GRAHAM Briggs stamped his authority on this year's Elite Series by storming to victory in Abergavenny's Wales Open Criterium last Friday night.

It was the third victory out of the four stages of the series so far for Doncaster ace Briggs after triumphing in Brighouse and Stafford in the opening rounds, while he was second to Tobyn Horton in the other race at Stockton-on-Tees.

And the victory in Abergavenny puts Briggs well ahead of Horton in the overall standings with only three more rounds left this month.

Thankfully, the rain stayed away from the Abergavenny circuit until the Get Connected Wales Open Criterium night had finished, leaving the roads dry and fast for the men who signed on.

Two groups developed, with Team Raleigh-GAC ace Briggs in the front breakaway of five riders before they all came back together as the hour of racing was up and the five finishing laps of the circuit began.

There was nothing in it as the riders increased the momentum to break-neck speeds around the tight and twisting circuit that included a hairpin bend at around halfway.

But, on the last lap and with the finishing barrier in his sights, Briggs seized his chance and drove to the line down the final 100 metres.

The rest of the bunch had no answer and Briggs raised his arms in salute well before the chequered flag, clear by ten metres from second-placed James McCallum of Rapha Condor, with Node 4-Giodana's Rico Rodgers in third, three seconds behind the winner.

Briggs said later, "I got away with 100 metres to go, I got the gap and then that was it. That was on the back straight and I knew when I got the gap that I could hold it.

"I haven't been training too much and I've just been letting the racing take its' effect. It was hurting a bit tonight but luckily everyone else was hurting as well.

"I have got a few points in the intermediate sprints as well on the night so it has put me a good position in the series. The guys in the team rode well again for me.

"From the off, it looked a bit dodgy with the weather but it was nice to have a dry event and the support was really good out there.

"I'm starting to believe in myself that I'm pretty quick at the finishes now so that if I can get in the right place, I can make the podium.

"I am just building on the confidence of each time and that I can do it more and more so I can't complain."

Briggs also praised the fast course, saying, "It was quick on the corners and you had to be tucked in there.

"I was second here last year and I wanted to go one better than that this time. It has worked out well.

"It is a really good circuit. It is quite technical and the hairpin is quite tough. That gets to you after about 25 times of going around it!

"These races (Elite Series) are the roots of British cycling so you have to keep supporting them and ride them hard.

"It was televised tonight so it is good for the town, good for the riders - good for everyone."

Last year's Abergavenny winner and reigning Elite Series champion Dean Downing had been suffering from laryngitis during the week and was wavering whether he would ride in Abergavenny.

But he gave it a go and finished a respectable eighth, 18 seconds behind Briggs, while Pontyclun's Dale Appleby, who was also in the original group of five at the front of the race, was the highest finishing Welshman, coming home in sixth place, four seconds adrift of the winner.

And one of the best performances of the night came from Cardiff Jif's Zachery May. He was ninth overall but picked up the Under-23 title.