THE classic Lancashire Road Club 12-hour time trial which has been held every year excepting war year since 1924, will be held again this Sunday.

Unfortunately, less and less modern day riders are prepared to commit themselves to such a long period of punishment and this year the lowest-ever entry of 24 riders has been received by organier Jack Roughley of Bolton.

This means that there will be several times as many people marshalling and timekeeping than competitors.

With seven times winner George Nowland of Preston entered, but not now riding after a severe dose of heat and dehydration after a very hot day for the 100-mile last week. One of the favourites in the 12-hour is now Blackburn's Jon Purdy who rides for Lancashire Road Club.

Jon has already returned the year's fastest 100-mile time with 3hrs 56mins in this area, and last Sunday clocked 1hr 57mins 54secs to take second place in the Preston Wheelers 50-mile event.

The first riders start at one-minute intervals from 6.01am to follow the A6 and to the west of that road in the Fylde with riders completing on a 15-mile triangle of roads based on Cockerham.

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