NORTH Devon Wheelers organised their first race of the new season last Sunday. The 106 kilometre Stags Head road race which is held in the South Molton area proved extremely popular with a full field of 60 riders starting the event. The race went as the form book suggested with 2002 Welsh Commonwealth Games representative Anthony Malarczyk taking the close sprint for victory from local man Mid Devon CC?s Andy Parker. Third place went to an overseas visitor, Frenchman Benoit Lagorce. It was mixed fortunes for the two North Devon Wheelers entered as Steve Sage was dropped from the main pack on the first hill of the race and despite putting in a strong chase with three others to try and regain contact they were unfortunate not to see they front of the race again. Meanwhile Steve?s brother Phil Sage was having a good race and was comfortably riding in the main group until after around 90 kilometres he too lost contact with the group as the long, arduous race began to take itstoll. This weekend the Sage brothers will be joined by more of their clubmates in another Wheelers promotion, the Round The Houses 32 mile time trial at Bishops Tawton.