The Linda McCartney Pro Cycling Team landed in Belgium with all guns blazing, as they took two top-ten placings at the Brussels - Izegem semi-classic.

It was a young team, featuring Tom Barras making his first appearance for the European squad, and his UK development squad spearhead Huw Pritchard joining the big boys once again. Team manager Chris Lillywhite detailed Huw and Tom

Tayeb Braikia, seen here at the Giro D'Italia, took 4th today - (39kb)

to look for early moves, with Bjornar Vestol, Matt De Canio and Dave McKenzie looking for the main chance. If the race came down to a full field sprint finale, all five were expected to work for Ciaran Power and Tayeb Braikia.

Chris intimate knowledge of Belgian racing was there for all to see, as the race followed his plan exactly. A strong field, featuring the resurgent Mercury/Mannheim boys from the USA, plus a detachment of American youngsters. There was the Belgium tentacle of the Mapei monster, Leon Van Bon leading a strong Dutch raiding party from Holland and all the Belgian kermesse specialists. Throw in good French sides from Francaise Des Jeux and Cofidis and you had a recipe for an explosive race.

Attacks came and went, the most dangerous of which featured Dutch champion Van Bon and Britain's Belgium specialist Roger Hammond, but it was tugged back by a determined Cofidis chase with a lap of the 10km finishing circuit remaining. The McCartney team massed together and charged up the outside of the fast moving bunch, manoeuvuring their sprinters into the best slots. Fastest man in the field turned out to be no surprise though: Fabrizio Guidi, FDJ's Italian sprinter. Tayeb Braikia was the best McCartney in a thrilling blanket finish, taking a superb 4th place. Ciaran Power was half a length behind him in 7th.

The debutante Tom Barras rode very pleasingly, only losing contact in the last 5 of the 189kms.

"That last lap were hell," grimaced the Yorkshireman at the finish line, but he and his manager were both well pleased with his days work.

"I felt the best I've felt in a long time," said Ciaran Power, delighted to be running into his best form three weeks before the Olympic Road Race. "It's nice to be able to get stuck in and contribute to the racing again," he added, referring to the phenomenally hard hilly Italian races the team have been in combat at over the past fortnight. Today, Ciaran rode near the front all day, mixing it with the big Belgians rather than being bamboozled by tiny Italians.

Tayeb professed himself to be pleased with 4th, "although it's always frustrating to come that close and not win." He too is better suited to this style of racing, and is looking forward to the top-ramked Paris-Brussels on Saturday and then GP Fourmies on Sunday.

Linda McCartney also confirmed that they are giving a late-season trial to the promising Irish rider Brian Keneally. He will join the team from the Giro del Lazio on the 16th of September until the end of the season.