Ross and Luke back on the Podium

One of the newest courses in the country,the F11-10 Course on the A41 near Tring quickly shot to legendary status after it was created in 2010 on account of its 'ski slope' start which has helped many a chrono rider produce a personal best.

Consequently, the field for Saturday's Hemel Hempstead Open 10 looked more akin to a National Championship than a regional open.

Our two senior chronomen did not have PB's in mind. Ross is fighting back after more than a month out of training due to his car collision, and Luke has only clocked around 6 weeks' training due to doctor's orders.

Ross at the Hemel Open 10, click on the pic and see the water flying everywhere! Thanks again to Dave Jones

They are both determined, however, to get the best possible out of the 2nd half of the season. Undeterred by the monsoon-like conditions, they took to the start line and made the best they could out of a foul day.

In 31st place, Ross finished in 20:31 while Luke was further down in 20:57

"Not a great day for us,"said Luke. "I think it  was a case of getting round, seeing how the legs felt and getting some feedback from the legs under pressure."

He may have had today in mind, because the pair bounced back this morning at the Hemel Hempstead 25. In particular, Luke bit back at Ross from yesterday's defeat with a time of 55:08 for 2nd place with Ross on 55:50 for 3rd.

"There are still plenty of races left," said Ross afterwards. "I'm still a way off last year's form, but we're on the up for sure."

Full results of the Hemel Open 10 here and the Hemel Open 25 here

Honourable mention goes to John Lacey, our Road Racer, who TT's for Hemel. Riding the same 2 events, he managed 20:23 in the 10 and 56:50 in the 25. Not bad at all; perhaps even more impressive considering he actually organised the 25!