TOM Gibbs’ domination of the Lakeland Lanequest series continued as he claimed victory on a tough course at Witherslack.

The Backbarrow rider, for once, was unable to visit all 30 checkpoints within the two-hour time limit as David Heffernan devised a fiendish test.

But Gibbs was still the best of the bunch in the men’s solo class, riding home with 288 points in the cycle-orienteering event and putting himself in an almost insurmountable position to take the title.

Gibbs’ third win from three events came ahead of Ulverston’s David Heffernan, who finished runner-up last year and was second at the Derby Arms finish, almost but not quite within touching distance on 264 points.

The leading duo were among a full house of 165 competitors facing the hardest and longest event of the Wheelbase-sponsored series so far.

The double chevron climbs around Cartmel Fell, including the infamous Tow Top and Strawberry Bank ascents, saw competitors slowed to a crawl at times.

Add to that the narrow and tortuous lanes in and around the Winster Valley and it was little surprise that on this occasion no-one managed a clear run of 30 controls without penalties.

Jo Cleary would have been first in the ladies’ solo class yet again, but lateness penalties demoted her to second place on 215 points, behind last year’s solo champion Helen Jackson, on 236 points.

At the halfway mark, Cleary now leads Jackson by only 14 points in the series standings.

In the juniors’ class, Fenna Whittaker managed a creditable 132 points, while one half of last week’s organising partnership, Bruce Attwood, topped the generation pairs’ class with son George, scoring an excellent 240, some way ahead of the consistent Eddie and Andrew Leatham, on 184. The latter led the class after three events.

Last year’s runners up in the adult pairs/threes’ class, Sally Ozanne and Kieren Hodgeson, served notice that they mean business again this year with a first time out convincing class win over second-placed Neil Towler and Martin Cook.

Third went to Sarah and Andrew Crozier on the tandem.

Another evening of cycling orienteering and camaraderie was enjoyed by all and organiser Rick Fry and his team were commended for putting on such a well organised event.

The next event in the series takes place tonight from the Fleece Inn, Dolphinholme. As with all the Lanequest races, it will raise money for charity, in this case the Multiple Sclerosis Society.