The 45th running of the classic Grand Prix of Essex cycle race, over 102 gruelling miles at Halstead on Sunday proved to be an absolute thriller.

The race produced an outstanding winner in Chris Walker, the British Criterium Champion who now rides for the high profile Linda McCartney team.

With spells of appalling wintry weather reducing the 100-strong field to just 16 finishers at the end of four and a quarter hours of intensive effort, it was Britain's best riders and two New Zealanders who stood out above the rest in a fascinating rain-soaked contest.

The only 'espoir' (under 23) to survive the course, Matthew Bottrill (Coalville), began the day's action with a brave move after 10 miles.

By the end of the first 28-mile circuit, he had been joined by Doncaster's John Tanner, the former British number one who was to suffer an amazing three punctures, and 16 others.

By 50 miles, this group had swelled to 23 riders and so far as the rest of the field were concerned their chances of victory had gone.

All those predicted to feature in the final 'shake-out' had made the selection.

As the weather deteriorated from damp and windy to driving hail, five of the day's strongest broke away -- National road race champion Matt Stephens (Crewe), New Zealand Champion Gordon McCauley, two former Essex winners Rob Hayles (Southport) and Wayne Randle (Wakefield) and eventual winner Chris Walker (Sheffield).

In five miles three more clawed their way back to the leaders, Tanner (after his first puncture), Darren Barclay (Harlow) and Scott Guyton (New Zealand), to make eight riders clear of the field.

Behind, the race splintered into numerous groups, each fighting to withstand the terrible weather conditions and the constant speed, an average of almost 25mph.

At 75 miles, where 1995 winner Julian Ramsbottom (Scunthorpe) punctured and abandoned, the leaders were one and a quarter minutes ahead of the nearest chasers.

Five miles on, Tanner punctured again and the fancied Rob Hayles launched a series of attacks. Despite the increase in tempo, Tanner again succeeded in regaining the leaders after a dour chase lasting eight miles.

However, at the 90 mile point, Tanner punctured for the third time and his dream of a first Essex win was finally thwarted by cruel luck.

Hayles' attacks had caused Barclay and Guyton to lose contact and although they were recaught by the gallant Tanner they gradually slipped back to finish one and a half minutes down.

At the head of the field, with three miles remaining, Walker stretched his remaining four rivals to the limit with a blistering solo attack.

Only Randle and then McCauley could respond, but as this trio hurtled down the hill into Halstead for the last time Hayles made one final effort to get back on terms and made contact with a mere 500 yards left.

Sweeping around the final bend and onto Market Hill for the fifth time, Walker dominated the sprint for the line and brought the Linda McCartney team their first major victory of the British season.

One second behind, New Zealander McCauley just got the better of Hayles, with Randle and Stephens a little further in arrears.

Barclay led in Tanner and Guyton soon afterwards, but it was over four minutes before Chris Lillywhite (Walton on Thames), the former winner of the Tour of Britain "Milk Race" outsprinted Leigh on Sea's Andy Lyons for ninth and tenth places.

The best under 23, Matthew Bottrill, came in alone in 13th place, five and three-quarter minutes in arrears.

The intermediate sprints competition, contested through Halstead's High Street on each of the first four circuits, was won by Matt Stephens (13 points), from Wayne Randle (8) and Rob Hayles (7).

The final result of the Grand Prix was as follows: 1, Chris Walker, of Linda McCartney, 102 miles in 4h 11m 24s; 2, Gordon McCauley, of New Zealand (Team Men's Health) at 1 second; 3, Rob Hayles, of Doyle Pursuits, same time; 4, Wayne Randle, of Pro Vision/Planet X, at 3 seconds; 5, Matt Stephens, of Harrods, at 4 seconds; 6, Darren Barclay, of Arctic 2000, at 1m 32s; 7, John Tanner, of Pro Vision/Planet X, at 1m 33s; 8, Scott Guyton, of New Zealand (Linda McCartney) at 1m 34s; 9, Chris Lillywhite, of Linda McCartney, at 4m 10s; 10, Andy Lyons, of Arctic 2000, same time; 11, Mark Lovatt, of Pro Vision/Planet X, at 5m 41s; 12, Justin Clark, of Team Men's Health, same time; 13, Matthew Bottrill, of Middridge CRT, at 5m 47s; 14, Rowan Horner, of VC St Raphael, at 7m 33s; 15, Chris Ball, of Harrods, at 7m 34s; and 16, Tim Buckle, of Team Men's Health, at 7m 39s.

Uphill battle . . . the riders make their way through Castle Hedingham.

No time for liquid refreshments . . . by the time the riders reached Gosfield, the weather had changed, making the conditions wet and slippery

(Right) The winner . . . Grand Prix of Essex champion Chris Walker celebrates victory.

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