"We had a fantastic day at the National Road Race Championships in Pendle on Sunday," said Brian Cookson, Regeneration Director for Pendle Council and President of British Cycling.

"The brilliant sunshine was the icing on the cake of a truly wonderful sporting occasion.

"I think we achieved what we set out to, which was to put Pendle on the map as a superb destination for cyclists and visitors.

"The area looked amazing on the Eurosport television broadcast!"

On Sunday 27th June the picturesque Best Kept villages of Pendle played host to the biggest event in the British cycling calendar, the National Road Race Championships.

It was a dramatic event with a new women's champion for the first time in 10 years, and the men's race dominated by the Sky Pro team.

Almost 200 riders took on the challenge of Pendle's 12km circuit through stunning scenery, with 8 laps for the women and 15 laps for the men.

The women's race began at 8.30am, only to be halted around 15 minutes later after an accident involving many of the cyclists on one of the downhill stretches. 

Three cyclists were taken to hospital for treatment for cuts, bruising and a broken elbow.

Other riders were given treatment by St John Ambulance staff in the village.

Ivor Armstrong of Cycling Development North West said:

"We had two fast medical response cars at the scene and another ambulance dedicated to the race was despatched immediately to the scene. 

"Every official is first aid trained - including the motorcycle mechanic who was riding on the back of the motorcycle service vehicle.

"So the right help was immediately on hand.

"After the request for a further ambulance to assist with a suspected hip injury, another ambulance at Race Control was despatched to assist.

"In competitive cycling, with riders racing at speeds of over 40 or 50 miles per hour, accidents do happen," he acknowledged.

"Following the accident, 16 cyclists withdrew from the race, which was restarted just before 10am, and reduced to four laps," said Ivor.

One and a half hours later it was Olympic silver medallist Emma Pooley who crossed the finish line and became the new National Road Race Elite Champion.

Emma said that it was a hard circuit and she hadn't expected to win.

She said she was looking forward to wearing the champion's jersey in races for the next year, something she sees as a big honour.

And Lizzie Armitstead came second, with Olympic champion Nicole Cooke, who had held the title for the last nine years, coming third.

Lizzie Armitstead also picked up the gold medal in the under 23s category, with Katie Colclough coming second and Emma Trott taking third place.

In the men's race, it was three riders from the Sky Pro Cycling Team who won the Elite medals.

After over five hours of cycling in gruelling 28 degree heat, the race finished with Geraint Thomas in first place.

He crossed the finish line in five hours and seven minutes.

Second place went to Peter Kennaugh with Ian Stannard in third.

Of the 130 starters, only 11 riders finished within one lap of the winner, such was the severity of the course.

Geraint Thomas, who already has an Olympic gold medal to his name, said it was a very hard race admitting:

"You've got to take it by the scruff of the neck and get stuck in, which is what we did."

He added that he would be honoured to wear the winner's jersey in the Tour de France which starts next week. It will be the first time the national jersey will appear at the Tour de France since 1992.

And in the men's under 23s category, Andrew Fenn came first, with Rhys Lloyd in second place and Ross Creber in third place.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Tony Beckett, dropped the flag to start both the women's and men's races. The Mayor said:

"We had a truly marvellous day.

"Thousands of people came out to support the event, lining the whole route and cheering on the cyclists in the toughest National Road Race ever.

"In Barley, where the event started and finished, thousands of people came for a fantastic - and free - day out; the atmosphere was wonderful.

"And I want to thank the residents of Barley, Roughlee, Newchurch and Downham not only for their hospitality, but for the enthusiastic way the villages were festooned with flags and decorations.

"I feel sure that such a thrilling national event taking place right on their doorsteps will have given them a day to remember."

Local business cottages4you was the race's headline sponsor and provided the champions Geraint Thomas and Emma Pooley with £500 holiday vouchers.

The under 23 winners won £300 worth of cottages4you holiday vouchers.

Nick Rudge, Vice President of Marketing at cottages4you, said:

"The event was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Pendle on a national scale.

"We were proud to be the headline sponsors for such an amazing sporting occasion showcasing the country's top cycling talent."

Mark Sandamas of Pennine Events said:

"I'd like to thank the team of people from a whole range of organisations who worked so hard over a long run up to make this event the best National Road Race ever.

"Commentator Hugh Porter, who commentates at cycling events across the world, said that it was on a level with top cycling events internationally.

"With the fantastic big screen, closed road circuit and event village, we have really raised the bar for a higher quality National Road Race. 

"It was like a continental racing event," Mark added.

The villagers picked up some prizes on the day too.

Pendle Council had challenged residents living along the route to decorate their windows, gardens or fields on the theme of cycling.

Entrants were judged by the Mayor of Pendle who awarded the prizes after the men's podium presentations.

Winning the top cash prize of £150 was Angela Hargreaves of Barley Chapel for her family's display entitled 'God speed'.

Second prize, of £50, went to Paul Dewhurst of Barley for his Pirates of the Caribbean cycling display.

• For the full National Road Race Championships results, go to http://www.britishcycling.org.uk