NICK Whitley claimed the biggest race win of his career in round one of the British Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series held in South Shields.
Whitley, racing for Coventry-based Team Enable – MI Racing – McCann, leads the veteran 50 to 59 years-old section following his sixth victory of the season.
And Whitley, who came into the race off the back of winning the first five counting events in the West Midlands series, attacked from the off in South Tyneside.
After establishing an early lead, Whitley was able to dictate the pace of the race, enjoying a clear run to the finish line.
At the same meeting, former world masters champion and fellow Team Enable member, Phil Roach finished fourth in the 60-years plus section.
Roach just missed out on a place on the podium before finishing third in his next race, competing in round two of the Leicester Series.
He finished behind teammate Kirby Bennett with the latter currently leading the series after winning round one.
In the same race, fellow Team Enable members Peter Busby finished eighth with Alan Parsons 13th and Ray Cochrane 19th.
Elsewhere, Lindsey Newman won the ladies 50-years plus race to take the overall lead in the series while Ryan Henry placed fourth in the veteran 40-years plus race.
Team Enable member Didi Egerton-Warburton ended her time trial season on a high by winning the Cardiff 100 Miles Open 10-mile event near Monmouth.
The current Israeli National Ladies Time Trial champion finished the race in 22 minutes 52 seconds, just one second outside of her personal best (PB) time.
Lastly, first-year Team Enable member Oliver Searle produced an excellent ride to top the club standings in the MI Racing Hill Climb Championships held in conjunction with Coventry Cycling Club.
Searle was also the fastest senior rider while fellow team member Peter Busby won the veteran class.
