HORRENDOUS weather conditions battered riders in the Nelson Wheelers Cycling Club promotion of the Circuit of the Dales on Sunday, writes DAVE BROWN.

From the 160 who had entered the event just 61 survived to arrive at the finish line.

Heavy rain driven by strong winds - including snow - on the unforgiving exposed roads around Hawes in North Yorkshire took it’s toll.

Many of the starters were forced to abandon and somehow get a lift back to the warmth of the event headquarters in Ingleton where many were suffering from hypothermia.

Mark Holton, of the drag2zero.com team, was the winner but almost 20 minutes slower than his own course record time with a time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 24 seconds. That was the slowest winning time for the 50-mile race for 25 years.

Best of the East Lancashire- based riders was Bill Belcher of the Clayton Velo in 13th position with 2hr 30min 28secs ride. Paul Braithwaite of Pendle Forest CC clocked 2hrs 35mins 4secs and Joe Duckworth of Chorley Athletic and Tri Club came home in 2hrs 35mins 31secs to also make the top 20.

Conditions were better but not ideal on Saturday in the 25 mile event near Uttoxeter where Pendle Forest’s Richard Bideau finished third with a 30mph ride of 49mins 32secs while Steve Irwin of Burnley set a new record for his North Lancashire Road Club of 50mins 7secs.

The winner was national champion at the distance Matt Bottrill - riding for drag2zero as Holton does - with 47mins 28secs.

Today at 1pm is the North Lancs. Veterans 25 mile time trial - but open to all ages - on a quiet course for traffic in the Fylde.