TOM Gibbs’ dominance of the Lakeland Lanequest series shows no sign of letting up after another triumph on two wheels.

The Backbarrow master rode his way to a third successive top spot as the series headed to Crosby Ravensworth – the most northerly host for this year’s races.

Gibbs shone in the sunshine on the fast-rolling, scenic lanes north and west of the village, passing through Maulds Meaburn, Sleagill and Kings Meaburn as he proved unbeatable once more.

The former champion – among more than 100 riders taking up the challenge for this race across the men’s, women’s generation pairs and adult pairs/threes categories – missed out on the full 300 points haul by the narrowest of margins for the second week running.

Gibbs reached all of the checkpoints, but arrived back at Crosby Ravensworth Village Hall just outside the two-hour time limit for the cycle orienteering challenge.

An out-of-position control caused much scratching of heads, Gibbs’ included, as he and Helen Jackson won their respective classes yet again.

Men’s runner-up David Sproston was also caught out, but still finished a mere eight points behind Gibbs, who has opened up a clear gap from Ulverston’s David Heffernan and Kendal’s David Hollingham at the top of the overall standings.

It was a similar story in the ladies event, with Kendal rider Jackson edging further ahead of Ulverston’s Jo Cleary – who this week had daughter Hannah Cleary-Hughes nipping at her heels.

A win in the generation pairs for mother/daughter team Sharron and Briege Hutchinson also put them into a clear series lead, though they shared the victory with father and son Glenn and Ben Walsh, on their first outing of the year.

The adult pairs/threes is again the most hotly-contested class.

With series leaders Ben and Lee Procter not starting, it fell to James Annan and Julia Hargreaves to fight it out with Robin Everingham and Tim Seddon for first and second on the night respectively. Those positions are reversed in the overall series standings.

The familiar Staveley pair of series organiser Rachel Toyn and husband Mike seemed to be hitting their old form at last, finishing third on the night, but sitting sixth overall after three events.

The next round takes place from the Strickland Arms, Aizergh, tonight, followed by the penultimate event of the year from the Royal Oak, Cartmel next Tuesday.