ONE of the founders of a leading Barnoldswick company was found dead at his home in Flasby yesterday.

Simon Sharp, of cycling parts manufacturer Hope Technology, was an accomplished motorcycle trials rider and a competitive mountain biker.

And colleagues believe a contributory factor in the 53-year-old's death could be several concussions he had suffered over the years.

A company statement said: "In his riding career, he suffered several concussions, with the most serious resulting in brain bleed, and it is believed this may have led to CTE, a degenerative brain disease that arises from concussions and is associated with impaired judgment and depression and may have contributed to his death."

Colleagues paid tribute to the lasting influence Mr Sharp will have on the company.

A spokesman said: "Every product in Hope’s almost 30 years of history has had influence and input from him, from the disc brakes that originally made Hope famous through to the latest carbon fibre products.

"He was still in the factory every day keeping his watchful eye over all Hope’s product development.

"He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all he knew him."

As an accomplished motorcycle trials rider and mountain biker, Mr Sharp rode at the highest level in both sports.

He competed in the Pre65 Scottish Two Day Motorcycle trial in May this year, and rode the Scottish Six Day Trial with his son, Sam, the following week.

The spokesman added: "These were an epic eight days trials riding around the Scottish Highlands that even a younger son found challenging.

"Last year, he raced his mountain bike in several rounds of the Enduro World Series in the Masters category for competitors over 40 years old and embarrassed many younger riders with his excellent results.

"Every weekend he could be found either riding mountain bikes or trials bikes with his children and members of the Hope staff around the local Dales or further afield."

Mr Sharp is survived by his wife, Alison, and three children – Sam, Katherine and Heather.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Officers were called to an address in Flasby near Skipton just after 12.15pm on Monday.

"The body of a man in his 50s was found at the scene. An ambulance was called but sadly the man was pronounced dead.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been informed."