TEENAGER Aidan Holgate of Burnley scored his first ever road race success at the weekend and what a super win it was.

Aidan, 19, who is a member of the North Lancashire Road Club, has only recently moved from the junior ranks to a senior third category rider of British Cycling, but is already well on his way to holding a second category licence.

At the weekend he was first past the chequered flag in the Cycling Development North West (CDNW) race at Doveholes in Derbyshire against some strong competition and taking in 50 tough miles of hilly Peak District terrain.

Closer to home our three locally based 10-mile promotions are enjoying larger fields than normal thanks partly to the weather but also an increased interest in the sport at the present time.

In the east of the county at Thornton-in-Craven Irish rider Hamish Graham, who lives in Earby, won his last event for some time in our area as he is now off to test himself against another class of rider by moving over to Belgium to race.

His winning time was 24 minutes 19 seconds, followed by three Pendle Forest members in Ian Duckworth (24-51), Stephen Singleton (25-32) and Wayne McIntosh (28-17).

At Hapton for the Rossendale event their own Paul Warrener was fastest with 25-24 with Andy Horner of Bury Clarion second (26-14), Mick Wood of Clitheroe Bike Club third (26-22) and the promoting club’s Roy Flanagan fourth (27-01).

At Edisford near Clitheroe the entry on the night equalled the best ever with 35 signed on for the 7pm start.

The winner was Richard Sagar of the promoting North Lancashire Road Club with 24 minutes 26 seconds with Dean McGarry second (24-38), Duncan Park third (24-45) and a tie for fourth with both Dave McDonough and Mick Wood clocking 25-17.

There will be no event at Edisford next Wednesday (June 6) as the North Lancashire and Lakes Veteran Group are promoting a 25-mile event on a new version of the Clitheroe by-pass course with a start time of 7pm but there is no ‘entry on the line‘ possibility for this one.

The League of Veteran Racing Cyclists are promoting their annual road race on the Bashall Eaves circuit on Sunday morning with a start time of 10 am and HQ at Edisford Primary School Clitheroe.