TOM Moses has successfully defended his title at the sixth edition of the Ilkley Cycles Races.

With the sun shining and the crowds out in their droves, the professional cyclist from Keighley stormed to victory in the Lister Horsfall Grand Prix.

Moses, who is sponsored by Madison-Genesis, escaped in an early moved with talented 18-year-old Oliver Rees of HMT Hospitals Giant Cycling Team.

The annual Ilkley Cycles Races event has built a reputation amongst racing cyclists as a tough circuit, with victory being a real badge of honour.

That was certainly the case for Moses, who admitted the eager escape was spontaneous.

He said: "I didn't plan to go that early. It's a hard circuit once you get away - you've got to press on the pedals all the way round."

At the finish, Rees was well beaten by his experienced break-away partner.

Behind them, there was a hard-fought sprint between Rees’ fellow junior team mate, Max Rushby and a local favourite, Pete Williams of SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling, who won this event in 2015.

From a photo-finish, the judges gave Rushby the verdict.

The races attract over 300 competitors from across the UK, many of whom commented on how attractive Ilkley is, with the testing climb of Riddings Road contrasting with the swoop back down on to the tree-lined Grove.

Record numbers took to the circuit for the women's race.

One of those competing was Staffordshire's Emily Meakin, who is currently based in Belgium.

This was her first road race on English soil and she managed to win in dramatic fashion.

On the sixth lap, Meakin countered an attack by Great Britain junior rider Abi Smith, taking the sprint prime prize in the process.

This caused a decisive split in the field with a very select group of five going on to fight out the final lap.

In the home straight Christina Wiejak went long, but Meakin showed the strength she has gained from racing on the continent and convincingly won the sprint.

She said: "It was a race that was ridden from the front - just a war of attrition really"

In his first attempt at a town centre circuit race, Sam Dickinson of Leeds surprised many by winning the Wheelbase Yorkshire GP.

Then, it was double delight for 14-year-old Ella Jamieson.

The Clifton Cycling Club member put in a sensational performance to win both the Under 14 and Under 16 Girls' races back-to-back.

Harry Ellison of Shibden Cycling Club won the Under 14 Boys' race, while Max Poole, sponsored by Bike Box Alan, took victory in the Under 16 Boys' Race.

Even organisers, Ilkley Cycling Club, expressed their delight at the support they received from local businesses and the people of the town for the popular annual event.

The Ilkley Cycles Races was enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, with crowds creating a terrific atmosphere.