THE 33rd staging of the Severn Bridge Road Race on Sunday saw a breathtaking solo finish as well as a fine showing from several Bristol-based riders.

The titanic cycling race, which began at Olveston Sports and Social Club and ended at Old Down while taking in some of South Gloucestershire's most picturesque spots, was once again a huge success, despite very cold conditions.

In the end, there was a surprise on the podium as French flyer Benoit Lagorce, of the CycleEurope/Bianchi team, stormed to victory after expertly breaking away from a lead pack of five riders that had led for long periods.

Lagorce seized his opportunity after pre-race favourite and Olympic star Julian Winn had retired on the seventh lap after a quiet and uncomfortable start.

Having spent much of the year racing in tropical climates, Winn struggled in the cold conditions and was well back in the central pack when he left the race. The race was a 100km (63-mile) epic made up of ten laps of a road circuit that took in Old Down, Alveston, Elberton, Olveston, Tockington and Old Down Hill.

Organised by Bristol Road Club, the race had 53 starters out of an original line-up of 60, including Bristol-based riders Ben Luckwell, Kevin Grant and Alan Griffiths, who were all impressive throughout.

The race was dominated by a lead pack of eight riders right up to the last lap.

As the bell sounded, Lagorce, Graham Laxford, Andrew Parker, James Dobbin and Luckwell all broke away and, with barely one kilometre to go and on the very last climb of Old Down Hill, Lagorce attacked the course with such strength that he was instantly all alone at the front.

In a fine race finish, the French ace peddled well clear to cross the finish line comfortably ahead of the final lead pack, with fellow countryman Jules Birks providing another surprise in eventually finishing second, five seconds behind.

Devon-based rider Andrew Parker finished third, ten seconds behind, while Bristol's Ben Luckwell was the local hero after claiming fourth.

The 'King of the Mountains' title, awarded to the best overall hill climber throughout the race, was also won by that man Lagorce.

Meanwhile, the best third category rider was Bristol's Kevin Grant, while the best fourth category rider was Cheltenham man Kurt Green. The best junior rider on show was 12th-placed Rowan Boswood.

The race had 36 finishers, with a number of riders retiring due to the heavy wind and cold conditions.