IN-FORM Glynn Shirley (Fausto Coppi Racing) was crowned Yorkshire Regional Road Race Champion at Sheriff Hutton.

The race, which attracted the county's top riders, also incorporated the Peter Longbottom Memorial Road Race.

It was based on the tough Sheriff Hutton, Bulmer, Ganthorpe and Terrington circuit. At 17 kilometres per lap and a total of eight laps the course made for a highly demanding test.

Shirley and York rider Jamie Sharp were among the early aggressors.

They spent a lap at the head of the race before being joined by a large group formed from the bunch splitting over the early ascents of Sheriff Hutton and Bulmer Bank.

A number of attacks from this group came to nothing until Mark Lovatt, the 2000 Premier Calendar Series winner, headed a breakaway of four riders.

Two laps later the quartet were caught after a long chase by Shirley and Julian Grommet (Cottingham Couriers).

The six-strong leading group, including Daniel Fox (Fox's Cycles), John Rutherford (Fausto Coppi Racing) and Matthew Robinson (All Terrain Bicycles), quickly gained two minutes on the rest before the half-race distance.

Working well together, they extended their lead to four minutes.

With a lap to go, Rutherford and Robinson were dispatched from the lead group on the ascent into Sheriff Hutton leaving four to battle for the championship.

The quartet remained intact, and the race outcome was decided on the final climb into Sheriff Hutton after 85 miles.

The power and endurance of each athlete was tested right down to the finishing straight, but Shirley eased away for a well-deserved victory as the four lead riders were separated by a handful of seconds over the finish line.

Second was Grommet with Lovatt third and Fox fourth. Chris Young rode a strong final lap to leave his group behind and overhaul the two former lead group riders for fifth place.

Ian Holmes of the promoting club, Velo Club York, finished in tenth place and Sharp in 21st.

York-based Clifton CC rider Rob Osman was also a finisher, but clubmate Paul Musgrave was a non-finisher after puncturing in the early stages.

One of the pre-race favourites, John Tanner, (Ribble Provision), the National Road Race Champion, retired at half distance complaining of hip pain.

Shirley was presented with the Howard Amos Yorkshire Region Championship Shield and the Peter Longbottom Memorial Road Race Trophy.

It was the first Yorkshire Regional Road Race Championships as the new Yorkshire region was formed from the consolidation of the former West Yorkshire, East Riding and North Midlands divisions.

The main sponsors were Castle BMW.

Updated: 12:43 Friday, June 08, 2001