Velo Club Etoile (Lancing) have shown strength in depth this year.

Worthing rider Chris McNamara rode well in many top-class road races and he won the final stage of the Surrey three-day event and also finished third in the Sussex and Southern Counties Road Race Championships.

He also occupied the same position in the East Grinstead CC's race and the Tour of Cranborne Chase.

Richard Sutton won the Lewes Wanderers Road Race and his many placings in time trials included a second in the Southern Counties 25, third in Brighton Excelsior's 25 and fourth in Worthing Excelsior's 25.

Mike Kingsbury, Carl Whitaker and Clive Oxborrow all recorded under-the-hour times in 25-mile events while Steve Bramwell and John Denman won several track races at Preston Park.

Roger Smith finished third in the Sussex Hill-Climb Championship at Storrington, while Martin Butcher and Phil Wise had top ten placings. Prospective members should contact Peter Scarsbrook at 01903 872052.

East Grinstead lost one of its big-hitters Steve Elms to In Gear (Uckfield) at the start of the year but still enjoyed a successful season.

Steve Dennis won a number of events including the East Sussex Hardriders Time Trial, Brighton Mitre's hilly 25-mile event and the Worthing Excelsior Road Race. He also finished second in the Sussex 25-mile Championship and the Sussex Road Race.

A new member, James Harris, scored a surprise win in the Sussex Hill-Climb Championship and Angela Nainby was the fastest woman in the East Sussex 10. Tony Horrigan (01342 325340) is the club's membership secretary.

The new road season is just six weeks away.

-Brian Hutton