RICHARD Bideau of the Pendle Forest Cycling Club has become the first member of an East Lancashire based club to win the British Best All Rounder (BBAR) competition in the 70 years of its existence, writes DAVE BROWN.

In his first full season of time trialling the Burnley born Bideau - a Potter by trade - has won the prestigious BBAR for 2015 and will be honoured at the Cycling Time Trials Champions Dinner in early January.

The competition was based on the highest average speed recorded for the three events of 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours across the 2015 season and Bideau has produced some outstanding performances in each of these.

Despite being 44-years-old Richard’s 100 mile time of 3 hours 18 minutes 54 seconds - over 30 mph - done on Yorkshire roads is the fastest time ever recorded over the distance.

His 12 hour ride of 309 miles - in his first attempt at the half-day ride - is the fourth longest distance recorded and his 1 hour 38 minutes 39 seconds 50-mile effort is in the top 10 fastest ever ridden. Bideau’s average speed of 28.783 mph is a new record beating reigning champion Adam Topham of West Wycombe CC by a tiny margin.

Richard has struggled with a painful back since his epic 12-hour ride but took to the road for the climb of Jubilee Tower near Lancaster on Sunday. He was beaten into third place by two much younger riders over the short eight minute effort.

He will now focus on fully recovering and preparing for the 2016 season.

On the Palatine circuit at Blackpool, the Whalley based Nab Racing Team saw Adam Derbyshire finish first over the line in the 2nd /3rd /4th category event and Clitheroe’s Green Jersey RT had Charles Paige doing the same in the Under 14 event at the Autumn Series.

In Yorkshire, Burnley’s Mick Ellerton of Team Swift was a minute behind his recent British Record time for his 54 years over 25 miles but his 50mins 30secs took fourth place overall and first based on age standard.