Ilkley rider Ewan Farrow produced his best road race performance last Sunday by winning the Nidderdale Classic Road Race. The 45-mile race was based around the tough Darley circuit which is known for its severe climbs and technical descents. Supported by a strong Ilkley team of Ben Hallworth, Rob Ormrod and Tom Andrews, Farrow made his move early in the race.

After just ten miles covered he attacked on one of the climbs. Only one rider could follow the move and after a further ten miles Farrow had powered away on his own.

A small chasing group established soon after with Hallworth covering this group, whilst Ormrod and Andrews policed the remains of the bunch.

Despite the chasing group’s effort, Farrow rode strongly in the difficult conditions and had a good lead when taking the bell for the last lap.

During the final circuit the chasers closed the gap but Farrow was never in danger of losing his lead and claimed victory in fine style.

Hallworth sprinted in to take third, just being pipped on the line for second. Ormrod and Andrews both finished strongly in the bunch.

Nina Benson made it a double winning weekend for Ilkley by leading the Ladies category at the Circuit of the Dales Classic Hilly time trial. Riders completed a 50-mile loop starting from Ingleton.

Benson, in her first racing season, moved up a gear from recent weeks to lead the ladies home in 2:46:56.

Doug Hart took a fine 16th place in the overall standings in a time of 2:17:09, following some very solid rides by Hart in recent weeks. Dave Leckenby recorded 2:33:08 for 54th place overall. Several other Ilkley riders were also in action last weekend.

Dave Kinloch competed in the latest round of the Rudy Project National Time Trials Series which was run over a 23-mile circuit near Stratford. Kinloch clocked a creditable time of 51:40 to take sixth place in the veterans’ standings. Ged Millward and Paul Di Mambro competed in the Yorkshire VTT 10 mile time trial near Hull on Saturday.

For the second week in a row Di Mambro recorded a personal best when he finished in 22:34. Millward finished with a 21:19 in much windier conditions than the previous week.