THE Lancashire cycle racing season rolls under way sooner than ever this year when the Rossendale Road Club Open Time Trial is held on a course in the Ribble Valley on Saturday.

Organiser Billy Rodgers of Blackburn has received an encouraging entry of 90 competitors.

Derek Schofield, of the promoting club, will lead off the riders at one minute past two on Saturday afternoon with the rest at one minute intervals. The course starts in Bolton-by-Bowland village and immediately climbs for almost three miles to turn left near Paythorne returning to the starting village via the steep descent and climb of Forest Becks for a total of just over 10 miles.

Seeded riders who will start at 10 minute intervals include several locals including Carl Helliwell and Dave Ebbrell of Blackburn and District CTC, recent accident victim Dave Metcalfe of the Pendle Forest Cycling Club and Chorley's John Morgan who took second place last year.

The following Saturday will see the long-established Clayton Spring Classic road race, followed on the Sunday by the Circuit of Pendle time trial.