ICE that had seeped from fields and across the road in a number of places delayed the start of the Primavera Cycling Races for an hour. Officials went out, spread bags of salt and swept away the slush from the start at Hatherleigh.

The event was organised by the Mid-Devon Cycling Club.

Once underway the action came thick and fast. With the wind on their backs speeds of 40 mph. were seen on the flat sections of the course. It was a different story when fighting the elements.

When the race for elite, first, second and third category riders reached Halwill Junction for the first time the lap prize went to the current South Of England champion, Matt Downie.

Soon afterwards a group of 12 riders broke clear. They opened up a gap of nearly two minutes before the bunch reacted. It closed to 40 seconds on lap two where Michael Mottram from Wallingford took the honours.

On lap three the prize went to Marcin Bialoblocki, Polish time trial champion.  The pace he set with help from the others was taking its toll. Bit by bit the front group reduced in numbers. Downie took the fourth and final lap prize before the run back to the Hatherleigh finish line commenced.

Bialoblocki continued to attack with such effect that with one mile to go he only had three companions. On the town by-pass he surged clear to win by 13 seconds from Downie and Rupert Graham of the Spirit Tifosi Race Team. Lee Frost came in 30 seconds later. The next riders were up to two minutes behind the flying Pole. The main bunch were more than four minutes back.

The support race was slightly slower but none the less aggressively ridden. The first lap prize went to Callum Deakin of Mid-Devon Cycling Club. Deakin subsequently punctured – one of many to fall victim to the many pot holes littering the course. On lap two there was an attack from Harry Birchill, also Mid-Devon CC. He opened up a gap of one minute before thinking better of it. He drifted back to the bunch. Undeterred Birchill took the third and final lap prize.

On the run back to the finish line seven riders opened up a small gap. This was pegged back to 13 seconds at the line.

In the sprint for the line Birchill held off Rom Nancarrow, University of Exeter and Oliver Yates, Somerset Road Cub by several lengths.  Just behind and in sixth place was Invicta Games medallist Andrew White, formerly Okehampton CC but now in the BPM coaching team.