There was less than 20 seconds between the fastest three riders as they crossed the finish line at the top of the Nick o’Pendle on Sunday with Matthew Pilkington of Poulton-le-Fylde, who rides for the Metalek-Knights of Old squad, taking top slot with a time of three minutes 38.1 seconds, which was within 20 seconds of Chris Boardman’s long-standing course record.

James Gullen, of Lancaster who rides for Team Hope Factory Racing, was second in 3-43.4 with ex-National Champion at the discipline Jim Henderson, of Southport, third in 3-57.2.

Burnley’s Aidan Holgate excelled, taking fifth place with 4-04.1.

The previous day on a climb just further up the east side of Pendle Hill from Barley, favourite Sam Boast, of Colne, who is riding for BBM Revolution was best with his ride of 3 minutes 42.8 seconds.

Second was Sam Jackson of the Cleveleys Road Club in 4-02.8 and Andrew Stubbs of the Pendle Forest club was equal third with Jose Pinon-Shaw of Blackburn and District CTC with 4-28.9.

The father and daughter pairing of Steve and Rebecca Wilkinson of the Nelson Wheelers club set a new tandem record for the climb with a ride of 7 minutes 06.1 seconds.

This week end is the National Hill Climb Championship which will be held on the mile-long ascent of The Stangin in County Durham.

For the first time in 15 years the Blackburn and District CTC, who were five times National Team champions, will not be fielding a team of three riders.

In fact the only rider of their club next week will be Pinon-Shaw who will join only Holgate plus Clayton Velo members Bill Belcher and Peter Greenwood of our East Lancs-based clubs.