It is 13 years since Brighton teacher Mike Coyle recorded the second of his two wins in VC Etoile's Giles Ree Memorial Road Race.

But Coyle proved he is still a top-class rider with an impressive sixth in the 19th edition of the classic event.

It was held in constant drizzle over a tough 70-mile course round Handcross and Staplefield.

But Coyle (Etoile) forced a breakaway in the first few miles with two other riders and they were joined by six more, including Mark Jones (GS Stella) and Shaun Reed (Eastbourne Rovers).

The nine leaders steadily built up a three-minute gap over a chasing bunch of 50 riders and remained together for the uphill sprint finish which was fought out alongside Staplefield Green.

Coventry rider Darren Atkins (MI Racing) won ahead of Surrey pair Barry Elcome (Festival) and Ashley Freeman (Prestige VC).

Reed finished behind Coyle in eighth and Jones was ninth; all three crossing the line within a few seconds of the winner.

Coyle said: "I had a touch of cramp and it was very hard towards the end when attacks and counter attacks were coming thick and fast."

Atkins, 32, added: "It was an excellent race and I am every pleased to have won it, especially after having finished third in 1995."

The Midlander also won the King of the Mountains trophy, based on the leading positions on the long climbs of Staplefield Hill to Handcross. Coyle was second.

A minute's silence was held before the start in memory of Giles Ree, a popular Etoile rider who died in 1983 after a road accident.

Meanwhile, Sussex ace Sean Yates (Team Clean) clocked a superfast 50min.2sec in the Time Trial UK 25-mile event near Oxford, only to finish second behind Michael Hutchinson (Team MOT), who recorded 46min.21sec.

Only former world champion Chris Boardman has ever gone faster (45min.57sec).

Portslade rider Andy Payne (GS Stella) finished third in the Bournemouth Jubilee 100-mile Time Trial with 4hr.13min.13sec.

Dave Pollard (In Gear) was fourth in the Southern Counties 50 with 1hr.55min.21sec.

THE field for the East Sussex 100 on Sunday includes Steve Dennis (East Grinstead), Simon Prior (Eastbourne Rovers) and Tristan Court (Brighton Mitre).

The start is from Upper Dicker at 6am.