TSCOTT Thwaites won a thrilling sprint finish to secure a home win in the men’s elite race as spectators were treated to another exciting night’s racing in the Ilkley Town Centre Races.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist from Burley-in-Wharfedale held off the challenges of Jack Pullar (Pedal Heaven), Keighley’s Tom Moses (JLT Condor) and the rising young star Tom Pidcock (VCUK PH-MAS Cycling Team).

Thwaites, who rides for the German team BORA Argon 18, bided his time until making a winning move to take victory in the Lister Horsfall Grand Prix.

It was a popular result with the large crowd who crammed The Grove and Riddings Road to watch the third edition of the race.

And they will no doubt have been delighted to see the popular Thwaites follow up by taking fifth place in the National Road Race Championships at Stockton on Sunday – an event women’s world champion Lizzie Armitstead had to withdraw from due to illness.

The roads of Ilkley were closed from 4.30 to 10pm to allow the field of riders to take part in four races.

The evening had kicked off with the Dacre Son & Hartley under-14s, who the young riders showed off their skills.

Spectators were stunned by the speed and bold riding of the young competitors, realising that this was only the appetiser and that there was even more excitement to come.

Joe Pidcock, a rider to watch for the future, took the boys honours while Ava Oxley-Szilagyi was the first girl.

Hard on their wheels came the MAS Design under-16 race and the mass start of the Ilkley Cycles-sponsored third and fourth category men’s race half an hour later.

The winner of the under-16 boys race was Dylan Westley (Chevin Cycles.com Trek while Georgian Ashworth (Cycle Sport Pendle) led the girls home.

With the party by then in full swing along The Grove, fuelled by Lishmans’ barbecue and Ilkley Brewery’s bar, riders in the AvantiGas Women’s Race got some of the biggest cheers of the evening.

Victory went to Rebecca Womersley (Drops Cycling Team) while the men’s race for category three and four riders saw Tom Denwood (Harrogate Nova) take top spot.

Ilkley Cycling Club were delighted with the support they received from local businesses and the people of Ilkley for what has become a popular annual event.

In addition to the race sponsors, Bradford Council, Ilkley Parish Council, Eme Cloth & Yarn, The Commute and The Black Hat gave backing to a fine night of cycling.