EAST Lancashire racing cyclists were again dominant in the on-going Sporting Courses (SPOCO) series with an excellent showing in the Wigan Wheelers 30 mile event on Sunday.

Although the all-conquering Gethin Butler was overall winner in a new course record of 1h 5m 05s, John Morgan of Chorley took second in 1h 7m 57s, Dave Ebbrell of Blackburn and District CTC third in 1h 9m 55s and Stuart Whitehead of the North Lancs Road Club fourth in 1h 10m 42s.

Also in the top 10 were Simon Phillips of the Pendle Forest CC with 1h 10 m 56s for sixth place and Fraser Snape of the North Lancs Road Club just one place lower with 1h 11m 13s whilst fastest lady on the day was Sue Cheetham of Blackburn in 1h 23m 38s.

On the previous day in the 10 mile event, held on the A6 road near Garstang, John Morgan had again took second place in a field of 110 riders with a time of 21m 15s, just 10 seconds behind winner Craig Battersby from Bolton.

Carl Helliwell of Great Harwood, and riding for Blackburn and District CTC, took fifth in 21m 32s beating the 21m 49s of his team-mate Ian Stott of Clayton-le-Moors who claimed sixth overall.

Other East Lancs riders beating the25mph barrier were: Graham Waddington 21m56s, Simon Phillips 22m 03s, Dave Ebbrell 22m 17s, Peter Briscoe 22m 19s, Russell McLean 22m 40s, Paul Warrener 22m 46s, Dave Brown 23m 22s to take the Veteran on Age Standard award, Dave Clough 23m 27s, Vinny Riding 23m 28s and Stephen Wilkinson 23m 54s.

The Thursday evening Pendle Forest 10 mile time trial was won by Dave Metcalfe of the Clayton Velo in 23m 13s.

The Rossendale Road Club are now holding their Tuesday evening events each week at Accrington and the North Lancs Road Club promote each Thursday at Edisford with both starting at 7pm.