James Harrison rode clear of the breakaway on the final lap to win round one of the new-look Bikestyle Handicap Road Race series last Thursday.

Still only 17, the Utmost Isle of Man Junior team member jumped clear with less than one mile remaining on the ’new’ airfield circuit and held on to take the win by a margin of nine seconds.

The six-man break - that also consisted of Will Draper, Max Walker, Tosh Teare, Mark Christian and Rob Sorby (the latter from group one) - had broken away from the bunch with around four laps remaining, shortly after group two had breached the gap on the lead group.

The wide open expanses of the former RAF drome offers little in the way of shelter, and with a brisk north-westerly blowing riders were head-on into the wind on the start/finish straight and the run up to the most southerly end of the circuit.

Harrison jumped off the front in the ’bus stop’ area and had the advantage of a tail wind all the way down the back straight. As he turned at the northern end, he dug deep to hold onto his advantage and cross the line with a safe margin in hand.

Canyon dhb p/b Soreen rider Mark Christian later admitted that, when Harrison went off the front, he looked across at Walker for a reaction.

But, unbeknown to the former GB international, Walker had already agreed with his friend Harrison that he would not chase him down if it came to a final-lap break.

The hesitation gave Harrison just the gap he needed to get away.

When the five chasers briefly sat-up, it enabled the combined bunch to get across, making for a massed sprint-finish for the runner-up spot.

This was won narrowly on the line (see picture) by Adam Kelly from Christian, Walker, Conor Davies and Teare (all full-time riders).

Anna Christian (Team Drops) was the lone female in the Elite race. She held on with group one until the two halves merged, then ’hung around’ on the back straight so as not to affect the result, crossing the line at the tail-end of the combined bunch.

Young Tyler Annis had earlier won the Sport race in a bunch finishhaving earlier got away with Niall Colquitt.

He had been graded in group three and positioned himself well in the final gallop to take the decision from Simon Harding (gp1), Callum Salisbury, Richard Fletcher, Richard Gault and Niall Colquitt (all group 3).

Plucky teenager Nicola Quaye (gp1) was the leading female in a strong seventh place, followed by globetrotting Kirree Quayle in 19th and Emily Looker 23rd (both gp2).

l Round two of the Manx Viking Wheelers-organised series takes place this evening (Thursday) from 6.45pm.

Bikestyle handicap road race, Jurby airfield, Manx Viking Wheelers (round one, Thursday) - Elite: 1, James Harrison 38min 01sec; 2, Adam Kelly; 3, Mark Christian; 4, Max Walker; 5, Conor Davies; 6, Tosh Teare; 7, William Draper; 8, Will Corkill; 9, Mark Horsthuis; 10, Zac Walker; 11, Matthew Cooil; 12, Rob Sorby; 13, Andrew Roche; 14, Tyler Hannay; 15, Ralf Holden; 16, Ben Christian; 17, Ross Thorley; 18, John Coppell; 19, Elliot Baxter; 20, Corrin Leeming; 21, Matt Looker; 22, Chris Kneen; 23, Rob Dooley; 24, Leon Mazzone all @ same time; 25, Anna Christian @1 lap. DNF: Jack Christian, Robbie Turner.

Sport: 1, Tyler Annis 40m 07s; 2, Simon Harding @ same time; 3, Callum Salisbury; 4, Richard Fletcher; 5, Richard Gault; 6, Niall Colquitt; 7, Nicola Quaye; 8, Alec Kneen; 9, Richard Cryer; 10, Nathan Slack; 11, Chris Mitchell; 12, Harry Snape; 13, Ivan Sorby; 14, Craig Hindle all @ same time; 15, Andrew Radcliffe @7s; 16, Paul Phillips @46s; 17, John Sanderson @47s; 18, James Whyman; 19, Kirree Quayle; 20, Nigel Tebay; 21, Mike Clough; 22, Thomas Kneen; 23, Emily Looker all @st; 24, Niall Quiggin @51s; 25, Jessie Carridge @1m 06s; 26, Hannah Howitt; 27, Carrie Wernham @st; 28, James Hinchliffe @1m 54sec; 29, Ian Skillicorn @st; 30, Chris Bulley @1m 55sec; 31, Owen Seal @1m 59s; 32, Neil Morrison @st; 33, Steve Franklin @2m 01s; 34, Javier Mata @3m 02s; 35, Nick Whitehouse @3m 10s; 36, James Scott @3m 28s; 37, David Carridge @3m 53s; 38, David Maddrell; 39, Matthew Cox both @st; 40, Peter Hounsell @1 lap; 41, Teddy Games; 42, Charlie Swales; 43, James Moore; 44, Russell Cowin; 45, Phil Swales all @1 lap; 46, Kevan Gelling @2 laps. DNF: Sacha Horsthuis, Michelle Gage.