In-form Hastings star Peter Tadros followed up his recent victories in the Invicta and Brighton Mitre time trials by winning the Southern Counties 25-mile race.

Sussex riders dominated the event at Broadbridge Heath, filling the first four places.

Tadros (In Gear) stormed round the course, that will be used for the national championship in June, in 55min.54sec.

In Gear convincingly won the team event with Polegate rider James Dear placing second (57min.39sec) and Hailsham rider Jon Sharples third (57min.45sec).

The Sussex triumph was completed when Steve Frame (Kontour Cycles, Polegate) finished fourth (59min.38sec).

Peter Moon (Eastbourne Rovers) finished tenth (1hr.0min.32sec).

There was bad luck, though, for John Limpus (GS Stella) who wanted a good ride on his 25th birthday but punctured on his way to the start.

Event promoter Robin Marsh said: "It was a very wet, windy and cold morning. Given the conditions I thought Tadros did a terrific ride."

Harry Featherstone (Eastbourne Rovers), the amazing 71-year-old veteran from Hailsham, has made a successful return to racing following a bout of ill health.

He clocked an excellent 25min.30sec in the Kingston Phoenix ten-mile time trial, beating his target time by seven minutes to win the veterans' handicap award.

Crawley rider Angela Brown (21st Century Airports) won the women's event (26min.25sec).

Sussex officials are hoping the success of the British team in the recent World Cup track meeting, in which they won four gold, a silver and three bronze medals, will boost interest in the Sussex Track League which begins on May 5 at Preston Park.