HOLME cyclist David Farrer enhanced his growing reputation over the weekend with a promising 43rd position overall in the Junior Tour of Wales.

It was only the Marie Curie rider' s third road race but he adapted well to the rigours of the hilly 189-mile stage race, which included 14 Dutch riders in an international field of 87.

Some of the climbs were 1-in-6 hauls and first year junior David took 7 hours 58 mins to complete the race, just 8 mins 20 sec down on winner Alex Coutts, of Scotland, a second year junior.

Closer to home, Ulverston's Mike Speight (BCW) was the fastest local rider in Border City's 25 miles time trial on the Linstock to Brampton road on Saturday, covering the distance in 1-00-08.

The winner was Border City's Lee Foster in

55-55 and other local times were: Richard Belk (KV) 1-02-58; Fred Hampson (BCW) 1-07-36; and Julia Mattison (LCC)

1-12-32.

In the Nelson Wheelers 25 at Garstang the following morning, Blackburn CTC's Dave Ebbrell was the winner in 56-18 with the local contingent headed by Barry Fittes (BCW) in 1-01-02 ahead of clubmate Martin Hebbert on 1-02-25.

Kent Valley's Fred Pickstone did 1-08-50 and Frank Kilburn 1-09-03.

The latest Kent Valley club 10 at Milnthorpe was a triumph for Andrew Barlow in 22:41 from Simon Mackereth on 23:16 with John Leach third on 23:44.

Other leading times were: Adrian Yate 23:50; Matt Woods 24:32; Kevin Towers 24:46; Richard Belk 24:51; Tony Dixon and Ian Padley 25:01; and Nigel Hooker 25:08.

Sharon Padley was the fastest woman in 25:27 ahead of Lois Gosney on 27:26 and Abby Astle on 27:38.