Cycling: Top-fives for Oakes and Bostock in Lincoln

Manx riders put in strong displays at historic race

Isle of Man cyclists, Ruby Oakes and Matthew Bostock both secured top-five finishes during this year's Lincoln International Grand Prix.

During the one-day event in the English city on Sunday, 10 May, Bostock went on to finish fifth in the Open race, 12 seconds behind race winner and Bostock's RCC Racing teammate, Oliver Wood.

Meanwhile, Oakes also put in an impressive performance to finish fourth in the Women's event whilst representing FTP - Fulfil The Potential - Racing.

In what was the 70th edition of what is one of Britain's oldest one-day cycling races, the Women's race was first away on a circuit which had undergone changes for the first time in nearly 40 years.

After a steady opening, a split opened up the field with Oakes keeping in touch with the frontrunners right up until lap six before dropping away slightly and into the sights of Anna Morris who swept past late on to claim the final podium spot in third.

DAS-Hutchinson duo, Morven Yeoman and Noemie Thomson went on to finish first and second respectively.

In the Open race, there was some disruption on lap two when a crash in the peloton briefly blocked the road - proceedings eventually resumed with all involved knowing only 44 of the 145 riders involved would be classified at the end of the contest.

Throughout, Bostock was able to keep himself firmly in the mix with top contenders as one of the leading riders in the chasing group behind those at the front but ultimately was unable to get close to eventual winner, Wood who held off the advances of Jack Rootkin-Gray (second) and Thomas Armstrong (third) on the final climb to take victory.