THERE was a certain amount of similarity with another recent sporting rivalry where Blackburn were involved when Blackburn and District Cyclists Touring Club defended their excellent record in the Beard Cup hill climb.

The competition is organised annually by Manchester CTC and Blackburn had previously come home with the winner’s trophy for the past 14 years on the run.

However a fifteenth success was not to be.

Held on the steep one mile climb at Diggle near Oldham with most of the usual big-hitters of the club missing on the day it was up to three of the well-known cycling Stott family to try and uphold the honours.

Competing in the Super Tourist Class there was mother and father Anne and Tony of Clayton-le-Moors complete with mudguards, lights and saddlebags in true cycling touring club tradition whilst for good measure son Ian of Chatburn rode additionally laden down with full camping gear on board.

Not totally surprisingly Team Stott were beaten by Saddleworth Clarion Cycling Club who will now hold the precious trophy for the next 12 months!

Certainly Peter Greenwood of Burnley would be on the shortlist for any local rider of the year award despite his age of 61.

On Saturday, Greenwood re-set the Clayton Velo Cycling Club 25 mile record with an exceptional 52 minutes 23 seconds ride which was not only a Personal Best but also shaved four seconds of the Clayton record set 20 years ago by their Dave Richards.

Winner of the Rossendale Road Club Evening League for the 2013 season was Roy Flanagan who has ridden 10 events for a total of 80 points.

Paul Warrener was second with 75 points, Matt James third with 71 points and Andrew Russell fourth with 64 points. Twenty-seven members of the club rode at least one event during the year.