Cycling: Claire keeps up fine form

CAPITAL cycling star Claire Thomas continued her recent run of fine form when she took fifth place at the Begijnendijk criterium in Belgium after being outsprinted in a tight finish.

The Scottish road race champion was ideally placed at the front of the 102-strong field entering the closing stages of the 98-kilometre event but was edged out in the home straight, with the Belgian rider Kelly Druyts pipping the Australian Kirsty Broun to snatch the win.

It was the second top ten finish in less than a week for Edinburgh RC rider Thomas, who had claimed ninth place at the Omloop Burcht last weekend.

Meanwhile, Livingston 21-year-old Callum Wilkinson of the West Lothian-based Endura Racing Team completed a successful outing in France, finishing 17th in the young rider category at the Rhone Alpes Isere Tour.