WORCESTER cyclists have continued their good form as the season reaches its busiest period.

In the Echelon Cycles Road Race at Welland near Malv-ern, Adrian Bird (Echelon Cycles RT) held off the 55- rider field to take the victory.

Strong winds and torrential rain added to the difficulties facing the riders on the 79-mile race. Bird missed the initial selection on the second of five laps when six riders broke clear of the main field.

However, he worked hard with three other riders to cross from the main group to the breakaways, making contact some 20 miles before the finish.

Bird held off his rivals in a sprint for the line, winning by a couple of bike-lengths over Jon Pain (GWR) and Lanc-ashire's Craig Battersby.

There was a new name at the top of the results in the latest of Worcester St John's Cycling Club's summer time trial series. Visitor Russ Bazeley (Leisure Lakes RT) easily beat Saint's Steve Price, on the Norton 10-mile circuit.

His time of 21 minutes 52 seconds left Price trailing by 43 seconds, with Lee Suthard a further 38 seconds back. Juvenile category racer Dan Staines finished 14th out of 39 riders in a time of 25.45.

Other times: Dave Walker (23.26);Sean Dyson (23.40); Simon Garrett (23.43); Mark Scriven (24.08); Vince Page (24.16); Justin Barnett (24.16); Dave Preece (24.28); Chris Gibbons (24.31); Martin Staines (24.59); Mark Elliot (25.33); Dave Evans (25.50); John Wootten (26.33); Roger Suthard (26.42); Rick Allen (26.43); Ed Dursley (26.47); Paul Smith (26.56); Mark Taylor (27.03); Rob Diprose (27.25); Les Bailey (27.29); Mick Hedges (27.30); Chris Sherratt (27.39); Jon Finch (27.53); Martin Evans (28.03); Brian Lee (28.09); Tony Knight (28.23); Richard Aydon (28.33); Malcolm Bullock (28.39); Tracey Hall (28.46); Joe Page (29.14); Jeff Grainger (29.22); Harry Treadwell (29.22); Chris Connell (29.54); Ros Hope (30.42); Kim Bray (31.50); Gordon Chamberlain 34.14.