WYRE Forest Cycle Racing Club's Paul Prince sowed some good early form when he raced to a superb fourth place in his first road race of the new season at Darley Moor.

The 55km race over 22 laps of the motorcycle racing circuit took place in freezing winds with a strong headwind testing the riders down the back straight.

Prince made his mark early by breaking away but he was pulled back by the fast pack and secured fourth place after a sprint finish.

He raced to another top 10 finish in the third round of the Darley Moor series on Saturday, holding on for seventh place after avoiding three crashes.

On a windless day with ideal racing conditions, a field of 80 riders produced a fast pace and it was difficult for him Prince to escape from the bunch.

Prince will lead a field of 57 riders in Wyre Forest CRC's hilly 24 mile time trial on Good Friday tomorrow.

He last rode the event in 2002 when he finished second behind National champion Stuart Dangerfield who will not compete this time.

Wyre Forest have a strong contingent of riders with Karl Davies, Kris Doms, Jon Higgins, Howard Jones, John Callaghan, Gary Bartram, Bill Picton John Parker and Joe Rowe representing the district. The race starts from Cleobury Mortimer and is open to all riders, with the first off at 9.01 am.

The gruelling course takes in the climb of Hopton Bank to Clee Hill, onto Clows Top from Newham Bridge and back to Cleobury.

For more details contact Chris Poole on 01527 877948 or visit www.wfcrc.org.uk

Meanwhile, Wyre Forest took their first top 10 finish of the time trial season thanks to the pairing of Richard Pedersen and Gary Bartram in the Walsall Roads 2up 25 mile team time trial.

The race, held in freezing conditions on a course based on Gailey Island, Cannock, saw the district's pairing of Pedersen and Bartram power around the course in one hour, four minutes and three seconds. Dave Wood and Karl Davies finished in a respectable 1-7-27.