JAMES Griffith has stretched his lead at the top of Ludlow Cycling Club’s Ludlow Brewing Company-sponsored time-trial league standings.

Griffith, from Ludlow Cycling Club, achieved a fast time in the ninth round of the season, winning the event in 23:38s over the Leominster South 10-mile course.

His average speed amounted to 25.97mph, while Epic Cycles’ Chris Lines was the runner-up, finishing 16 seconds behind.

Steve Minton took third spot and Stuart Austin returned to action after injury with a credible time of 25:09.

Ludlow Brewery’s Gary Walters and Chris Davies were in fourth and 11th respectively, leaving the brewery bragging rights to Walters.

Griffith now tops the league by 35 points from Clancy Wilson who came a disappointing fifth in last week’s ninth round.

Previously, Griffith had consolidated his lead in the league with a fast time of 58:51s time over the Leominster 25mile course.

He had taken part two days earlier in a 50-mile SCCA County Championship with a time of 1:59:31s.

Minton (Ludlow CC) and Mike Amery (VC Sevale) also broke the one hour mark with Clancy coming in fourth.

The league is running an event tonight (Thursday) on the Leominster South Course in conjunction with Hereford Wheelers.

League spokesman Andrew Alston, from Ludlow Brewing Company, said: “Times for this event will be quicker than a single rider because both riders take a turn at the front resulting in faster times. “

All those interested in taking part or joining with the Sunday Club runs or time trials with Ludlow Cycling Club, log on to: ludlow.cc.org.uk for further details.