BUTLER A CLASS APART IN CIRCUIT OF THE DALES

COURSE record holder Gethin Butler (Preston Wheelers) notched up his tenth victory in the Circuit of the Dales 49.8-mile time trial, beating rival Paul O?Mahoney by more than two minutes in Sunday's event.

Former British Best All-Rounder Butler, who set the course record 1-57-51 in 1998, clocked 1-58-39 in the Nelson Wheelers event which takes in Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedbergh, Hawes and Ingleton, including the climbs of Garsdale and Newby Head.

In-form O?Mahoney, who won the Circuit of Ingleborough over similar terrain last month, was 2-01 slower than Butler?s time of 1-58-39, while third-placed David Cook (Alpine Rootz) was another 3-16 off the pace.

Circuit of the Dales (Ingleton, North Yorks, 49.8 miles): 1, Gethin Butler (Preston Wheelers) 1-58-39; 2, P. O?Mahoney (Pro Bike Kit) 2-00-40; 3, D. Cook (Alpine Rootz) 2-03-56; 4, V. Macklam (Yorkshire RC) 2-03-57; 5, K. Murray (Wheelspin-Scott) 2-05-44; 6, S. Henson (Yorkshire RC) 2-07-20.