GRAHAM Briggs sprinted to success in the Colne Grand Prix last night holding off a spirited challenge from veteran Dean Downing in a race which East Lancashire favourite Ian Wilkinson described as ‘brutal’.

Briggs took the honours in a sprint finish as the race came back together in the final few laps following a four-man break.

And it was the Rapha Condor JLT who had the legs for victory as he edged out Downing, who has finished in the top three in four of the previous five editions of the race, on the line. Briggs was delighted with the result.

He said: “It is nice to win. I am chuffed. It was a really fast race, it was on from the beginning.”

Team Raleigh rider Wilkinson didn’t finish after working to close the gap to the break in a bid to set up team mate George Atkins for the win.

“It was a brutal night,” said Wilkinson. “I would have loved to have got a result for myself tonight but it is a team sport.”

For a full report and pictures see Thursday's Lancashire Telegraph