Raleigh-GAC riders Russell Hampton and Graham Briggs were in a class of their own as elite road racing returned to Colne on Wednesday evening for the fifth round of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Race Series.

The fast and sweeping corners and descending finish of the 1km circuit around Colne town centre made ideal watching for the crowds who had come out to enjoy the rare summer sunshine and see some of the country's top cyclists in action.

They were treated to an evening of fast and furious racing from the two Raleigh-GAC riders who dominated the race.

Hampton and Briggs broke away from the main field early on, alongside Wheel- base rider Lewis Craven.

Unable to last with the fast pace set by the Raleigh duo, Craven dropped back to a small chasing group whilst the Raleigh-GAC boys continued to motor around the circuit.

As they entered the finishing straight on Market Street they had the race sewn up and series leader Briggs sat up to allow his team mate to take the win.

The Colne crowd were hungry for a sprint finish and they got that a few seconds later when Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Sharp) and Matt Jones (Corley Cycles) battled to the line for Downing to claim third spot and his place on the podium.

His second place finish saw Graham Briggs tie up the Elite Circuit Race Series with two rounds to go after earlier wins in Brighouse, Stafford and Abergavenny.

The 29-year-old Doncaster rider said: “That’s pretty much the series sewn up now, we’ll take it to the next round and see if we can get another team win.

“I’m pleased that Russ won tonight, he’s helped me so much this year, especially in the Premier Calendar races and the National Road Race.”

“Raleigh are doing well at the moment, we have the confidence and taking that to each race, we are gelling well as a team.”