Hit the North 2.5 took place on Saturday February 12, with cyclo-cross racer Ian Taylor taking the honours.

The unique mountain bike and cyclo-cross format, with racing taking place over two hours on four-mile course, saw riders labelling it the ‘best ever’ Hit the North and vowing to return next year.

Just shy of 200 riders lined up in the sunshine for the mass start and battled through tough conditions following persistent rain the previous week – unrideable climbs favouring the cyclo-cross racers and steep downhill sections and fast, bermed Forestry Commission-built MTB trails ideal those riding mountain bikes.

Taylor (Craven Energy Tri), who finished third in the Three Peaks, took victory ahead of another renowned ‘crosser, Dave Haygarth (Wheelbase.co.uk / Cannondale). Chris Purt (Revolution Bikes), riding a mountain bike, completed the podium.

Amy Baron-Hall (Cookson Cycles) won the ladies event, with Emma Peasland and Pauline Griffin (Manchester Tri) second and third respectively. Profits from the race will be donated to Stand Pre-School Nursery for outdoor play equipment.

Planning for the next HTN will start in the autumn. Watch www.hitthenorth.net for more information.