Scott Thwaites, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, sprinted to a good second place in the seniors race at the Leazes Criterium in Newcastle.

The supporting race to the main elite event was watched by hundreds of spectators lining the parkland circuit and made for a thrilling spectacle.

Crosstrax rider Thwaites had been lively throughout and went for victory on the final lap alongside Wheelbase rival Stuart Reid.

Although Reid won the sprint for the line, Thwaites’ performance was sound and shows he is coming into a good patch of form.

Thwaites also won two of the four intermediate sprints to boost his evening’s work.

Meanwhile, Tom Barras battled to ninth spot in the Tour Series race at Southport.

This helped to lift his Madison.co.uk team up to third in the overall rankings of the prestigious competition.

The 30-year-old Bradfordian was joined by second-placed Tony Gibb and eighth-placed Jon Mozley in the winning trio, which left them just a point behind series leaders Candi TV-Marshalls Pasta.

The event at Stoke was disappointing for the Madison team, who dropped to fourth after managing to place just one rider – Nottingham’s Stephen Adams – in the top ten over the line.