Lakeland and Lancashire Criterium Championships at Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn

COMEBACK king Sam Dobson announced his return in emphatic style by becoming the Lakeland and Lancashire criterium champion after a thrilling sprint finish.

The Ribble Valley Cycling Club member was first across the line in the 30 mile race around Shadsworth Business Park that culminated with a dramatic seven-man dash for the finish.

It was a remarkable victory for the Preston racer who is only in his second season back after a 10 year lay off. And it upset the form guide as Ed Nicholl, of Brockhall-based Science in Sport Racing team, was the favourite going into the race.

However Nicholl, who finished second behind brother Chris last year, had to settle for third place after being edged out in the race for the line.

Chris Nicholl was unable to defend his title due to illness but attended the championships.

Event organiser Andrew Tabernacle said: "It was one of the tightest finishes we have had for a number of years and any one of the seven riders could have won it. But it was a very good win for Sam Dobson considering he has only been back for two years after a 10 year absence."

Dobson beat Carlisle's Mike Pluckrose, who was racing for Anderson's Racing, into second place with Nicholl in third place. Nicholl's Science in Sport team-mate Martin Calvert finished in fourth place with Ribble Valley's Matt Hodges in fifth place.

At the back of the leading pack were Brian Poole of Borden City Wheelers and Andrew Yates of MK Cycles.

Further down the field, Daniel Shoreman of Accrington-based Eric Burgess Race Team was eighth. Central Lancs Cycling Club rider Darren Young, who finished in third place last year, had to settle for ninth place this time out while Rob Waterhouse of Preston CC was tenth.

The criterium, which is a lapped race on a circuit, attracted more than 40 riders who also took part in a 15 mile warm up race.

The first race, for junior and veteran category two and three riders, was won by Skipton's David Ferguson of Clayton Velo. Peter Halligan of Whalley-based CC Lancs was second while junior rider Edmond Leary of Pro Vision was third.

The second race featured the elite category one and two riders.

Gary Adamson of Asics was first with Dave Micklewaite of Sowerby CRT in second place.

Colne's Nathan Fox of Paul Milnes RT was third.

However Fox was to experience that winning feeling when he beat his brother Daniel into second place in the second Elite race of the day later in the afternoon.

Daniel Fox was competing for Team Marie Curie and came home in front of Martin Russell, another rider out of the Paul Milnes RT stable.

The second junior/veteran race of the day was won by young rider James Bell of Carlisle who is currently leading the junior national road racing championship.

Edmond Leary claimed another top three place to finish second while Nick Shaughnessy of Prickett-Atom Elite was third.