THE sun came out to make the Thwaites Grand Prix that little bit more gruelling as it snaked through some of East Lancashire toughest hills.
More than 100 riders slogged their way along the 62-mile route from Burnley to Accrington watched by hundreds of roadside spectators.
Towneley Hall and park provided a stately setting for the start of stage five. The riders were sent on their way by the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Arthur Park. Before dropping the flag to start the 62-mile Burnley to Accrington section, Coun Park spoke to a number of the riders and congratulated race leader Chris Newton, of the North Wirral Velo/Kodak/Continental team. The riders then made their way out of the park to the official race start in Padiham Road.
One unfortunate rider came off his machine in Trafalgar Street before the start of the race proper but was uninjured and able to continue.
Only relatively short, the stage took in some steep climbs including the Nick o' Pendle and Beacon Hill before continuing through Slaidburn, Dunsop bridge, Chipping, Inglewhite, Longridge, Ribchester, over York and into Accrington centre.
John Tanner, who won the Thwaites Tour of Lancashire in 1994, eventually managed to break away from the pack to build a commanding lead and pass the winning post in Accrington first for the Gill Airways/Peugeot team.
Team mate Rob Holden was several seconds behind to finish runner-up with Joe Bayfield of PCA Composite third and Dave Williams of Team Ambrosia third.
In the sprints section held round Accrington town centre, Jon Clay won the first event with Chris Newton the second.
Chris Newton and Joe Bayfield are now joint time leaders of the race.
Today was the finale to the five-day, seven-stage race, which has seen more than 100 top riders travel 350 miles through Manchester, South Cumbria and Lancashire.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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