NIGEL Williams stamped his authority on Worcester St Johns Cycling Club's Spring Road Race by clinching a comfortable victory.

After winning the Evening News Trophy in the club's August race last year, Williams (Python RT) returned to Worcestershire in fine form in the 80-mile race against a classy field.

The speed was high from the start and, at the end of the first of five laps, 11 riders edged clear of the 70 man field, including Williams and other favourites, Danny Axford (Parrot Print), Matt Bottrill (Jim Walker RT) and Worcester-based Adrian Bird (Arctic RT).

However, the main field never let up and their lead went up to a maximum of 1-10 before collapsing steadily. Bird was left behind as he struggled with a damaged rear wheel. With a lap to go, the break began to fragment as the miles and attacks by Axford and others took their toll.

Eventually Williams, Axford and Bottrill edged away as the remains of the break were swallowed by the fast moving bunch.

Moving along the finishing straight for the last time, Williams put in a powerful sprint to take the win a length clear of Axford and third placed Bottrill.

The main field came in 20 seconds back with Matt Ackland (Bynea CC) just off the front for fourth, and former professional and Saints honorary life member Ian Fagan taking fifth. Shropshire-based Fagan is making a good comeback this year, riding with some success in the veteran's races and also showing the youngsters how it's done on occasions.

Among the local riders, Gavin Poupart was well up in the sprint, snatching seventh, with Bird recovering from his mechanical problems to take 11th, and Steve Dring placing 16th.

In Saturday's 10-mile time trial at Severn Stoke, Stourbridge's Roger Iddles made light work of the windy conditions to take the Charlie Greig Memorial Trophy in a time of 21.51.

Saints riders did particularly well in the 39-rider field, with Poupart clocking 22.52 for second place. In third was Chris Morris (Wyre Forest CRC) with 23.01, closely followed by Steve Lynn, of Stourbridge, 13 seconds back and Saints' in-form veteran Dave Walker fifth with 23.16. Alexandra Laycock (Stourbridge) was the fastest lady with 26.10.

Mick Potter took ninth with 23.44 and Jon Newey tied in 14th with John Callaghan (Wyre Forest CRC) on 24.38. Rachel Stubbs was the only Saints' lady to compete, the event being her first at the distance. She finished with 31.21.