Rob Jebb (Wheelbase / Ron Hill) closed in on Tim Gould’s all-time record of six wins with his fifth straight Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race victory. Jebb’s closest rival, for the fourth race in succession was former winner Nick Craig, but once again Jebb’s fell-running expertise proved more potent than Craig’s all round cycling skills.

Rob was well clear by the top of the first mountain, Ingleborough and although Craig closed in a little on the more cyclist-friendly second half of the race, Jebb’s winning margin was still over three minutes. Craig’s Scott team-mate Dave Collins was an impressive third, whilst Geoff Beetham was fourth. My Wheelbase team mates Lewis Craven and Stuart Reid were 5th and 8th respectively, and took the team prize. I finished 26th – fairly pleased with that after some shocking preparation in the last two days (Friday: Broke a bone in my foot, Saturday, got mega indigestion and couldn’t eat enough!).

It wasn’t one of the fastest races ever – the hills have begun to absord the first of their annual winter deluge of rains and although not significantly boggy, with heavy showers also slowing progress, along with variable visibility on the higher sections, the race was tough enough to test the best.

Louise Robinson, the only woman to have won the race more than twice, took her fourth win in a row, by eight minutes from Heather Dawe, with Isla Rowntree third.

In the men’s age categories, John Wilkinson was the first over 40 (and ninth overall) with Ian Holmes second and Chris Young third. First and best first timer was Junior Josh Ibbett in 48th position, just ahead of first over 50 Carl McDonagh in 52nd. Peter Walkington was the first over 60 in 133rd place.

Full Results are here

Thanks for the original text and photos from Phil Ingham here.

Photos on the official three peaks website are here.

My brother did his first cyclo-cross of the season on Saunday down in Ivybridge, near Plymouth. Nice piccie of him here. We’re revving up for the 44th annual Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross on Sunday 25th Sept – the thought of which is keeping us both regular. I’ve competed in nine Three Peaks ‘crosses, and completed eight (snapped my saddle off one year and finishing was out of the question!). Best position was last year – 20th out of 256. Hoping to get inside the top 20 this year again but it’s a tall order. I’ve deliberately upped my running this year and lost quite a bit of weight – essentially all for this one race – so a lot rests on what happens on Sunday. It’s impossibly hard for me to relate how one race can preoccupy me so much more than other races, so I always spend this part of September in utter infatuation.. .my mind’s never off it for more than a few minutes – both awake and asleep. Saddo.