The 'rebel rider' who ran this year's Kiplingcotes Derby despite foot and mouth is angry that an international cycle ride will take place a short distance from the Kiplingcotes course.

Ken Holmes, who has won the race nine times, refused to accept the cancellation of the East Yorkshire horse race this year.

He ran his own race, but organisers said he was "a rebel" and refused to accept his entry as official.

He now says that if the East Riding of Yorkshire Classic Cycle Race can go ahead, the Kiplingcotes could have done the same.

Raced over April 28 and 29, the Classic will pass through areas such as Warter, Bainton and Bishop Wilton, all near to the Kiplingcotes Course.

Ken claims this shows the decision to cancel by the horse race's organisers was "a load of rubbish."

"If that cycle race can go through there quite happily, then the Kiplingcotes could have gone ahead.

"Those cyclists - and there will be over 100 of them - are coming from all over the country and some are from France, but they're not saying they'll bring foot and mouth.

"There will be crowds of people along the route. They aren't saying they'll bring foot and mouth.

"I have no problem with them holding the cycle race. As far as I am concerned, things should carry on as normal and the disease should be allowed to run it's course.

"It's just double standards. That's what it is."

Kiplingcotes Trustee Guy Stephenson said Ken was entitled to his opinion, but stuck by the decision to cancel the race.

"You can't compare the two events. This cycle race is along the roads. As far as I know they are not going on any bridleways and there are no animals involved.

"Calling off (Kiplingcotes) was the right thing to do."

Chief organiser of the East Riding Classic, Barry Trotter, said he understood Ken being upset.

But he said that he had worked closely with MAFF, the British Cycling Federation and the East Riding Council, and all three were happy for the cycle race to go ahead.

"I was very aware of potential problems, and we did think about giving it a miss this year. But we won't go on any farmland and are taking all due concerns over foot and mouth."

Updated: 12:17 Thursday, April 19, 2001