MATT Nowell was the best performing rider in Canyon Eisberg colours during the latest Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic on Sunday.

The Northwich ace was in determined mood in Melton Mowbray, but was unable to follow when a decisive selection was made and finished 28th overall.

Gabriel Cullaigh (Team Wiggins) emerged victorious from a scrap with ONE Pro Cycling’s Karol Domagalski over the final few kilometres.

Those two found themselves in a break of seven for the closing stages, but saw off their rivals one by one while Nowell was the highest-placed Canyon Eisbert rider in a third chase group.

Punctures for three of those contenders left a lead group of four to battle for honours, while Nowell was the highest-placed Canyon Eisberg rider in a third chase group.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an encouraging start to a new season, his second in the professional ranks, after capping a gruelling day in the saddle with 15th place at the Chorley Grand Prix the previous week.

A lively opening to the Spring Cup curtain-raiser saw more than a dozen riders jump clear, including the former Sir John Deane’s College student, and quickly build a lead.

However Nowell, who narrowly missed out on the KOM (King of the Mountains) prize to race-winner Domagalski, was outnumbered by rivals from other teams.