Oakworth’s Team Raleigh rider Tom Moses was the convincing winner of the Yorkshire Road Champ-ionship on Sunday.

Eighty-five miles of the gruelling Penny Pot Circuit on the moors above Harrogate whittled down the elite/senior field of 60 riders to a select group of about ten in the closing laps.

Moses – who also won the Wakefield-based John May Memorial Race last week – bided his time and watched attacks from others that included Tom Stewart (Sportscover) before launching his race-winning move.

He gambled everything on a final solo effort that saw him cover the last few miles from Norwood to the top of Bland Hill with Stewart and Dean Down-ing (Madison Genesis) chasing.

As he crossed the line, the pain and relief was etched across his face. Timing his effort to perfection and unable to pedal further he freewheeled towards the congratulations of his family and supporters.

All hell broke loose on lap three when a large group from the main field decided it was time to shake things up and bridge to the leaders.

Downing, Alistair Kay, Stewart, Ashley Proctor, John Tanner, Kit Gilham, Moses – and his brother Joe – moved across to the leaders and the first selection had been made.

Keighley’s Tom Barras (Wheelbase Altura) missed the break and was having difficulty attempting to bridge on his own. He later retreated to the second group.

As the bell sounded for the final lap, Doncaster rider Stewart, who has been showing great form in the early season premier calendar races, put in a brave solo attack over Bland Hill. He quickly opened a gap of over 15 seconds and, as the chasers came into view, it was Gilham leading with Stewart’s Sportscover team-mate Joe Moses policing the chase. Tucked in the wheels but staying vigilant was Tom Moses.

Stewart was reeled back in on the long straight section of Penny Pot Lane.

At the finish line, the commissaires announced to the growing crowd there was a single breakaway rider leading up to the finish.

Sure enough, Tom Moses appeared at the top of the climb to take his first Yorkshire Championships.

Stewart was clearly disappointed with second, Downing was third and Joe Moses tenth.

Olympic stars Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, who were out on a training ride, were part of the large crowd on the finishing line.