Leaving his breakaway companion on the penultimate lap of the new Tunstall circuit at Bedale near Northallerton, Colin Humphrey took the lone win in atrocious conditions to take the North East title.

The pattern for the race was set as first year senior Richard Meadows (Pezula RT) broke away on the first lap of the 11 mile circuit in an attempt to instigate a reaction from the 56 man field, but was left to plough on until Humphrey took matters into his own hands and joined him 2 laps later.

With any further pursuers being chased down it was left to 22 miles to go as Meadows was dropped that Daniel Smith (Team Lacuna) also started his bid. Behind the 11 man Inklands/MTS realised they had read the race wrong as they caught Meadows, but had gave the ActivCycles-Corbridge rider, well known for his long breaks, and Smith far too much leeway.

The three man chasing group of Steven Ward, Simon Baxter and Keith Smith they formed with David Robinson (NFM RT) and Jon Sturman (Derwentside CC) cut the time of the leaders but still finished almost a minute behind the leaders.


Report from Steve Walton for British Cycling