Dexter Gardias saw his British Road Championship effort curtailed late on as Steve Cummings completed a national double on the Isle of Man.
Only 12 riders completed the road race, with the Dimenson Data man, who won the national time trial on Thursday, soloing to success ahead of Chris Lawless and JLT Condor’s Ian Bibby.
Gardias, who was finally credited with 16th position, had been BIKE Channel Canyon‘s best-placed rider on the road after an aggressive ride on the two main loops of the island.
However, he was pulled out with two laps of the finish circuit remaining as the commissaires left just a dozen hopefuls, nine from the World Tour, to fight for the prestigious jersey.
Harry Tanfield had earlier made the first significant break of the day, while Max Stedman‘s race was ended shortly before that of Gardias as his group neared the eight-minute cut-off.
Stedman was 34th in the final reckoning, once again seventh in the under-23 category, replicating his result in Stockton-on-Tees last season.
Lawless, 21, who rides for American outfit Axeon Hagens Berman, was crowned under-23 champion. Highlights will be shown on ITV4 on Monday (6pm).
Elverson completes deals for exciting duo