McLaughlin and Ogier cannot be separated

ON A perfect morning for racing not even a photo finish could separate Leon Ogier and James McLaughlin as the pair tied for first place after 1hr 50min. of racing around eight laps of the Talbot loop.

A steady start to the race meant that the early laps were uneventful with most of the riders staying together in a large bunch.

It was not until the pace was lifted up the main climb that some riders began to get dropped from the main group.

A number of riders, including Ogier, Paul Jackson and Matt Osborn, attempted to break away from the peloton.

However, none of the riders was given much space and their efforts were soon chaseddown.

It was not until the sixth lap that Philip Touzeau attacked and managed to break away from the main group.

An attack from McLaughlin at the bottom of the main climb split the main bunch in half, taking Matt Osborn, Ogier, Tony Bleasdale and Mike Serafin with him.

They soon joined with Touzeau and the group of six worked together to continue to extend their lead over the chasing bunch.

Entering the final lap, the lead group were still away.

Touzeau and Serafin both attempted to break away, but their efforts were in vain and Touzeau was eventually hauled in on the final climb.

McLaughlin and Ogier were pushing the pace on the front of the group and it was soon down to just four riders with only Bleasdale and Osborn staying with them.

As the riders rounded the final corner, the sprint for the line began.

McLaughlin led out the group and Ogier thought he had missed out on the win lunging for what he thought was the line only to realise it was still 30m away.

He continued to sprint and thought he had taken the win only for the organisers and a photographer to decide that it was all to close to call and awarded a tie.