A SWATHE of purple cut through the Worcestershire countryside last Sunday as Halesowen Cycling Club held its annual road race.

For the first time this year the riders had to cope with the heat on this testing five-lap circuit, which comprises 14 miles of a lumpy course with some climbs as the racers approach the finish in Astley. With a large and strong field the course always favours aggressive racing and the riders duly obliged.

It was local rider Joe Hobbs who got away on the first lap only to be reeled back in by the peloton. One of the many attacks was bound to succeed though and Stuart Glover, Anthony Richardson and Oliver Hayward managed to get away putting a minute into the chasing pack.

However, Richard Bussell showed why he is the current National Hill Climb and National 10-mile time trial champion with a superb break bridging the gap on his own to the leading group with Oliver Hayward dropping back.

Meanwhile, back in the peloton, Halesowen were whittling down the field after a strong attack by Oliver Dighton put a significant number of riders in trouble.

At the finish it was Stuart Glover, of Rhino, that just edged out Richard Bussell in the sprint to take full honours. The bunch sprint from the pack was won by Halesowen rider Charles Walker.

Nick Clayton, in only his second race in the Series for Halesowen took a fine 21st place and won his category.

The riders have a short break in the Regional Series when the next race is held on 19th June in Herefordshire. In the meantime they will be racing in the Thursday night Staffordshire road race series and the Tuesday evening criteriums (racing on a closed circuit) at Stourport.