BRITS IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION

KATIE COLCLOUGH came within eight seconds of a medal in the junior women?s time trial at the European road race championships in Italy.

She was fourth in the 16.5-kilometre event, 1-01 behind the winner Valerya Konenko of Ukraine. Maria Mishina of Russia was third at 54 seconds. The other British rider, Corrine Hall, was ninth at 1-18.

In the junior men?s time trial Luke Rowe was 12th and Erick Rowsell 13th. In the previous day?s under-23 time trial, Alex Dowsett was 13th.

Today (Saturday) sees the men?s under-23 and women?s under-23 road races held over 151 kilometres. The Great Britain men?s team is Alex Dowsett, Ben Swift, Andy Tennant, Jonny Bellis, Mark McNally, Peter Kennaugh and Jonny McEvoy. There are no women riding the road race.

Tomorrow concludes the championships with the junior men?s and junior women?s road races. The men?s team is Luke Rowe, Andy Fenn, Erick Rowsell, Mark Christian, Alexander King, Tim Kennaugh and George Atkins. The women?s team is Katie Colclough, Corrine Hall, Lucy Martin, Jess Booth and Sarah Reynolds.

HAYLES WINS AGAIN

Meanwhile Rob Hayles enjoyed his evening by the seaside when he won the Blackpool Grand Prix, a round of the elite circuit race series. He beat Russell Downing (Pinarello) and Graham Briggs (Rapha-Condor-Recycling) in the sprint. Sunday sees the Tour of Blackpool Premier Calendar race. Read our Tour of Blackpool preview