Louis Rose-Davies claimed seventh spot in the Clayton Spring Classic in Clitheroe on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who was crowned national junior champion last season, attempted without success to bridge to the lead group and eventual winner Ryan Perry late on.
Andy Tennant‘s Canyon Eisberg debut ended in a 15th-place finish as he and Jack Pullar spent much of the day in the main group.
With three laps of the 90km race remaining and the catch already made, lone leader Glenn Hale was pursued by a group of 10 driven by former Team Raleigh time trial specialist Perry.
At this point, Pullar, Rose-Davies and Tennant were safely ensconced in the main group, which were being held around 30 seconds from the front of the race.
Perry was producing a determined ride and with one lap remaining, he jumped clear of the lead group in a bid for solo glory.
Rose-Davies attacked in an attempt to bridge the gap to the front of the race, quickly narrowing the deficit to 20 seconds.
But it wasn’t to be, with Drag2Zero’s Perry claiming victory in the curtain-raiser for the northern road racing season.
Rose-Davies crossed the line in seventh position, a handful of seconds down on the escapees, with Tennant 15th as the race split apart in the closing stages.
Elsewhere, Max Stedman finished ninth in Devon’s Primavera Road Race, which was won by Marcin Bialoblocki.
Opie still has the fire in his belly