PERSHORE'S Rob Wood was the top county rider when he finished third in the Beacon Roads Cycling Club's annual Little Mountain Time Trial.

Based around Great Witley in Worcestershire, the difficult 39-mile event attracted racers from all over the country who set themselves against the fearsome climbs of Stanford Bank and Ankerdine Hill.

In glorious spring sunshine, just two minutes separated the top three. Preston Wheelers' multiple national champion Gethin Butler took first place in one hour 36 minutes 35 seconds, beating Matt Bottrill of De Rosa RT by just over a minute.

Wood, of Pershore's Echelon Cycles club, was third in 1hr 38mins and 26secs.

Numerous local riders posted impressive performances.

Bill Moore (1hr 42mins 30 secs); Dave Barnes (1hr 44 mins 17secs) and Paul Prince (1hr 48mins 52secs) secured for Wyre Forest the team prize, despite determined ef-forts by both the promoting club and Echelon.

Best of the women was Ruth Eyles who continued her dominant form, completing the course in 1hr 53mins 51secs.

Top ten finishers of the 108 cyclists were: 1 Gethin Butler (Preston Whlrs) 1:36:35; 2 Matthew Bottrill (De Rosa RT) 1:37:44; 3 Rob Wood (Echelon Cycles) 1:38:26; 4 Daniel Soltys (Wrekinsport CC) 1:39:10; 5 Barry Charley (Parker Inter-national) 1:39:12; 6 Gavin Pou-part (Echelon Cycles) 1:40:06; 7 Bill Moore (Wyre Forest CRC) 1:42:30; 8 Dave Griffths (Para-mount CRT) 1:42:47; 9 Mick Donnelly (Stourbridge CC) 1:43:52; 10 David Barnes (Wyre Forest CRC) 1:44:17.