TEAM captain Steve Fidler sprinted clear of his nearest challenger to win a major road race.

The 28-year-old was level with Paul Belfield from Stone Wheelers with 300 metres to go of the gruelling 60-mile event.

Steve, a member of Northwich-based David Hinde Racing, is well-known for his sprint finish, and pulled ahead to finish several seconds clear.

Steve, from Wistaston, triumphed in the senior category of the TLI Cycling National Road Race Championships at Audlem in Staffordshire.

The road race comprised four laps of a 15-mile route, taking in main roads and country lanes, and Steve and Paul made a break early on from the rest of the competitors.

“We broke after about 10 miles, and stayed clear for the rest of the race,” said Steve, who teaches cycling skills to school children.

“I make a break early on quite oftenas I would rather make a race of it. than stick with the group of riders.

“We gradually pulled further away, from the rest,and by the end of the race we had a three-minute lead.

“I’m pretty confident of sprinting, and about 300 metres from the finish I pulled away, and crossed the line a couple of seconds ahead of Paul. I was really chuffed to win.”

Paul is the captain of Dave Hinde Racing, and took part in the event with fellow team members Mark Hassall from Hartford, Mark Astles from Sandbach and Giles Bett from Antrobus.

The other team members are Dave Lowe from Alsager and Jacob Booth from Middlewich.

The TLI senior category is for 18 to 40-year-olds, and Steve received a national championship jersey and a medal.

His victory is one of more than 20 road race successes he has notched up since taking up road racing in 2009.

“Steve is a sprinter and a time trialist, and he has been building up to this event throughout the year,” said Dave Hinde, who owns Dave Hinde Specialist Racing Equipment in Manchester Road, Northwich, and is in charge of the team.

“It was a good quality field, with riders from all over the country, and we were expecting Steve to win it.”

Steve works as a Bikeability instructor for Cyclist Training Ltd, teaching cycle skills and road safety to primary school children across the north west.

He has been in the role for only 12 months, and it represents a major change from his previous job as a self-employed builder.

“I was fed up as a builder not knowing if I would have a job next week, and the cycling instruction job is really enjoyable and good fun,” he said.

Steve is set to take on another gruelling challenge this weekend when he takes part in a British Cycling stage race.

Saturday consists of a time trial in the morning, followed by a 50-mile road race, and Sunday starts with another 50-mile road race followed by a hill climb.

TLI Cycling is a voluntary sports organisation which organises competitive cycling events for all ages.