubmate Mark Jones was involved in several breakaway attempts in the main event. The field came together for a mass sprint finish and Jones placed 13th.

Friston rider James Dear (In Gear) finished second in the East Dorset 24-mile time trial at Wimborne.

Dear clocked exactly 57 minutes to finish 33 seconds behind winner Dave Dent, from the Isle Of Wight.

Former Brighton Excelsior rider John Holmes, who was a popular competitor at Preston Park track in the Fifties before he emigrated to South Africa, is back in this country on holiday and would like to meet up again with his old cycling chums.

Excelsior member Brian Leaney (01273 476660) is arranging a get-together for next Monday, March 24.