Finchley Racing Team captain Vince Divine had to settle for third at the La Flèche Waltonne Road Race in Leicestershire after being out-sprinted at the finish.

Supported by Ossie Assem and Canadian Nick Rossman, there was an early break which gained 30 seconds on the group but then Divine, pictured, and several others made a joint effort to catch and pass most of the leaders.

It was not long before the lead group of around nine riders put in a considerable time gap to the main group and on the final lap the break was all but five minutes ahead of the bunch.

Divine launched a concerted attack on the bell lap but was brought back with half a lap remaining.

The finish was on top of a two-tier hill and although Divine was in front over the initial part of the climb, he was swamped by the sprinters and had to settle for third position.

Speaking afterwards, Divine said: “I thought I had them on the climb but on the flatter section the two sprinters recovered enough to come around me.”