Sussex ace Sean Yates came within a few inches of winning a world title at the Masters Road Race Championship in Austria.

Yates (In Gear), from Forest Row, and four others riders got away from the 140-strong field and they stayed clear to contest a sprint finish.

Belgian rider Konny de Martelere, a former world junior champion, just beat Yates into second place in a dash to the line.

Earlier in the week Yates, 44, finished eighth in the World Masters Time Trial Championship.

Yates has just signed a three-year contract to help manage the new Discovery Channel team from next season. The team will be led by six times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

Seaford's Dave Pollard (In Gear) finished second in the British Masters Time Trial Championship in the 45-49 age group.

Hampshire rider Ben Instone (A3 CRG) won the Bognor 25 at Fontwell in 54min.34sec.

Brighton's Mike Coyle (VC Etoile) was a close second, just seven seconds behind, and Pollard third (56min.7sec).

Brighton Excelsior (Mike Murray, Dave Fletcher, Charles Parsons) won the team event.

Steve Dennis (East Grinstead) clocked 54min.54sec to beat London star Keith Coffey (Bec CC) by two seconds in the East Sussex CA 25 at Maresfield.