FOUR riders wearing the colours of hosts Weaver Valley Cycling Club celebrated a top-20 finish in Sunday’s Autumn Road Race.

Mark Astles, back with Weaver Valley following a spell with Dave Hinde Racing Team, was fastest of the quartet.

He classified 11th overall after an 80km race around an extended circuit of roads close to Pickmere, Antrobus and Great Budworth.

Kevan Underhill (15th), Tony Booth (16th) and Jim Duffy (17th) followed him to the finish.

Towards the front, four riders broke clear of a fast bunch on the penultimate lap.

Craig Steel (Lakes Road Club) won a sprint to the line ahead of Tony Workman (Lancashire Road Club) and Michael Glynn (Wills Wheels Cycling Club).

Jim Williams and Gerald Lacey represented Weaver Valley in Warrington Road Club’s 2-up 25-mile time trial.

They completed the course in 1:01.47 to classify a creditable 18th, while David Williams and David Crawley (Wrexham RC) took first prize in 51.28.

Meanwhile in Mercia Cycling Club’s 30-mile time trial near Etwall, Alistair Stanway improved on his previous best for the distance.

The Weaver Valley man posted 1:05.59, more than three and a half minutes faster than before, to rank 23rd overall.

Veteran Alan Shuttleworth was also in action, clocking 1:19.19 in the men’s 65-69 age category.

In-form Steve Irwin (North Lancs Road Club) clocked an impressive 57.46 to win by more than two and a half minutes from Barry Charlton (Swinnerton Cycles), while third spot went to Paul Fleming (Preston Wheelers) another 30 seconds further back.

Charlton covered the course in 1:00.22, while Fleming timed 1:00.52.