HOLTON TAKES CIRCUIT OF PENDLE

MARK Holton (Pro Bike Kit) warmed up for the first round of the Rudy Project Series in two weeks time with a convincing win in the 28-mile Circuit of Pendle time trial at Whalley, Lancashire, on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Preston-based rider is targeting the National Series as well as the National Championships up to 50 miles this season, and looks set to mount a serious challenge if his form on Pendle is a marker.

Holton clocked 1-06-56 to win by 2-14 from Adrian Lawrence (Lancashire RC), while local hard man Ian Stott (Blackburn and District CTC) was third, another 48 seconds off the pace.

?It was a really windy day,? said Holton. ?There was a tail wind for about 10 miles up to the top of Black?O hill, but it was really exposed up there, and the descent was really hairy.?

Elsewhere, Julian Ramsbottom continued his run of form with victory in the Matlock CC 25 at Rowsley, Derbyshire. His time of 1-02-58 for the hilly course was more than four minutes quicker than second-placed Ian Dalton (Cherry Valley RT).

And in Essex, Tim Bayley (Arctic Premier RT) scored his first open win of the season in the Maldon and District hilly 20-mile event at Purleigh, beating Dean Lubin (PCA Ciclos Uno) into second by 19 seconds.

More time trialling news and results in this week?s Cycling Weekly.

Circuit of Pendle, Lancashire, 28 miles.-
1 Mark Holton (Pro Bike Kit.com) 1-06-56

2 Adrian Lawrence (Lancashire RC) 1-09-10

3 Ian Stott (Blackburn & District CTC) 1-09-58

4 Alf Hilton (Warrington RC) 1-10-41

5 Peter Greenwood (Clayton Velo) 1-11-27

6 Paul Shallicker (Lancashire RC) 1-12-07