Victory For ONE Pro Cycling’s Chris Opie

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All images ©www.chrismaher.co.uk / CyclingShorts.cc

 

Bunch Sprint Along The Riverside in Stockton-On-Tees Gives Victory For ONE Pro Cycling’s Chris Opie.

 

After three and a half hours and ten circuits out of town, the peloton returned for the final six Riverside laps and the conclusion of the fifth Stockton-On-Tees Festival of Cycling Grand Prix.

The race burst into life with one final lap, around four miles remaining, as the long time two man breakaway of NFTO’s Ian Bibby and ONE Pro Cycling’s George Aitkins looked like it would possibly stay away, slowly began to fade.

There was plenty of attacking out on the main course, many of the top riders breaking free, but never got much further than around thirty seconds.

At one point thirteen riders gained some momentum, and all the big teams were represented.

Approaching the final few main laps, Madison Genesis formed on front of the peloton, and the chase got underway.

Heading back into town, it still looked like the two leaders would stay away, having around thirty seconds advantage.

With half the Riverside circuits complete, No-one team had took-up the challenge of finally closing the gap.

An arrowhead formed on the front of the peloton, with JLT Condor leading them along. The gap had been reduced to fifteen seconds.

Team Raleigh GAC’s Evan Oliphant made a bid for a long one with two laps left, but JLT Condor’s Richard Handley marked the move. News came that the leading pair Atkins and Bibby had been caught around the backside of the course.

As the riders returned onto the Riverside Road for the bell lap, the teams once again formed into lead-out trains, battling for position, with George Atkins of ONE Pro Cycling in the front position.

The pace increased significantly, shelling all but the strongest riders.

It wasn’t long before the leaders where back in sight crossing the river for the final push.

Opie took the honors, with NFTO’s Jonny McEvoy taking second. Team Raleigh GAC’s Sam Lowe took third.

Team Raleigh GAC’s Steve Lampier started the race in the leaders red jersey and has extended his lead to one-hundred and twenty-eight points with Team Wiggin’s Andrew Tennant second at seventy-nine points. Third overall a point behind is ONE Pro Cycling’s Yanto Barker.

Raleigh GAC lead the Team Points Standing by a narrow margin from ONE Pro Cycling. NFTO are in third position.

 

Top Ten Results

1 Chris Opie One Pro Cycling

2 Jonathan McEvoy NFTO

3 Sam Lowe Raleigh GAC

4 Evan Oliphant Raleigh GAC

5 Graham Briggs JLT Condor

6 David McGowan Pedal Heaven RT

7 James Lowsley-Williams NFTO

8 Steve Lampier Raleigh GAC

9 William Bjergfelt  SportGrub KUOTA Cycling Team

10 Ian Wilkinson Raleigh GAC

 

Elite Road Series 2015

Spring Cup

• Chorley GP 04 April 2015
• Tour of the Reservoir Two Day 11-12 April 2015
• Cycle Wiltshire 10 May 2015

Grand Prix Series

• Stafford Kermesse 04 July 2015
• Stockton Festival of Cycling 12 July 2015
• Ryedale GP 19 July 2015
• Grand Prix of Wales 09 August 2015
• Leicester Castle Classic Kermesse 16 August 2015

Full Results can be found on British Cycling Website

Stockton-On-Tees has put a successful bid in for the 2016 National Road Race Championships. Further details will be released in the near future.

My photos are regularly updated on https://www.flickr.com/photos/23913935@N07/