LEADING riders James Griffiths and Steve Minton set a new course record and achieved a dead heat in the Ludlow Brewing Company Time Trial Cycling League.

Griffiths, who was last year’s champion, and Minton clocked the same time of 55 minutes and 42 seconds, at an average speed of 24.56 mph in round five.

The talented duo smashed the old course record in the 22.8-mile Ludlow hilly course, which consists of four laps around Ludlow bypass and loops round to Cayham.

Both riders are setting a searing pace at the moment, with nothing to separate them.

Gary Walters was also broke the old course record and was closely behind the top two.

He achieved third place in 56 minutes 11 seconds, beating his time from last year by more than three minutes.

Jack Stanton-Warren, with an impressive 56 minutes 54 seconds, was the first racer home on the road bikes. He was followed by Paul Chubb and Chris Davis.

The excitement follows on to round six, with the Craven Arms hilly course, which is approximately 11miles.

Griffiths should be in top shape after entering the Welsh Open 25 mile time-trial and finishing in a time of 24 mins and 33 seconds this gave him a top-10 place.

Ludlow Cycling Club’s 10-mile open time trial is taking place this Saturday, starting at 2pm.

The event starts at Ashton and comes up to the roundabout next to the Squirrel pub and finishes just past the Salwey Arms in Woofferton.