Fergus MuirThe farm roads of the Dengie Marshes in Essex were the scene of an epic battle between the region's top roadmen. Action started in the first mile and did not end until Andy Lyons (BMC UK) took flag three hours later, after a race of constant attacks and breaks.Fergus Muir

The farm roads of the Dengie Marshes in Essex were the scene of an epic battle between the region's top roadmen.

Action started in the first mile and did not end until Andy Lyons (BMC UK) took flag three hours later, after a race of constant attacks and breaks.

Lyons' chance of a win was in jeopardy when he punctured with only 15 miles to go, but a quick wheel-change and a hard chase got him back with the leaders.

The race was in memory of Chris Negus who was killed riding home after a training ride he had shared with Lyons.

Nothing goes smoothly in this race which includes a half-mile of rough track every lap, as well as miles of farm road where sitting in behind another rider entails the risk of dropping into an unseen pothole.

Lyons had attacked from the start with Darren Barclay (Arctic/Premier) but the race re-grouped. Jason White, active in the Interbike race the previous week, tried attacks, both alone and in company.

Also prominent were last year's winner Billy-Joe Whenman (Sport Beans) and top MTB rider Jody Crawford (Arctic/Premier).

In the final miles, Mike Jackson (CC Luton) led an attack. At the moment Whenman and Crawford made contact, four riders peeled off the front. By the approach to the finish, Lyons, Barclay and Robert Jackson (Team Toachin) were still there to contest the sprint, and finished in that order.

t In contrast the field in the Ciclos Uno road race for third and fourth category riders stayed largely intact throughout the 49 miles with the race ending in a 50-rider sprint.

There were prime sprints on each of the five laps - the first going to Simon Asher of VC Baracchi and the second to Richard Dunnett (Diss & District). Asher stayed just clear of the bunch for six miles but with the field keeping up a 25 mph pace no one sustained an attack for long. At the finish, on a climb over the M11 near Sawbridgeworth, Nick Hastler (Essex Roads CC) led the charge and Dunnett launched his first road season with seventh place and was best Under-23 rider.

t In the Plomesgate CC 10 mile time trial on the Sudborne-Tunstall-Bentwaters course, Lee Bark (Stowmarket & District 22:49) resisted a challenge from comeback rider Glenn Taylor (API/Metrow).

A lean and fit-looking Taylor finished just 20 seconds slower.

Ride of the day came from Emilie Fisher (Elmy Cycles) who recorded 25:03 to win the women's prize by well over two minutes from Julie Baker.

t In the postponed final round of the BMX Winter Series, eventually raced off at Royston, Norwich Flyers riders Alan Hill and Jason Mills took first and third places in to top Formula One category while Fergus Barker was the club's other A finalist, taking eighth place in F3.

Norwich Flyers host the second round of the BMX Summer Series at their track at Sloughbottom Park, Norwich on Sunday. Registration up to 11am, racing from 12.45.

t Results: Leading and local club riders

Road Races:

Tour of the Dengie Marshes, 76 miles, Burnham-on-Crouch: 1 Andy Lyons (BMC UK) 3h:7m:10s, 2 D Barclay (Arctic/Premier) 3 R Jackson (Team Loachim) 4 Michael Smith (Lotto/Interbike) @27s, 5 B Thompson (BMC), 6 Martin Smith ((AW Cycles), 7 J Crawford (Arctic/Premier) @2:08, 8 B-J Whenman (Sport Beans) 19 P Hargreaves (VC Norwich) @5:40.

Ciclos-Uno, 50 miles, Matching Tye: 1 Nick Hastler (Essex Roads CC), 2 A Christians (London Phoenix), 3 I Samuel (Crest); 7 R Dunnett (Diss & District); 8 T Stephenson (Ipswich BC); 21 K Woodruff (VC Norwich); 25 L Gentry (VC Baracchi). All same time.

Time Trial - Plomesgate CC 10 miles, Orford: 1 Lee Bark (Stowmarket & District) 22:49,2 G Taylor (API/Metrow) 23:09, 3 D Murphy (Cambridge CC) 23:31, 4 A Leggett (Stowmarket & District) 23:39, 5 A Jardine (Ipswich BC) 23:57, 7 G Frost (API/Metrow) 24:44, 8 M Donaldson (Anglia Velo) 24:45, 9 R Robinson 24:56, 10 Emilie Fisher (Elmy Cycles) 25:03, 11 A Pettitt (Stowmarket) 25:08, 12 P Ellis (Fat Birds) 25:24.