The Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling took place over the weekend with an action-packed day of elite racing based at the picturesque Northumberland village of Stamfordham.

Taking the trophy in the National Women's Road Race, the Curlew Cup, was team IKON-Mazda cyclist Laura Massey. Elizabeth Holden of team Giordana-Triton took second position with Eleanor Dickinson, also of team Giordana-Triton, celebrating third place.

Laura Massey wins the 2015 Curlew Cup.
Laura Massey wins the 2015 Curlew Cup.

In the UCI Beaumont Trophy, Christopher Latham of the Great Britain National Team powered to victory. Putting in a strong fight and taking second position was Tom Stewart of Madison Genesis. Third place went to Yanto Barker of One Pro Cycling.

Spectators gathered in Stamfordham, the official race HQ, were treated to glimpses of one of the strongest fields of riders to date. Last year's winner and British Road Race champion Kristian House (JLT Condor) was joined by Olympic gold medallist Andy Tennant (Team WIGGINS), and 2014 Elite Road Race Series winner and One Pro Cycling rider, Yanto Barker.

Chris Latham crosses the line to win the 2015 UCI Beaumont Trophy.
Chris Latham crosses the line to win the 2015 UCI Beaumont Trophy.

Speaking after her win in the Curlew Cup, Massey said: "It was a funny race, it started off quite slowly and sedately. It was cold and we were soaking wet, with numb hands and numb feet, you couldn't feel your legs, so on the first few laps there weren't that many attacks, people were saving themselves for the big climb.

"I approached the Ryals with numb legs, which isn't nice, but hey, it's a race. I kicked at the right time just before we came around the bend and then as we came into the finish, gave it all for the win.

"It's a good challenging course, a challenging race and today, challenging environments; I wish we had more road races with similar conditions."

Curlew Cup podium  part of the Women's Road Race Series.
Curlew Cup podium part of the Women's Road Race Series.

The elite races rounded up three days of action-packed cycling in what is the ninth year of the Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling.

On Saturday, over 2,300 cycling enthusiasts got into the saddle and tested their stamina in the Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge rides.

Weather conditions were variable but nothing could dampen the spirits of riders as they embraced the 34, 64 and 106 mile routes, many in aid of charity. All routes took in the beautiful Northumberland countryside, including the infamous Ryals.

Earlier on Friday, families, friends and solo riders gathered to mark the official launch of the Virgin Money Cyclone and participate in the festival's opening event, the Tyne Six Bridges.

Rounding off another fantastic year for all of the events, Virgin Money Cyclone, Festival Founder and Event Organiser, Peter Harrison, said; "Today saw good hard races in the professional men's and women's events. It's been a really successful weekend with over 3,700 riders participating. I wish I could control the weather and take the showers away but it's been fantastic none the less."

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