Association National Road Race Championships at Clearwater Park.

One was the poor road surface, which resulted in a third of the field of 45 riders sustaining flat tyres; another was bad luck as cyclists such as breakaway leader Mike Lee suffered mechanical problems.

Vance Stevens, meanwhile, treated spectators to something that resembled a gymnastics display as he was involved in a bizarre crash which saw his bike complete a full somersault after he struck the rear wheel of a rider in front.

And a clearly in-form Greg Hopkins continued his season of woes as he wrenched a back muscle.

But, at the end of the day, it was the "Sterritt factor'' that prevailed.

Despite being one of those who suffered a flat, Steve Sterritt still managed to fight back into contention and win a sprint finish to earn his second road race championship in as many years.

In what was destined to be a war of attrition in hot, humid conditions on a demanding 72-mile course, the top riders got off to a cautious start anticipating a long day on the road.

And it wasn't long before the glass-splattered roads took their toll as top contender Tim Palmer suffered a puncture on the very first lap and spent the remaining 65 miles chasing the main pack, never to make contact again.

As the attacks began in attempts to break up the big pack of riders, which included all the categories together, Whayman Butterfield, Stevens and Mike Lee tried an early breakaway as the other contenders watched each others' every move.

Sterritt threw in a number of searing attacks but was quickly chased and caught by Hopkins and Kris Hedges.

This was to become the pattern for the next 25 miles as a cat and mouse battle ensued and all the time a strong looking Mike Lee extended his lead.

Sterritt still number one From Page 9 Stevens, who crashed, and Butterfield, who faded, came back to the main pack leaving Lee trying to pull off a solo victory.

The chase was led by Jeff Payne, Hopkins, Hedges, Sterritt and Sinclair Packwood as all the other riders sat in until a series of misfortunes led to the final scenario at about 45 miles.

Hedges and then Sterritt flatted, Hopkins, who was looking strong, suddenly pulled up in severe pain, and Payne began to experience leg cramps.

It was then that the field separated leaving Packwood to try and organise Paul Shrubb and Aaron Schindler who had been sitting in mid pack all day to continue the chase of a now faltering Lee who was experiencing mechanical problems.

Sterritt and Hedges formed a temporary alliance to work back to the pack, picking up Payne on the way and with three laps to go they made contact with the leaders who had now caught Lee.

Sterritt showed his class as he immediately attacked with only Schindler able to respond. For the remaining miles the Irishman literally towed Schindler round the course, much to his annoyance, until the last 20 metres when he sprinted to a deserved victory.

Schindler came in on his wheel with a well deserved third for junior rider Hedges who had broken away from an ailing Payne who crossed the line in fourth clutching his cramping legs.

Shona Palmer showed she was on the mend from serious back injury as she improved on her second place finish in the previous week's Time Trial Championships, managing to stay with the main group of men for most of her 31-mile race before finishing ahead of a hard-chasing Julia Hawley with another return rider from the past, Gina Jones in third.

Another category to be decided in a sprint was the competitive Junior Two division which saw Tyler Butterfield, after suffering a flat tyre, chase back into contention and then contest the finish with Nuri Lathan and Andy Simons.

Lathan took the honours with only two seconds separating him and Simons in second and Butterfield third.

In the 62-mile category three race, Darren Dowling, making a return to racing, finished ahead of Mel Bennett.

Full results, see Scoreboard