BLACKBURN and District CTC warmed up for the defence of their National Team Hill Climb title after winning at The Rake in Ramsbottom.

Ian Stott led a trio of riders to victory in the annual event that attracted 47 riders from across the country.

The Clayton-le-Moors rider finished in third place overall in a time of 2 minutes 40.10 seconds with Carl Helliwell and Dave Collinge making up the winning team.

Helliwell from Great Harwood was equal seventh in 2.41.00 and Darwen's Collinge was tenth in 2.51.40.

It follows hot on the heels of the success the three riders had at Swaledale, North Yorkshire last month.

Now the team will be looking for a repeat success in the National finals in North Wales later this month after taking the title in the Midlands last year. And they will continue their build-up for the finals by competing in the Nick of Pendle climb in Sabden on Sunday.

Dave Ebbrell, who was a part of that winning team last year, finished in 11th place overall with a time of 2.52.10.

Blackburn and District CTC had a title of eight riders in the competition which is only a quarter of a mile in distance but includes a gruelling one-in-four gradient climb.

Chris Edmondson crossed the line in 2.56.20 with Paul Smith in 2.57.20. Colin Pickering finished in 3.23.00 and Tony Stott in 3.25.30.

There was also some more success for local riders.

For Peter Greenwood of the Clayton Velo cycling club was first in the veteran class crossing the line in 2.56.60.

The overall winner was current National Hill Climb champion Jim Henderson from Southport who completed the climb in 2.24.50.

Rob English, also of Southport, was second in 2.31.10 and Darren Atkins from Birmingham was third in 2.32.70.