IAN Wilkinson left it late to reclaim his self-styled ‘Superman’ status in the recently televised Tour Series, but at least he redeemed his reputation when he was first across the line at Woking in the penultimate race.

The Barnoldswick rider’s consistent placings in the other counting events ensured that his Endura sponsored squad took second place in the all important team rankings when the eight race series finished at Canary Wharf.

Wilko then went on to take 15th out of 120 starters in the British Cycling Premier Calendar 144 km Tour of the Reservoir in Northumberland on Sunday where the winner was Preston’s Ian Bibby riding for the Motorpoint sponsored team.

Wilkinson and Bibby will be up against Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in the National Road Race Championship in Northumberland this Sunday.

Of our other local Pro cyclists Steven Burke of Colne only rode one of the Tour Series after suffering a drop in form but did ride the Tour of the Reservoir to finish a very creditable 39th.

Simon Wilson of the CyclePremier-Metaltek Pro Team rode six of the ITV4 screened events with his best placing when he helped his squad to third place in the team race at Stoke-on-Trent.

Worsthorne’s Simon was back in action at the weekend and taking 6th place overall in the 4 stage Wheelbase Morecambe 160 mile road race only a scant 16 seconds behind winner James Gullen of the Wallis Cycles-CHH Higher Walton based team.

Great Harwood’s Ian Stott riding for the Blackburn and District CTC took a second place in the West Pennine 25 mile time trial between Cockerham and Hambleton clocking 56 minutes 45 seconds just 31 seconds behind winner Matt Moorhouse of Preston Cycling Club whilst Peter Greenwood of Clayton Velo took fourth in 57-34.

The Kent Valley ‘25’ on the Levens course resulted in at least one Personal Best for our local riders with Julian Markham of Mellor Brook clocking a best ever of 55 minutes 57seconds for 7th place.

Burnley’s Michael Ellerton was second fastest with 53-45 and Darwen’s Ian Cox 7th with 56-24 against the fastest ride of the day coming from Cleveley’s Derek Parkinson in a super 51-51 performance.

Rob Dickinson of the North Lancs.

Road Club had two wins on local roads when he was fastest in the Rossendale 10 mile at Hapton in 24m 31s beating Paul Warrener (24-50), Andy Horner (Bury Clarion 25-19) and Mark Bateman (25-45).

In the Pendle Forest 6.2 mile Dickinson was best with 14m 55s ahead of Martin Brass (15-19), Ian Duckworth (15-31) and Martin Welsh (16-34).