VELO Club Baracchi promoted its annual Beccles Road Race on Sunday, a national event which attracted some of the country's top riders.Club secretary Patrick Harbord commented that it was the fastest race he had ever ridden.

VELO Club Baracchi promoted its annual Beccles Road Race on Sunday, a national event which attracted some of the country's top riders.

Club secretary Patrick Harbord commented that it was the fastest race he had ever ridden.

Its 80-plus miles were run off at an average speed in excess of 26mph.

Given the quality of the field, it was surprising that the race stayed together until near the finish.

Simon Asher and Liam Gentry also rode for the promoting club.

The Chief Commissaire noted Gentry's considerable effort to stay in touch.

Indeed, he was able to move up the field in the closing stages.

Lowestoft rider Joe Skipper (BMC UK Racing Team) hoped to defend his title, with the added incentive of picking up the new perpetual event trophy donated by his father, Ray.

So it was no surprise that he, along with Phil Hetzel (Ipswich BC) and Martin Ford (Private Member) chased down a late attack by Duncan Urquhart (Endura Racing).

Then Ben Price (UK Cycleshops.com) attacked, but was soon engulfed by the bunch, from which Skipper's teammate Adam Norris sprinted to win, followed by another BMC rider Steven Griffiths, with James Makepeace (Wildside 707 RT) finishing third.

It was an efficient and successful promotion by Nick Esser and his team of helpers, benefiting again from excellent support from Suffolk Police.

Skipper had taken part in the televised Tour Series at Milton Keynes on Thursday, riding strongly to finish tenth.

The winner was Graham Briggs (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta).

In time trials, Thompson was the only VCB rider in the Ipswich BC 10 held on the 'humpy' course through Tunstall, turning at Rendlesham.

Despite being baulked, he recorded 28:44. Event winner was James Eman (Anglia Velo) in 22:35.

Tracy Prewer and Thompson rode the same club's 25 on the even 'humpier' two-lap circuit, Prewer having the edge with 1-15:47 to Thompson's 1-16:33.

Event winner was Glenn Taylor (API Metrow) in 58:23.

In Tuesday's Godric CC event the times included Jim Burgess (Anglia Velo) 21:32 (fastest), Gentry 22:38, John Dupen 23:43, George Kerridge 23:50, Asher 23:59, John Swanbury 25:25, Jim Keeble 25:38, Simon Scott 26:06 and John Thompson 28:27.

Top VCB test performance of the week and of the season so far was that of Dupen, who achieved 57:22 in the East Anglian VTTA 25 early on Sunday.