Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing) secured a convincing solo victory in the 50th Three Peaks on Sunday, a win which gives him a record ninth victory in the prestigious event in North Yorkshire.
The 37-year-old Cumbria-based Yorkshireman covered the 40 kilometres in 3-09-21, and while he was almost 17 minutes shy of his own course record, he still took victory by ten minutes over his nearest rival as the wet, cold and windy conditions took their toll.
Runner-up was Jebb's Hope Factory Racing team-mate and reigning National Trophy Series champion Paul Oldham, who conceded afterwards that Jebb was a different class.
Switching bikes mid-race so that he could tackle the road sections with a more road-worthy bike, Jebb executed the race clinically and fully deserved his victory.
The first woman home was JD Cycles' Victoria Wilkinson, who was just over three minutes ahead of 2011 winner Louise Robinson (Isla Bikes). Wilkinson's win came exactly 40 years after her dad Chris Wilkinson won the Three Peaks.
For Oldham, second spot was his best placing in the Three Peaks in nine rides, while 2011 winner Nick Craig (Scott UK) had to settle for third spot, more than five minutes behind Oldham.
Elsewhere, Hargroves Cycles were celebrating after securing a 1-2-3 in the third round of the Wessex League, the Poole Wheelers' Tour de Forest, at Wareham in Dorset on Sunday.
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Steve James led home his team-mate Stuart Bowers by just a few seconds, while Matt Macdonald ensured the podium was all yellow and red with third spot.
Also celebrating more than most is XRT-Elmy Cycles rider Hugo Robinson, who won the Eastern League event at Baldock in Hertfordshire on Saturday as well as the opening round of the Central League at Hillingdon on Sunday.
The reigning national junior champion, 17-year-old Robinson was ten seconds ahead of Hope Factory Racing rival Jack Clarkson in the Eastern League event, while he won Sunday's Central League event by 16 seconds from London Phoenix rider Matt Webber.
Further north, Matt Barrett (Run and Ride) was fastest in the third round of the Waldron's Solicitors West Midlands League at Cannock in Staffordshire, crossing the line 44 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Lee Westwood (Lichfield City CC).
And over in Wales, Jonathan Pugh (Cycletec) won the Clerkenhill Cross staged near Haverfordwest by 17 seconds from David Thomas (mtb-marathon.co.uk).
Finally, Darren Barclay (Arctic SRAM RT) won the London League event in Brighton, while over in Bristol John Whittington (CNP-Orbea) won the second round of the Western League at Stapleton.
Rob Jebb
Nick Craig on Simon Fell
Victoria Wilkinson
Criag, Jebb and Oldham on the podium
Victoria Wilkinson tops the women's podium
Related links
Three Peaks cyclo-cross 2012 photo gallery by Andy Jones
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