Olympic star Joanna Rowsell joins riders at Shrewsbury Grand Prix

Rowsell warmed up for yesterday's Shrewsbury Grand Prix by racing the Newport Shropshire CC 10 at Hodnet.

In foul conditions Dave Griffiths took the overall win in 21 minutes 12 seconds to extend his lead at the top of the series to 85 points with his fourth win in six rounds.

He said: "I was very pleased. Apart from the rain the conditions weren't too bad, a light head wind out and bit of a tail wind on the return.

"For Shropshire it's a lovely smooth course, just a bit drier would be nice!"

Griffiths outpaced runner-up Steve York by 1:02, with the Wrekinport rider squeezing things up at the top of the standings after outpacing Mid Shropshire Wheelers' Tony Harvey by a slim three seconds to move within 15 points of Ludlow's James Griffiths, fourth County rider and fifth overall in 22:45. It was Rowsell who stopped it from being a straight top five for the county with a terrific ride of 22:34 to grab fourth.

Jenny York, more used to winning, had to be content with the runner-up spot and leading county lady as she extended her lead at the top of the ladies' table with a fine 25 minutes exactly.

York said: "It was good meeting and racing with Joanna, there was a really good atmosphere at the event with her presence.

"My goal was to get a second place behind her and with the bad conditions I was more than pleased with the result. The outward leg was so hard into the head wind but it was a case of pushing hard to feel the benefit on the return leg."

York not only extended her lead in the standings to 50 points, she also became the first ever female to top the veterans' table thanks to a great +4:26, only beaten on the day by Tony Harvey in +4:42.

Devon Round, 14, took over the lead of the junior standings with a fine effort of 24 minutes exactly.

In the top club award Wrekinsport CC added extended their lead over Paramount CRT by 45 points.