BILLY Rodgers, the Blackburn-based racing cyclist who competes for Rossendale Road Club, was the winner of the North Lancs Time Trial Association Combined Clubs 25 mile event at Garstang.

Rodgers clocked 58mins 12secs for the distance which was a fine performance at this early stage of the season.

Out of the 90 entrants for this event, Fraser Snape of Simonstone and the North Lancs Road Club took third place in 59mins 04secs and Stuart Whitehead of Langho and the same club, finished overall fifth in 1:0.5.

Other East Lancs times included Brian Hickey (NLRC) 1:01.35, Peter Briscoe (Clayton Velo) 1:02.38, Martin Smithson (Clayton Velo) 1:03.46, Paul Warrener (Rossendale RC) 1:05.25 whilst Blackburn's Martin Kerry beat is father Frank Kerry of Egerton with 1:02.59 against 1:04.18.

Any local riders entered for the Preston Wheelers 2-up time trial next Sunday should note that the course is changed due to traffic lights on the A6 road and the HQ is now at Catterall Village Hall.

Blackburn and District CTC racing squad were easily the fastest team in 32--mile Lakes and Lancs SPOCO qualifying event.

Overall fastest was Yorkshire rider William Mitchinson in 1:19.56, but Ian Stott of Clayton-le-Moors was in second place with 1:20.05 with Carl Helliwell fourth in 1:20.31 and Dave Ebbrell fifth in 1:20.45.

The Blackburn and District CTC are planning a full day of nostalgia on Sunday, April 13 when they celebrate the 80th birthday of the Blackburn section of the national Cyclists Touring Club.

All present and ex-members are welcome and activities begin at 10am from Whalley Abbey West Gate when a 80 kilometre (50 mile) ride will start. From 3.30pm onwards there will be a buffet with slides and a cine show in Whalley Village Hall and those not up to completing the ride first are welcome to come along and meet old friends. The price for the whole day is a highly subsidised £1 and further information and tickets can be obtained from secretary Anne Stott on 01254 232537 or Ken Hartley on 01254 260601.