Teenager James Jenkins took his first ever road race victory as he saw off a strong field to triumph and win the Andrews Trophy.

Hosted by Southend Wheelers, 19-year-old Jenkins made a bold move just two kilometres from the finish of the course in Hanningfield on Saturday.

It completed a one-two for the Leigh-based Richardsons-Trek team, with Simon Alexander coming second and Pearce Cycles’ Oliver Richardson completing the podium.

And Jenkins, who is also from Leigh, was pleased to find himself the right side of a split in the race after a horse caused a crash at the midway point of the race.

“Going into Howe Green, we passed the horse with no problem,” said Jenkins, who had taken a fine second place in Gits, Belgium just a week before. “But it was the bunch behind us that had the issues.”

“There were bodies everywhere,” added Richardsons-Trek’s Matthew Clements. “The officials had neutralised the race, as the horse was initially being ridden on the road but the rider then took it down what looked like a long driveway or bridal path.

“We all started to brake and change down the gears, but I think the sound and speed at which we approached spooked the horse and it just leapt back out in front of us. One guy went over the bars and there were others in a ditch but thankfully, no real harm was done.”

The race, which was raced at an average speed of 27mph from the gun, saw five riders the right side of the split including Jenkins and Canvey based teammate George Wood.

Although there were no injuries to either the competitors, horse or it’s rider, the incident had split the bunch in half and left some lingering confusion with four laps to go.

However, Richardsons-Trek remained firmly in control. And, as Wood set a fast past at the front, Jenkins and Alexander pounced as the chasing group approached.

“It was a pretty grim final five kilometres,” Jenkins added. “George was softening everyone up by setting a blistering pace. I sat at the back of the bunch, aware that Simon Alexander was bridging from the second group over to us.

“In the last two kilometres, the group caught George and at this point I attacked.

“Simon worked his way to the front of the chasers, as I opened up a 20-metre gap. On the final stretch of Pan Lane I was full gas and won by a comfortable margin.”

Wood closed in fourth position and while Southend Wheelers’ trio of riders Dan Pugh, Chris Smith and Robert Staines found their home race hard going, the latter - the youngest competitor - completed the course as others dropped out.

For full results, visit southendwheelers.org.