CALUM Croft’s impressive form this year continued as the Bridport cyclist rode to third place in the Bristol Grand Prix.

The Primera-sports.com rider finished just behind Stephen Bradbury of Velosure Starley Primal, with Dream Cycling’s James Phillips cruising to a comfortable victory.

Phillips managed to move away from the field so stealthily that Bradbury actually thought he had won the race on crossing the finish line.

Misinformation and a winding street circuit seemingly left the peloton unaware of the lone escapee.

And Croft later admitted he was glad that it hadn’t been him raising his hands in celebration at the end with Phillips already toasting his first place.

Analysing the race, Croft said: “The course was naturally faster than in Bath and the wind kept the bunch together more, but it was very technical so you had to concentrate just as much.

“Fifteen minutes in, a small group got away but we seemed to rein them in after a few laps.

“The slightly clueless announcer kept referring to the peloton as ‘the lead group’ for the rest of the race so most of us were none the wiser (about Phillips).

“A Pedal Heaven rider clipped off with four laps to go and I bridged solo a lap later.

“Two more joined us just as we took the bell and then halfway round I noticed I’d got a gap going through a corner and I just went for it.

“Coming up to the line I thought ‘this is it. I’m going to win the Bristol GP’, but Stephen was coming up fast on his own and there was nothing I could do.

“In a way it was quite fortuitous because you see guys getting it wrong and celebrating early and you cringe.

“That could have been me right in front of 4,000 people so I’ll take third over that any day.”

Third place in the National B event, which featured elite riders, sees Croft climb the national second category rankings.

The result puts him tantalisingly close to earning a first category licence, something he intends on doing slowly in order to enjoy some of the regional second category summer road races.

Following the Bristol Grand Prix, Croft won the CC Weymouth Summer Hill Climb, narrowly defeating Bridport rider and training partner Giles Greening.