Delhi 2010 hopefuls smash PBs

JAMES McLAUGHLIN and Ann Bowditch picked up valuable Commonwealth Games qualification points at the weekend with huge personal bests.

Competing in the Ogmore Valley Wheelers 25-mile Time Trial in south Wales, McLaughin, 18, and his mentor Bowditch were mixing it with the top testers in the UK in one of the biggest 25-mile time trials of the season.

The Sarnian pair have their sights firmly set on riding in next year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi and they did their chances no harm.

'We were pleased to get some Commonwealth Games points,' said Bowditch (pictured). 'It was important that James got off the mark.

'It was nice to get some good times as well. It was a good weekend.'

There were mixed feelings over the conditions among the riders as the day was warm, which is beneficial to fast times, but they were hit by strong crosswinds.

However, some fast times were recorded with Bowditch and McLaughlin setting new off-island records over the distance.