NETHER Kellet's Ben Greenwood (Recycling.co.uk/ MG Xpower) clinched third place in the National Under-23 Series road racing championship on Sunday by finishing third in the final round, the 81-mile Chase Classic at Sixpenny Handley in Dorset.

The battle for the overall title was close going into this final race with any of a number of riders in with a chance. After numerous attacks, a group of six riders escaped from the bunch and gained a gap of around two minutes as the overall contenders closely marked each other.

On the first time up the switchbacks, Greenwood attacked with only two other riders able to follow. This small group worked hard and caught the leaders, setting the scene for a battle royale up the final 1-in-6 climb to the finish. Renowned climber Greenwood launched himself clear from the group on the steepest part of the climb in an all out bid for glory but two riders matched the move and, in the resulting sprint, World Junior Track Champion Geraint Thomas (Cardiff JIF) won from Daniel Martin (CC Giro) with Ben taking a good third. As well as second overall in the series, Ben also had the honour of taking the trophy for first under-21 rider.

Last Sunday's Lancaster CC 25-mile time trial on the Levens course drew the curtain on the local road season. Forty-nine riders out of an entry of 69 braved the blustery showers and such was the quality of the field that last man off Gethin Butler made a mockery of the weather with a winning time of 53 minutes 14 seconds. Butler's team-mate John Morgan was second in 54-57 and with fourth placed Paul Fleming (56-06), Preston Wheelers easily captured the team award. Kent Valley Road Club's John Ingham was fifth in 57-54 and other local times were: Jonathan Evans (Barrow Central Whs) 59-27; Richard Belk (KV, V53) 1-04-29; Frank Kilburn (KV, V67) 1-12-09; and Ian Saunders (BCW, V68)

1-12-18.

Two Kent Valley riders braved stormy weather for Border City's 5.3 mile Hartside hill climb. Stuart McGurk clocked 23-52 and Bruce Barnes 24-20 in an event won by D. Smith (GS Metro) in 18-26.

The "Three Peaks" Cyclo-Cross race takes place this coming Sunday, involving the climbs of Whernside, Penyghent and Ingleborough. The race starts at Helwith Bridge, about three miles south of Horton-in-Ribblesdale.