IAN Wilkinson admitted he was pleased with a podium position in his first race of the year at the Eddie Soens Memorial.

The Barnoldswick rider, in the colours of Team Raleigh GAC, finished third behind the One Pro Cycling pair of Pete and Sam Williams in the handicap race at Aintree.

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And Chorley’s Brad Morgan capped a fine weekend for Raleigh when he finished second in the St Helens CRC Pimbo on Sunday.

Wilkinson went into Saturday’s race as defending champion and although he wasn’t able to retain his title, he believes third place is a strong start to his 2015 campaign.

“Third, with Team Raleigh GAC on the podium is not bad for the first race of the season, I’m happy,” he said.

“I think I’m in just as good a shape as last year so hopefully that bodes well and we’ll just keep moving.”

Wilkinson found himself in the winning break on Merseyside with team-mate George Pym alongside the One Pro Cycling pair and JLT Condor’s Tom Moses.

Eventual winner Williams was the first to show with his acceleration ending Pym’s chances.

Wilkinson took up the chase only to see Sam Williams forge clear in the closing stages. The Raleigh man caught Williams to set up a two-man sprint for second which the One Pro Cycling man won.

And the 35-year-old was left to reflect on a fine performance by his Raleigh team.

He said. “It’s always a tough race but the guys took it up straight away and rode down the time gaps.

“There were quite a few breaks where we had riders and we had plenty more options than just me, I just managed to get in a move that was fairly handy.”

Whalley-based The Nab Racing were also in action with Alistair Rutherford securing a superb 12th place.

Padiham’s Simon Wilson was also in the field with the Polypipe rider coming home 20th.

Ribble Valley CRC rider Matthew Lythgoe crossed the line in 31st while Nab pair James Claydon and Matt Hallam also finished.

Meanwhile, Morgan was himself pleased with his second spot in Sunday’s Pimbo.

Pete Williams again took the win while Nab Racing’s Jake Cowen was 15th with Polypipe’s Wilson two places in front of him.

After the race Morgan said: “Pete Williams made a good move with two laps to go.

“I was then left in a tricky situation as only a couple were doing turns on the front to bring him back.

“I knew we weren’t getting back to him so decided to cut my loses and wait for the sprint and managed to hold them off for second.”