AMONG some very good performances by local riders in cycle races across the country over the weekend, Ian Stott of Clayton le Moors and Blackburn and District CTC, rode what his father Tony claimed was his best ride ever in the Bob Swailes Memorial Road Race near Kendal on Sunday.

In torrential rain, which resulted in the organisers reducing the originally planned 90 miles, Ian was only just off the pace of some of Britain's top riders when he took an outstanding sixth position behind winner Mark Lovatt, who was followed home by big names John Tanner, Gethin Butler, Kevin Dawson, Tim Buckle then Ian Stott.

On Saturday Fraser Snape of the North Lancs RC clocked an excellent time of 56mins 14secs for second place in a 25 mile event in Cheshire, beaten only by a course record ride from Preston's Gethin Butler in 52.07.

Fraser's club mate Dave Hargreaves of Blackburn was awarded first place in the 55-59 year old category in an LVRC road race over 33 miles in Staffordshire on Sunday.

Also on Sunday in the National Championship 25 mile time trial held in the Lake District, John Morgan of Hoghton was best of several local riders when he produced a personal best of 54.36 behind the winner's 30mph time of 49.13 from new champion Stuart Dangerfield of Walsall.

FRASER Snape of Simonstone and the North Lancs Road Club improved on his own course record when he clocked 21mins 19secs for the 9.4 mile Rossendale Road Club promotion at Accrington on one of the better Tuesday evenings for weather this year.

However, the rapidly improving Billy Rodgers of the Rossendale club pushed him close with 21.33 with the next two places going to Paul Warrener (22.44) and Simon Bartram (22.55) both of the organising club.

On the Thursday evening Snape took an unaccustomed beating in his own club's ten mile promotion near Clitheroe when Darwen's Dave Collinge of Blackburn and District CTC clocked 23.32, just three seconds better than the Road Club rider.

Third place went to Accrington's Ken Holden with 25.08 and newcomer to the sport, Vinnie Riding of Blackburn, improved to 25.13 for fourth slot.

On the same evening at Thornton in Craven, in the Pendle Forest Cycling Club ten mile promotion, one of their own members, Simon Phillips, came out top with 23.31, beating the 25.52 of Peter Haigh of Nelson Wheelers while Kevin Whitehead and Gary Abbott of the promoting club were third and fourth with 26.00 and 26.28.