Alexandre Blain (Endura Racing) has won the 2012 Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic.
The Frenchman, who won the Maldon Dengie Tour at the beginning of the month, attacked with 30km to go to win by two minutes.
Second place went to Jamie Sparling (Team Raleigh-GAC) while third place was taken James McCallum (Rapha-Condor-Sharp).
Blain said: “I’m very very happy to win this race. This has been a really important month with Dengie Marshes, Tro-Bro Léon (France) and today, the CiCLE Classic. I won Dengie which showed I had perfect form for the next two races.”
Endura Racing delivered another commanding performance, placing five riders in a 23-strong breakaway that emerged on the opening lap of the Rutland Water circuit. McCallum paid tribute to Blain, but was left to rue the misfortune of two untimely punctures.
“There was no way we would have caught Blain, but I was confident I was going to get second. I had a quick change, but still lost thirty seconds by the time I got going again. I chased back to four bike lengths in the end but it wasn’t enough.”
Of the 155 riders who started the race, just 24 finished. The race was shortened because of flooded roads.
2012 Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic – result
1) Alexadre Blain (FRA) – Endura Racing – 4.36.33
2) Jamie Sparling (CAN) – Raleigh-GAC + 1.59
3) James McCallum (GBR) – Rapha-Condor-Sharp + 2.02
4) Tobias Erler (GER) – Arbo Gebrüder Weiss + 2.39
5) Yanto Barker (GBR) – Team UK Youth + 2.57
6) Pete Williams (GBR) – Node4-Giordana +4.40
7) Wouter Sybrandy (NED) – Team IG-Sigma Sport +5.30
8) Iker Camano (SPA) – Endura Racing
9) Stephen Adams (GBR) – CyclePremier + 7.19
10) Robert Smail (GBR) – Team Wallis CHH
