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Stockton Velo29-Altura Grand Prix 2015

 

 

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

Author: Chris Maher, Pictures courtesy of: www.chrismaher.co.uk

12 July 2015

British Cycling Elite Road Series – 2015 – Stockton Velo29-Altura Grand Prix

 

ERS-Grand-Prix-Stockton-Map_1431424509

A fter 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.

Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, Leading Duo of Ian Bibby & George Atkins
Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, Leading Duo of Ian Bibby & George Atkins

 

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.

Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix Lap Eight, Madison Genesis Control
Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix Lap Eight, Madison Genesis Control

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.

Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, Four Circuits Remaining
Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, Four Circuits Remaining

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

Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, JLT Condor lead the final chase.
Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, JLT Condor lead the final chase.

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.

Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, Evan Oliphant attacks with eight miles remaining.
Velo29 Altura Stockton Grand Prix, Evan Oliphant attacks with eight miles remaining.

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.

 

Contributor to http://www.cyclingshorts.uk.com/

 

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

 

Official photographer 2014 for http://teamjadan.com/

 

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