Commonwealth Games stars sign up for Tour Series start in Redditch - The Redditch Standard

Commonwealth Games stars sign up for Tour Series start in Redditch

Redditch Editorial 5th May, 2018   0

HAVING previously welcomed Olympic and world champions such as Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell Shand, the 10th edition of the OVO Energy Tour Series will feature 2018 Commonwealth Games heroes aplenty this May.

Long established as Britain’s leading televised cycle race Series for the country’s leading men’s and women’s teams, the 2018 edition of the OVO Energy Tour Series gets underway in Redditch on Thursday, May 10.

Defending men’s Series champions JLT Condor will be led by Welshman Jon Mould, who took silver in the Commonwealth Games road race.

“I’ll be looking for success there after representing Wales in the Commonwealth Games,” said Mould, winner of the most individual rounds in OVO Energy Tour Series history.




“I think the title defence will be tough; everyone’s gunning to win it so we’ll have to give it everything, just like we’ve done in the past.”

The Canyon Eisberg men’s team will feature siblings Charlie and Harry Tanfield, who came away from the Games with three medals combined.


“It’s good to be back in the UK and hopefully we brought the sun with us,” said Harry, who took silver for England in the men’s individual time trial and won a stage in the Tour de Yorkshire last week.

“It should be a good craic, being back with the lads again. I’m looking forward to the team time trial in Stevenage [on Bank Holiday Monday 28 May] in particular. There should be some really exciting racing and I’m interested to see how the new teams go. I think it is going to be really hard and really tight between JLT Condor, Madison Genesis, ONE Pro Cycling and us for the title.”

Other English medallists scheduled to compete during the Series are ONE Pro Cycling’s Chris Latham and Emily Kay (Torelli-Brother), who took bronze in the men’s and women’s scratch races respectively.

Storey Racing’s Neah Evans of Scotland won scratch race silver and bronze in the point’s race for her country on the Gold Coast, as well as finishing eighth in the women’s road race.

“Since returning home from a successful Commonwealth Games for myself and also Scotland, I’m really looking forward to racing on home soil. I’m especially excited about competing in the first-ever women’s round of the Series in Aberdeen – it’s very close to my family home so I will have plenty of support.”

Further Scottish interest comes in the shape of John Archibald, brother of Olympic champion Katie, and silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games individual pursuit, who will represent guest team Ribble Pro Cycling at the Redditch, Durham and Aberystwyth rounds.

Although he didn’t win a medal on the Gold Coast, Tobyn Horton’s seventh-place finish in the men’s road race suggests the Guernsey rider will play a key role in Madison Genesis’ quest to claim a first OVO Energy Tour Series title since 2015.

He said: “There are a few races I’m looking forward to. I’ve got a love hate relationship with Durham [Tuesday, May 22] – I’ve done well there previously and I’m in good shape for it, but it’s one of those very hard races. On the day, just five per cent can make the difference in deciding the winner.

“I like the finish at Redditch too; that little kick up to the finish line is good for me. Getting the Series off to a winning start would be great. Finally, I’m looking forward to Aberystwyth, as the course is technical and the location reminds me of Guernsey, because I can see the sea!”

Full squad lists for the eight men’s and 10 women’s teams competing at every round of the OVO Energy Tour Series are available from www.tourseries.co.uk

Podcasts

Now, every week, you can also listen to a roundup of Redditch Standard Local News.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Advertising

Advertise with the Redditch Standard to reach your audience

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.