SPRIGHTLY 74-year-old veteran Alan Colburn led Stourbridge CC-Parker International/WRAP/A&H to victory in the Veteran Time Trial Association National Team Championship.

He braved wet and windy conditions to finish third in the individual race with his finishing time of 24 minutes 15 seconds giving him an impressive +9.03.

With multi-national champ Roger Iddles producing a 21.41 ride for a +8.21 and Tony Taylor finishing with a +7.47 (22.01), Stourbridge were the convincing winners.

Colburn's bronze medal helped Stourbridge to their first VTTA team title since the competition was introduced to the racing calendar back in 1977.

Colburn, who lives on the outskirts of Worcester, has been a member of Stourbridge for three years. He starts training every year in November, building up to a maximum of three or four hours and averaging around 12 hours a week.

He competes every week during racing season, taking part in a range of events from 10 miles up to 50.

This year he has finished two veterans' series -- winning his age group in one and ending up as outright winner in the WE Jones Cup.

"This year I have competed in 24 events and won seven veterans' events. I've also had three second places and five third places," said Colburn.

Away from racing, the active veteran is a keen photographer. He gained his LRPS (Licentiate Royal Photographic Society) three years ago. Before retiring, he worked for Worcester City Council in environmental health. He still works part-time to subsidise his racing and his pet Schnauzers.

Despite his hectic lifestyle, he is already planning ahead for next year.

"You don't stop doing things because you're getting old, you get old because you stop doing things," said Colburn.