9:14AM, Mon Jul 2, 2012

Cycling: Russell Downing And Sarah Storey Win Beaumont And Curlew Trophies

By Daniel Salisbury-Jones Location: Northumberland

VIDEO: Cyclists battle the elements before great sprint finish

Endura Racing rider Russell Downing won cycling's 60^th Beaumont Trophy in a pulsating sprint finish.

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Riders travelled 107 miles through Northumberland countryside battling floods and high winds.

The race was the showpiece event of Virgin Money’s Cyclone weekend - which included races in Newcastle’s Leazes Park and Quayside.

Sixth place Peter Hawkins, who went to University in Newcastle was part of the sprint finish.

He said: “I am happy to get a top ten in the bag, it was a pretty tough race.”

Second place was taken by Chris Opie of Team Youth UK Pro Cycling, with third going to Marcin Bialoblocki of NODE4 Giordana Racing.

The points race, which was sponsored by Padon Contracts, was won by Pete Williams of NODE4 Giordana Racing.

Evan Oliphant of Team Raleigh-GAC took the King of the Mountains prize sponsored by Kielder Organic Meats while the Fratelli Under 23 competition was won by Scott Thwaites of Endura Racing.

Organiser Peter Harrison said: “The Beaumont Trophy is by far the longest running part of the Virgin Money Cyclone weekend. To win in its 60^th year is a well-deserved prize for Russell Downing after great ride.”

Paralympic gold medalist Sarah Storey won the first female equivalent to the Beaumount trophy, the Curlew Cup.

Storey said: “I pulled away with four girls and lead the sprint finish and ended up winning by a couple of bike lengths so chuffed.”