MATT Clarke underlined his growing reputation with a place on the podium for the Lincoln Grand Prix Cycle Race under 23 section.

The 20-year-old, a member of Halesowen Cycling Club, was beaten into second place by George Harper of the Felt-Colbornes Racing Team.

However, Clarke also finished 25th overall in one of cycling Premier Calendar events — the race was won by Peter Kennaugh of Sky, a team-mate to Tour de France winner and Olympic time trial gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins — to follow his impressive performance at the Tour of the Reservoir last month.

Clarke returns to action Sunday in the West Midland Regional Road Race Championships in Derbyshire.

Last weekend also saw the Wood Loines Halesowen Road Race take place.

It was won for the third time by Shrewsbury rider Mike Jones who is now riding as a vet but is an ex elite class rider. The best placed Halesowen rider was Jack Mills who finished in the bunch just ahead of Callum Ferguson.

Wood Loines Halesowen Road Race Results — Primes Lap 1: James Locker (V Sprint Racing); Lap 2: Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles); Lap 3/4: Sean Mungovan (Beacon Road CC).

Overall: 1 Mike Jones (Paramount), 2 Philip Mason (Climb on Bikes CC), 3 William Goulbourne (V-Sprint), 4 Simon Alexander (Bush Healthcare CRT), 5 Sean Mungovan (Beacon Road CC), 6 James Jenkins (Wyre Forest CRC).