A London record of 17 racers lined up for the first AC of the year. Stringer, widely acknowledged to be the fastest in the Big Smoke, had been banned from racing by his boss! Format was point to point with 5 quid primes at all the checkpoints, and tequila slammer checkpoint. Maddest bits: the whole bunch riding the wrong side of Euston Road (just about the widest busiest street in Central London), riding the length of the Kings Cross railway concourse, being chased by security guards and Jeff being threatened by security guards with 1000 pound fine for same. Best bits: the three-up sprint won by Elliott from a few bike lengths back from Barnesy & Julie; Barnesy taking a tow the length of Farringdon Road off a cab; Mack puncturing and taking a cab back to the finish. Verdict: Elliott the undisputed champ.