THE first-ever Stella Farrell Exmoor Grand Prix cycle race saw 70 riders battled their way around the demanding roads between Wheddon Cross, Luckwell Bridge and Winsford.

The event was organised by Minehead Cycling Club and named after Minehead resident Stella Farrell, who was a prolific racer in the 1940s and 1950s.

She was a multiple national champion and record holder and is now almost 90. Sadly she was unable to attend.

The race was won by Yeovil-based Daniel Mcquillan riding for Tri UK who, with second-placed Duncan Heywood of the Cornwall based Saint Piran team, spent the entire 52 miles of the race at the front.

A small group of riders chased hard after them but were unable to catch up and Brennan Townshend and Ban Lockett, both riding for Saint Pirran, eventually finishing just over a minute behind in third and fourth places.

Seventeen-year-old James Hewyl-Davies, riding for Gillingham and District, finished fifth place and won the prize for the first junio, awarded by Stuart Lowen Butchers and Farm Shop in Minehead.

Daniel Mcquillan not only won the first place prize, donated by Neil Arnold Tyres of Minehead, but also collected a special prize donated by Minehead’s Exmoor Bikes for leading at the end of the third of the four laps.

Daniel was delighted with the result as this was his first road race win and he gained the necessary points to go up to the next higher category of riders.

Local favourite Graham Collins, of Minehead team Tanks Direct, had the watching crowd excited with a spirited solo attempt to catch the chasers towards the end of the race but he was unable to reach them.

He eventually finished in the main group of riders in 18th place overall and won the Minehead Cycling Club award for being the first local rider.

Steve Toogood, riding in his first road race, and Phil Walter, both riding for Tanks Direct, were the second and third local riders to finish, whilst fourth local rider William Fuest was happy just to have completed his first-ever cycle race.

The organisers expressed thanks for the wholehearted support of the Wheddon Cross community, including local businesses and the village hall, and the additional help of Huish Design and Marketing and a small army of Minehead Cycling Club volunteers.

Minehead Merlins under 16s cycling club held a series of mini races around the Wheddon Cross Sports Ground for six to 16 year olds alongside the main race, ending in time for the youngsters to be able to cheer the senior riders across the finish line.

Following the success of this inaugural event, it is hoped the race will become an annual event to run alongside the hugely successful Tanks Direct Porlock Hill Climb, also promoted by Minehead Cycling Club, which takes place this year on Sunday September 25.