CHRIS Helliwell upset the odds to beat team-mate Dave Ebbrell to take second place in the second of the Sporting Courses series.

The Blackburn and District CTC rider finished the 10.6 mile course in 25.49 -- just seven seconds behind former national road race champion Dave Cook from the North East.

However, it was Ebbrell who was expected to cross the line first having won the first race of the series, the Tour of Pendle earlier in the month. But the Blackburn and District CTC rider was suffering bike trouble throughout the course and finished third in 26.16.

The event attracted 59 riders from across the North of England and is the second of the 20 Sporting Courses series.

Mark Holton of Ribble Valley CRC, who finished second behind Ebbrell in the Tour of Pendle, was fourth in 26.26.

Craig Battersby of Lancashire Road Club took fifth place in 26.35 with Guy Laycock of Wiswell, riding for Fast Track Racing, was sixth in 26.37. Andy Jackson of Preston Wheelers was seventh in 26.44 with Phil Shallicker of Lancashire RC just behind in 26.57.

Dave Collinge of Blackburn and District CTC was ninth in 27.11 to guide the club to their second team award of the season with Helliwell and Ebbrell making up the successful trio.

Preston Wheeler John Morgan completed the top 10 when he crossed the line in 27.21.

Top veteran rider was Dave Hargreaves of North Lancashire Road Club who finished in 18th place overall in 28.44.