Thwarting a late bid by 2004 winner Neil Swithenbank (MK Cycles), Stuart MacGregor (C20 Multisport) stole a march on the rest of the field to win the CCS Road Race at Shilbottle on Sunday. Second was 2002 winner Bryan Poole (Andersons Racing), who went away with two of the 10 laps to go as Poole was followed in behind the rest of the initial 12-man break. Despite many riders suffering from a four-day hangover after the Easter weekend, MacGregor himself could not be excused as he was riding the three-day Girvan - but he was still part of a chase which had caught a typical first-lap breakaway after three miles. Hadrian RT's Chris Brannon started the move but was soon caught and dropped by Gordon Kemp (NB Group/Fox Racing) and MacGregor and team-mate Graham McGarrity as the deceiving incline took its toll. They were joined by a select group of nine riders made up solely of those who had either ridden the Girvan or Tour of the Borders, apart from Cleveland Wheeler Lewis Meadows and Hadrian RT's Keith Davison. As the bunch slipped back to 1-30 by the second lap, Davison did likewise as Kemp's team-mate Colin Ash, who had missed the break, attempted to bridge the gap and managed to get to within half a minute. However, he was reeled in as the gap to the leaders was only set to increase. Despite the lack of primés caused by the low pre-entry to the event, there was no shortage of action as the group continuously attacked the line to commence the next lap. As he approached the Shilbottle climb with two to go, Swithenbank made his bid, marked by MacGregor. Poole had also separated himself from the rest and he too was marked by McGarrity. Kemp was losing contact with the rest of the leaders but, as the gap to the next rider on the road, ,team-mate Ash, was 5-20, there was no chance of him dropping much further. With the four in front joining forces, MacGregor went again and this time the gap was decisive - but with veteran Poole in tow. As the pair took the bell, the group started to split and McGarrity was caught and passed by VC Azzurri's Steve Ward and Hadrian RT's Dave Buchan, Swithenbank launching his bid with Bannatyne CRT's Glen Turnbull, 22 secs in areas. MacGregor, though, was aware of Poole's ability, the Cumbrian having led the Scot by more than three minutes in the Girvan before retiring. While the pair worked to whittle away the final six-mile lap, McGregor knew he would have to spring a surprise to rid himself and of his opponent. MacGregor said: "I did not want to leave it to a sprint so I had to try something at the hardest part of the course." As such it was no surprise to see him attack Poole at the foot of the climb but in reality he need not have worried as Poole was unable to react, even to Swithenbank who passed Poole with 200 metres to go. MacGregor though calmly looked round and guessed he had enough time to raise his hands and yell as he crossed the line ahead with time to spare RESULTS - Coquet Cleaning Services Road Race: 1 Stewart MacGregor (c20 Multi sport) 100km in 2-46-00; 2 N Swithenbank (MK Cycles) at three secs; 3 B Poole (Anderson racing) at eight secs; 4 G McGarrity (c20 Multi sport) at 21 secs; 5 S Ward (VC Azzurri); 6 G Turnbull (Bannatyne) both st; 7 D Buchan (Hadrain RT) at 38 secs; 8 C Mark (Bike Tracks) at 50 secs; 9 M. Kipling (Alpinerootz.com) at 53 secs; 10 S Polson (Bike Track) at 56 secs. | 
