Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross
The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross is an annual cyclo-cross event over the Yorkshire three peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent, in Yorkshire, England. Organised by Bradford Racing Cycling Club 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.
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, in 1994, extended the course to 61 km. The current course starts at Helwith Bridge, 3 km south of Horton in Ribblesdale, and tackles Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Because part of the race is on private land, cycling the whole course at any other time of year is not possible.
Except during the 1980s and early 1990s when mountain bikes were permitted, only cyclo-cross bicycles with drop handlebars 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]
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
List of overall winners
| Year | Male Winner | Female Winner | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 |  John Rawnsley (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1962 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1963 | Ian Craig (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1964 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1965 | John Bell (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1966 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1967 | Harry Bond (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1968 | Tom McDonald (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1969 | John Atkins (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1970 | John Atkins (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1971 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
- | Keighley St. Christopher C.C.C. |
| 1972 | Chris Wilkinson (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1973 | Barry Davies (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1974 | Barry Davies (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1975 | Barry Davies (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1976 | John Atkins (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1977 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1978 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1979 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
Brenda Atkinson (GBR) |
Ron Kitching/Sun Tour |
| 1980 | John North (GBR) |
Susan Hoare (GBR) |
Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1981 |  Arthur Manz (SUI) |
- | Bronte Wheelers/McManus & Poole |
| 1982 | Eric Stone (GBR) |
Susan Hoare (GBR) |
Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1983 | Richard Bates (GBR) |
- | Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1984 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
- | Norton Wheelers |
| 1985 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Christine Walker (GBR) |
Chesterfield Coureurs/Ness |
| 1986 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Janet Sanger (GBR) |
Chesterfield Coureurs/Ness |
| 1987 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
- | Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1988 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Emma Wood (GBR) |
Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1989 | Tim Gould (GBR) |
Melanie Grivell (GBR) |
Bradford Racing Cycling Club |
| 1990 | Fred Salmon (GBR) |
Melanie Grivell (GBR) |
Ace R.T./Peugeot |
| 1991 | Nick Craig (GBR) |
Isla Rowntree (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1992 | Fred Salmon (GBR) |
- | Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1993 | Fred Salmon (GBR) |
Alison Garside (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1994 | Chris Young (GBR) |
Alison Garside (GBR) |
Ace R.T./Peugeot or Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1995 | Andy Peace (GBR) |
Jacqui Foster (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers or Bradford Olympic R.C./Paul Milnes/Lusso |
| 1996 | Andy Peace (GBR) |
Ruth Gamwell (GBR) |
Helwith Bridge Alers |
| 1997 | Chris Young (GBR) |
Mari Todd (GBR) |
Pace Racing/Pace Satellite TV |
| 1998 | Chris Young (GBR) |
Sue Thomas (GBR) |
Team Marie Curie/Pace Satellite TV |
| 1999 | Ian Cuthbertson (GBR) |
Kali Exley (GBR) |
Team Marie Curie/Pace Satellite TV |
| 2000 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Sue Thomas (GBR) |
Helly Hansen - Giant - MBI |
| 2001 | No race - foot & mouth disease in the area | ||
| 2002 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Science in Sport.com |
| 2003 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2004 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2005 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Louise Robinson (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Ron Hill |
| 2006 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Isla Rowntree (GBR) |
Scott UK |
| 2007 | No race - foot & mouth disease in the area | ||
| 2008 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Heather Dawe (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear |
| 2009 | Nick Craig (GBR) |
Renee Saxton (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Cannondale/Gorebikewear |
| 2010 | Rob Jebb (GBR) |
Renee Saxton (GBR) |
Wheelbase/Cannondale/Gorebikewear |
(source: "Results and Roll of Honour", 3 Peaks Cyclo-cross official website)
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