KENNAUGH WINS JUNIOR CHAMPS

UNDERLINING his form ahead of next weekend?s Junior Tour of Wales, Peter Kennaugh (Pinarello RT) won the National Junior Road Race Championship in a four-up sprint finish at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, on Sunday.

The Isle of Man rider, who was third in the title race last year, stepped up to the top of the podium after unleashing a blistering sprint at the end of the 68-mile event.

He held off Jonny McEvoy (Kinesis UK) by one second on the line, while Team Corridori?s Erick Rowsell was inches behind in third.

A break of five had gone clear after 18 miles as they started the second of four laps, and established a lead of around 1-45. But the gap started to come down, and by the final lap Toby Meadows had been dropped at Bromley.

Their lead dropped further, and a chase was finally launched out of the bunch, with Rhys Lloyd (Liverpool Mercury RC), Luke Rowe (Recycling.co.uk), Sam Webster (Glendene CC) and Matt Jones (In Gear Development Squad) chasing hard.

Although they got to within eight seconds of the leaders, the line came just too soon for the chasers.

See this week?s Cycling Weekly for a full report.

Junior Road Race Championship (Bridgnorth, Shropshire).-

1 Peter Kennaugh (Pinarello RT) 68 miles in 2-49-46

2 Jonny McEvoy (Kinesis UK) at 1sec

3 Erick Rowsell (Team Corridori) same time

4 Mark McNally (Liverpool Mercury RC) at 4sec

5 Rhys Lloyd (Liverpool Mercury RC) at 8sec

6 Luke Rowe (Recycling.co.uk) st