THE 54th annual Nelson Wheelers promotion of the Circuit of the Dales last Sunday lived up to its Classic status in cycle racing circles with one of the closest results for some years.

Overall winner for the seventh time was Preston-based Gethin Butler, pictured, with a time 18 seconds outside of the two hour mark.

However, this year he was pushed hard by British time trial best all-rounder Kevin Dawson, who was one and a half minutes behind, and British road race series winner John Tanner a further minute slower over the 51-mile course.

East Lancs riders performed well and particularly those in the veteran categories.

Blackburn's Billy Rodgers, who competes in the colours of the Rossendale Road Club, was best Vet 40 plus with 2hr 9min 51sec ride and 1990 event winner Peter Greenwood of Burnley and the Clayton Velo Cycling Club, who is now in the Vet 50 plus category, completed the course in 2hr 10min 16sec.

The Blackburn and District CTC trio of Dave Collinge (2h 11m 07s), Ian Stott (2h 11m 43s) and Carl Helliwell (2h 15m 06s) were second best team but could not beat the Preston Wheelers squad led by Butler.

Next Sunday the main time trial in the country will be the Booth's Supermarkets Grand Prix around one 25-mile lap of the roads around Lake Windermere.

Many of our local riders in the Dales event will be riding this major race where Butler will go off last rider at 10am from the Lakeside at Bowness in a field of more than 130.

Another event on Sunday next, and much closer to home at Bolton-by-Bowland, is the Pendle Forest Road Race promotion for junior plus third and fourth category riders.

Organiser Margaret Roper has only received 25 entries for this race and any local British cycling racing licence holders in the above categories are welcome to enter the event on the day.