THE ROYAL Forest of Dean Cycling Club held the sixth round of its mountain bike series at Cannop last week.

Although the series is primarily aimed at under-18s the eight-round series also attracts many senior riders.

Jared Linden of the Royal Forest of Dean Cycling Club was the fastest senior home with a time 59 minutes 46 seconds, a lead of three minutes 45 seconds over second-placed Matt Lewis of XC Racer.com.

Adam Taylor of Royal Forest finished in one hour four minutes and 13 seconds, John Linden's time was one hour five minutes and five seconds and Rob Newth was home in one hour 13 minutes and five seconds.

Organiser Alan Crowley said: "We started two years ago with couple of events and last year we had seven in a time trial format.

"We started them because there were not many events in this area and we get riders from a wide area."

"We're holding a series of eight events with the best five performances counting towards prizes."

Although the series is aimed at young riders the club – like many others – is struggling to attract younger cyclists.

Mr Crowley said: "It's supposed to be for under-18s but we have had a low take-up this year – it is not just us other clubs are struggling too."

Entries to the event last week may have been hit by a rival race at the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling.

Mr Crowley added: "When we organised our event the one at Abergavenny was not on the diary but it was added later."

The final two rounds will be held at Cannop on July 24 and August 7. For more information about the club visit http://www.rdfcc.org.uk">www.rdfcc.org.uk