Eluned King and Elynor Backstedt sprinted to glory as the National Junior Road Race Championships produced a thrilling bunch finish.

After 50 miles of a women’s race where the main teams marked each other, King powered clear in the closing metres and nobody could match the speed of the Liv Cycling Club – Halo Cycles rider. 

It was Storey Racing who had looked to control the race and they attempted to lead-out Elynor Backstedt for the victory only for King to capitalise and take the sprint finish.

Backstedt took a fine second place a bike length behind while Maddie Wadsworth (Cycle Team On Form) finished third.

“It’s really good as it was quite a weird race as it was on and off so I’m really happy to win,” said King.

“The last three kilometres was so cagey as there was quite a few corners so I thought I had to stay in the top five, I would rather get rolled on the line than crash in the last few corners.

“I tried to attack three times in the last two laps but there was quite a strong tail-wind so everything was just coming back together.

“There were a few attacks but it was more people just trying to keep the pace high for the whole race.”

Some 31 riders competed for the junior women’s national jersey and left Bassingham to complete five laps of a pan flat 10-mile route in damp conditions.

After 20 miles of cagey racing the pace rose with several attacks on the wide and exposed roads which caused the race to line-out and several riders dropped off the back.

With six riders dropped from the bunch and pulled out some 25 riders came into the closing stages together with Cycle Team On Form and Liv Cycling Club- Halo Cycles patrolling the front of the race.

First year junior King broke away with eight miles remaining but was quickly chased down by the pack but she still had enough to win the bunch finish.