The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race took place today from Helwith Bridge in much better weather than last year.

The race was won, for a record tenth time, by Bingley's Rob Jebb

Pre-race favourite Jebb (Team Factory Racing) turned in another commanding performance to win the 51st running of the event.

The 38-year-old, who now lives in Kendal, survived a puncture approaching the top of the final climb of Pen-y-ghent to complete the 38-mile North Yorkshire course in 3hr 5min 14sec and retain his title with a winning margin of 7min 25sec over Cononley veteran Ian Taylor (Jedi Cycle Sport), who improved on his previous best finish of third in 2010.

Third place went to Jebb’s team-mate Dave Collins, who came in a minute and a half behind Taylor.

First woman was 30-year-old Delia Beddis (ViCiOUS Velo), who finished just 56 seconds outside the four-hour barrier as she beat closest rival Isla Rowntree (Islabikes) by almost seven minutes.

A field of nearly 600 riders set off from Helwith Bridge under blue skies and sunshine, but with a strong wind blowing over the tops of the three major ascents of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent.

Jebb made his customary surge on the opening climb to pull away from the leading group and, once clear, was able to ride at his own tempo on a trouble-free ride before his late scare.

“It was a lot nicer than last year’s wet and mist, but it was really windy on the tops and it was nearly blowing me off my bike,” said Jebb.

“I just did my usual and gave it a go as we came on to the first climb, on the bit that suits me.

“I felt comfortable and once I had a gap, I was going around at my own pace. I punctured in the last 50 metres on Pen-y-ghent and had to ride back to Helwith Bridge on a flat tyre, but I had a ten-minute lead and could just ride back steady to make sure the tyre stayed on the rim.”

Will he be going for number 11 next year? “Absolutely! I love it. I’ve got three children now and I’m 38, but I will always turn out and keep plugging away.”

Haworth's Andy Peace (Jedi Cycle Sport) was sixth, while Bingley's Robert Watson (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was the leading under-23 rider.