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

It produced an outstanding winner for 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 ten 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 was concerned their chances of victory had gone.

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

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

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.