Mike Coyle made a flying start to his season with victory in the Sussex CA time trial at Handcross.

Coyle (VC Etoile) covered the hilly 22.8-mile course in 57mins 13secs to finish 70 seconds ahead of Londoner Tim Stevens (34 Nomads). Kingston rider Stewart Jardine (21st Century Airports) was third (58mins 25secs).

Mark Jones (GS Stella), from Storrington, came fourth in 58mins 31secs and he won the veterans' handicap, beating his target time by nearly three and a half minutes.

Worthing riders Steve Geran (GS Stella) and Roger Smith (VC Etoile) were fifth and sixth.

Portslade'sAndy Payne, who was ninth, completed GS Stella's winning team while another of their riders, Nikki Treacy, won the women's race in 1hr 8mins 41secs).

There was a special prize for the fastest rider to cover the first mile of the course, the tough climb from Staplefield to Handcross.

Hastings rider Peter Tadros (In Gear) was quickest in 2mins 51secs, but he got a puncture at halfway and failed to finish.

The award should have gone to Coyle who was second fastest up the climb, but he sportingly allowed Tadros to keep the prize.

Coyle said: "I didn't ride in the early season events so I was pleased to get off to a winning start. I am having a new bike built and it should help me go a bit faster."

Steve Geran, last year's winner, rides in the East Sussex Hardriders event on Sunday along with team-mates Mark Jones and Andy Payne.

Also in the field of 71 are Clive Oxborrow (VC Etoile), Mike Murray (Brighton Excelsior) and Tristan Court (Brighton Mitre).

The 16-mile event, first held in 1947, starts from Bodle Street Green at 10am.

Coyle and East Grinstead's Steve Dennis are among a star-studded field for the 30-mile East Surrey Hardriders time trial at Reigate on Sunday.