Richard Bideau and Joanna Cebrat were the fastest male and female riders respectively at Pendle Forest CC’s 26.2-mile Circuit of Ingleborough on Saturday morning.

Bideau, riding for the host club, clocked 1-03-10 to record his fourth win from five events so far in an impressive start to this season.

Second place was secured by Horwich CC’s David Powell in 01-06-18, while Hamish Graham (Pendle Forest CC) took third in 1-07-21.

Bury Clarion CC’s Cebrat triumphed in the women’s event with a time of 1-20, ahead of North Lancashire Road Club’s Jan Scotchford in 1-23-47 and Eve Davies-Heywood (1-37-27) who took third place.

The team prize was also claimed by hosts Pendle Forest CC thanks to Bideau, Graham and Luke Greenwood who finished in 1-11-10.

Riders enjoyed clear and sunny conditions for the hilly course but a strong east wind provided some chill factor for those waiting on the start line. 

Unusually, the wind was against the riders on the first leg to Settle but offered a fast run from Ribblehead to the finish, which winner Bideau believes made it easier without fighting the wind to the end.

The 51-year-old claimed victory on the course for the first time since 2018, after third place in this event in March 2020 and 2017, then a second place when it was held in November 2021.

“I think it is getting back into the mindset I had in 2019, during COVID I did little in the way of aggressive training and competing, but I decided to have another go this year and my training seems to be paying off.

“The Circuit of Ingleborough is a very important event for the club and for me, so it’s very nice to support Pendle Forest and we were delighted to get the team time trial prize which I think we’ve only missed once in the time I’ve been here.”

Next up for Bideau on Sunday March 27 is the Border City Wheelers Hilly where he claimed victory the last time he rode the event in 2020.

Bideau added: “I’m confident of doing a good ride, as for placing it depends on the competition, but I judge my performance not on position it’s how I feel about how I covered the course and I’m confident I’ll do it justice certainly.”

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

* A gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here