Road races prove a run-away success (From Gazette & Herald)

Road races prove a run-away success

The floods of the previous week failed to stop a fantastic weekend of cycling when the British Cycling National Road Race Championships took place at Duncombe Park, Helmsley.

Three of Britain's gold medal-winning team pursuit quartet finished in the top four of the men's race on Sunday.

Russell Downing topped a sprint-finish victory over Steve Cummings in the 206km epic, with Yanto Barko just clinching the bronze in another sprint from Olympian and World Cup rider Chris Newton.

In the women's race, Nicole Cooke made it six wins out of six in the combined under-23 and open age event. But the 22-year-old was run close by Rachel Heal and Emma Davies.

Two other races also took place - Ryedale Ride, which was a charity event in aid of Cancer Research UK, and the Ryedale Youth Challenge.

The charity ride had 113 starters, and raised around £10,000.

The Youth Challenge was won by Cleveland Wheelers, and a selection of the riders from a number of different teams got the opportunity to stand on the winners' podium at the conclusion of the main races.

Race co-ordinator Bob Howden said everybody was pleased with the way the weekend turned out.

"From the feedback I've got, the police say it went extremely well. Ryedale District Council seemed pleased. And the riders and officials said it was brilliant.

"We couldn't have found a better venue. We hope Lord and Lady Feversham feel they had an enjoyable weekend. Everybody was impressed."

Mr Howden said they hope to have the championships in Yorkshire again, as this was the first time in the event's 20-year history that it was held in the county.

Updated: 14:21 Wednesday, June 29, 2005