Three Peaks (cyclo cross race)
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The Three Peaks cyclo-cross race is an annual cyclo-cross event held over the Yorkshire three peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent, in Yorkshire, England. Organised by Bradford Racing Cycling Club and held annually on the last weekend of September, it bills itself as the "hardest cyclo-cross race in the world".[1] While other races may have comparable or even greater distances and height gain—Whernside, the tallest of the Peaks, only reaches 736 metres—it is the combination of gradient, terrain, and weather that give the Three Peaks its reputation.
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[edit] Overview
The original course was 40 kilometres long, but was increased to 47 km in 1980. More course changes in 1982 and 1983 increased it further, to 50 km and then 57 km respectively. The most recent alteration was in 1994, which extended the course to 61 km. The current course starts at Helwith Bridge, 3 km south of Horton in Ribblesdale, and the riders tackle the peaks in the order Ingleborough, then Whernside, and finally Pen-y-ghent. Because the race takes place on footpaths and private land, cycling the course at any other time of year is not allowed, making practice impossible.
Except for a brief period during the 1980s and early 1990s when mountain bikes were permitted, only cyclo-cross bicycles are allowed. There were no female competitors until 1979, and there were no races in 2001 or 2007 due to foot and mouth disease.[2][3]
[edit] Awards
Total Prize Money: £5,000+
Riders are awarded certificates based on their time around the course.
- Elite - under 3 hours 30 minutes
- 1st class - under 4 hours
- 2nd class - under 5 hours
- merit - all other finishers
[edit] List of overall winners
| Year | Male Winner | Female Winner | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | John Rawnsley  United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1962 | Harry Bond United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1963 | Ian Craig United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1964 | Harry Bond United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1965 | John Bell United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1966 | Harry Bond United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1967 | Harry Bond United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1968 | Tom McDonald United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1969 | John Atkins United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1970 | John Atkins United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1971 | Eric Stone United Kingdom |
- | Keighley St. Christopher C.C.C. |
| 1972 | Chris Wilkinson United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1973 | Barry Davies United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1974 | Barry Davies United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1975 | Barry Davies United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1976 | John Atkins United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1977 | Eric Stone United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1978 | Eric Stone United Kingdom |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1979 | Eric Stone United Kingdom |
Brenda Atkinson United Kingdom |
Ron Kitching/Sun Tour |
| 1980 | John North United Kingdom |
Susan Hoare United Kingdom |
Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1981 | Arthur Manz  Switzerland |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1982 | Eric Stone United Kingdom |
Susan Hoare United Kingdom |
Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1983 | Richard Bates United Kingdom |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1984 | Tim Gould United Kingdom |
- | Norton Wheelers |
| 1985 | Tim Gould United Kingdom |
Christine Walker United Kingdom |
Chesterfield Coureurs/Ness |
| 1986 | Tim Gould United Kingdom |
Janet Sanger United Kingdom |
Chesterfield Coureurs/Ness |
| 1987 | Tim Gould United Kingdom |
- | Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1988 | Tim Gould United Kingdom |
Emma Wood United Kingdom |
Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1989 | Tim Gould United Kingdom |
Melanie Grivell United Kingdom |
Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1990 | Fred Salmon United Kingdom |
Melanie Grivell United Kingdom |
Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1991 | Nick Craig United Kingdom |
Isla Rowntree United Kingdom |
Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1992 | Fred Salmon United Kingdom |
- | Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1993 | Fred Salmon United Kingdom |
Alison Garside United Kingdom |
Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1994 | Chris Young United Kingdom |
Alison Garside United Kingdom |
Ace R.T./Peugeot or Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1995 | Andy Peace United Kingdom |
Jacqui Foster United Kingdom |
Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1996 | Andy Peace United Kingdom |
Ruth Gamwell United Kingdom |
Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1997 | Chris Young United Kingdom |
Mari Todd United Kingdom |
Pace Racing/Pace Satellite TV |
| 1998 | Chris Young United Kingdom |
Sue Thomas United Kingdom |
Team Marie Curie/Pace Satellite TV |
| 1999 | Ian Cuthbertson United Kingdom |
Kali Exley United Kingdom |
Team Marie Curie/Pace Satellite TV |
| 2000 | Rob Jebb United Kingdom |
Sue Thomas United Kingdom |
Helly Hansen - Giant - MBI |
| 2001 | No race - foot & mouth disease in the area | ||
| 2002 | Rob Jebb United Kingdom |
Louise Robinson United Kingdom |
Science in Sport.com |
| 2003 | Rob Jebb United Kingdom |
Louise Robinson United Kingdom |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2004 | Rob Jebb United Kingdom |
Louise Robinson United Kingdom |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2005 | Rob Jebb United Kingdom |
Louise Robinson United Kingdom |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2006 | Rob Jebb United Kingdom |
Isla Rowntree United Kingdom |
Scott UK |
| 2007 | No race - foot & mouth disease in the area | ||
(source: "Results and Roll of Honour", 3 Peaks Cyclo-cross official website)
[edit] References
- ^ "Once More Unto The Peaks 07", Ian Cleverly (quoting organiser John Rawnsley), August 30, 2007
- ^ "Jebb tumbles but still prevails in Cyclo-Cross series", Yorkshire Post, September 24, 2007
- ^ "Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race cancelled", Westmoreland Gazette, September 28, 2007
