VETERANS outnumber the under-40s by almost two to one in a ten-mile time trial which Salisbury RC stages near Andover today - and the ratio is similar in a race over the distance that Northover Veterans RT organises near Petersfield on Sunday morning.

The situation is the same in a 25-mile race which New Forest CC organises near Ringwood on the same morning, but younger riders held numerical supremacy in the second Hantspol CC road race of the season on the testing Portsdown Hill circuit at Southwick.

The older age group accounts for only a fifth of the 60 entrants in this event, restricted to riders who haven't progressed beyond third category status, and among those hoping to do so before the end of the season are eight Fareham Wheelers, now being sponsored by Speltham Contracts, and an Isle of Wight sextet racing for Vectis Off-Shore Sports CC.

Fastest of nearly 200 time trialists due on the Andover by-pass course tomorrow is Britain's new 50 miles champion, Michael Hutchinson (Team FDT Giant), the Petersfield course record holder who will be aiming to beat the record of 19m.15s set by Sean Yates four years ago.

That's more than a minute faster than any of the 122 veterans have managed, but veterans like 52 year-old Ian Hallam (GS Strada) 64 year-old John Woodburn (Maidenhead CC) and 43 year-old Ray Hughes (Clarence Wheelers) will be hard to beat in the Border CA event.

So too will Eamonn Deane (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) be in the 25 mile race though Chandlers Ford's Mick St Leger (Real Cost Car Imports) and the Southampton triathletes, Julian Jenkinson (Tri UK) and Brian Greensmth (Southampton TC) should make a close race of it.

The weather has been generally kind for the many events forming part of this week's National Festival of Cycling, and Winchester CTC marks its finale on Sunday with a choice of three Winton Rides, comprising quiet 40, 60 and 100-kilometre routes in the surrounding countryside, starting from the Jubilee Hall in Kings Worthy from 9am.

An early call will be needed for a midsummer sunrise ride to Woodhenge tomorrow.

This round trip of 24 miles will leave the Leisure Centre in Salisbury at 3am and return to the city by 9am in plenty of time for a cycling cavalcade and "biknic", leaving the Guildhall Square at 11am.

Free picnic lunches are promised for the first 85 to enrol for this ride, but there is no obligation to join the pre-dawn ride to qualify for this offer!

CYCLING FIXTURES

Saturday

Midsummer Sunrise Ride to Woodhenge, Leisure Centre, Salisbury 3am.

Cycling Cavalcade & Bicknic Guildhall Square, Salisbury 11am.

Salisbury RC 10 Thurxton Down, Andover 3pm

Sunday

New Forest CC 25 Avon Forest Park, Ringwood 7am

Border CA 10 Liss, nr Petersfield 7.30am

Hantspol CC Road Race Southwick, Nr Portsmouth 10am

Winchester CTC Winton Rides from Jubilee Hall, Kings Worthy 9am