Keighley racing cyclist Tom Barras finished third in the opening round of the National Elite Circuit Series, the Crawley Town Centre Criterium.

Barras, riding for the Merlin Racing Team, was part of a break which went clear around two-thirds of the way through the hour-long event, which used a short circuit of twisting streets around the West Sussex town.

At one stage the four-strong break had gained about half a lap on the rest of the bunch but the gap was whittled down to just a few seconds by the line. Rival Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Racing Team) led out the sprint for the line as the bunch was breathing down their necks but Plowman Craven RT's Simon Gaywood rounded him for the win, Barras holding off Londoner Warrick Spence for third place.

The Circuit Series is a 12-race programme of events based on small town centre circuits and continues on June 9 with the Hillingdon Grand Prix. The following day is the Brentwood Circuit Race in Essex, and Barras will be aiming to continue his good start to the competition.

Meanwhile, in-form Barras now turns his attentions to the next round of the Premier Calendar Road Race Series, the Richmond Grand Prix in North Yorkshire, where he is part of a five-strong Merlin team. Also riding at will be Burley in Wharfedale rider Mark Thwaites, of the Kinesis UK team.