Ben Granger wins the Rutland International CiCLE Classic

Ben Granger was victorious in the 19th staging of the Rutland International CiCLE Classic on Sunday.

Granger took top spot from runner-up Mathis Avondts with Dylan Hicks finishing in third place.

The event started and finished in Oakham town centre on Sunday for the first time in its near 20-year existence.

It attracted a field of 176 international riders with Granger completing the 177-kilometre course in four hours, 17 minutes and 44 seconds.

Teams from the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Ireland and, for the first time, Italy took part in the event as they faced the best domestic riders which included a Great Britain team comprising current Olympic and world champions.

The success of the event came 12 months after last year's cancellation due to severe flooding over most of the course.

Race director Colin Clews said: "This year the race entered uncharted territory with the finish in Oakham but it was a challenge which we felt was very much worth the effort with Rutland County Council offering strong moral support to the event.

"For the race to be based totally in Rutland for the first time presented a wonderful opportunity for the people of Rutland and local businesses to benefit from it."

The event is the longest ever running international one day cycle road race in the United Kingdom.