Veteran Sharp times his ride to perfection

Organised by Wakefield Junior Triathlon Club, the race got off to an explosive start as hometown rider Tom Seaman made a bolt for the front.

The 16-year-old Nutcracker Racing rider was pursued by eventual winner Sharp and Hope Factory Racing’s Mike Thompson, but managed to hold off their challenge in the early stages of the contest.

However, that changed four laps in when the young rider appeared to tire, allowing Thompson and Sharp to make their attack, leaving Seaman in their wake.

It was a moment from which Seaman never fully recovered and he continued to drop back.

Although he finished out of the top 10, his impressive, early attack was enough to ensure that he finished the race as the top junior rider.

Thompson had started the race further back on the grid and had to exert himself in the opening exchanges and he did not have the energy to close down Sharp as he went on to take his third win of the series by 38 seconds.

Seaman’s team-mate, Ben Lawson came home to finish in third place.

Matt Wilson of Pedal Sport won the Over-50s veteran and women’s race after peeling away from the front of the bunch around the halfway mark.

John Dick was second and Wayne Nicholson finished in third.

Several strong female riders entered the race and Beth Crumpton of North West Mountain Nike Centre was the top woman, finishing fifth overall.