BRADLEY Wiggins, Olympic silver medallist and this year's European pursuit champion, was a late entry for the Worcester St John's Cycling Club's road race for the Evening News Trophy.

After 153 kilometres of hard racing, the British international won the race by a wheel from Mark Lovatt and Danny Axford in a three-man sprint. The winning time was 3.43.20.

The race started in heavy rain, and the main move was made on the third of eight laps of the Kinnersley circuit, when Lovatt, of Ribble-Provision, Axford, of VC Prestige, and Bourne-mouth's Matt Bottrill forced a break.

Eleven riders, including Adrian Bird, of the St John's and Tim Wood (Stourbridge CC), quickly established a decisive lead, with Wiggins comfortable in the middle of the group.

Steve Dring and Gareth Sheppard (Stilton R T) missed the move, and the race was reduced to a hard training spin for the Worcester-based pair as they finished with the survivors of the main field.

The final act came in lap six, when Lovatt, Axford and Bottrill split the group on the Severn Stoke climb. Wiggins used his pursuiting skills to bridge the gap, in a brilliant solo effort across Dunstall Common.

It was then down to the final sprint, after Bottrill fell back on the final climb to the finish.

Interest switched to the chasing group, six minutes behind the leaders, with seven riders racing for the remaining six prizes provided by sponsors Ward Cycles. Grant Bayton punctured on the final lap, borrowed a spectator's wheel and regained the group in time to contest the minor places.

Making up the top ten were Chris Analey (V C Voodoo), Geoff Beetham, Bayton (both V C Prestige), Steve Hulme (Manchester Wheelers), Ian Packer (BCF) and Wood, with Bird the unlucky man. Axford won the points competition for the Severn Stoke Bank hill primes from Lovatt.

At the presentation of awards by Ward Cycles representative Jon Starkey, thanks were given to chief race commissaries Tom Fairgrieve, who has decided to retire after many years as a race official, in his 82nd year.