Oliphant takes fourth in Chas road race

CAPITAL-BASED cyclist Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven) finished seventh in yesterday's closing stage of the Chas Messenger Road Race in Buckinghamshire, leaving him in fourth place overall.

Overnight leader Russell Downing (Pinarello RT) secured the title after winning Saturday's second stage – with Oliphant third – and also taking the honours yesterday.

Meanwhile, Gordon Murdoch of the Livingston-based Pedal Power Racing Team beat off a challenge from his colleague Scott Macrae to win the third round of the Scottish Power Renewables Super Six Series in Renfrewshire.

The pair overhauled Arthur Doyle (Dooleys RT) on the final lap and Murdoch produced the strongest finish to chalk up the win and move to the top of the overall standings.

Kate Cullen (Braveheart Cycling Fund) was the leading woman rider over a gruelling circuit.

Current women's leader Claire Thomas (Edinburgh RC) missed the race to prepare for yesterday's opening stage in the Bedford 2 Day Meeting. She made her trip south worthwhile with fourth place in the road stage. The race finishes today and switches to Millbrook Vehicle Testing Track, which is better known as the venue for the television programme Top Gear.