BIKE Channel Canyon claimed an encouraging second spot in the team time trial as the Tour Series got under way in Redditch this afternoon.
Tim Elverson’s squad of James Lowsley-Williams, Chris Opie, Jack Pullar, Harry Tanfield and Rory Townsend clocked 3min 52.118sec for the 2.8km test.
But they were no match for reigning champions JLT Condor, who produced a stunning 3.49.000 to win the round and claim the leaders’ jerseys ahead of tonight’s crit (7.30pm).
Morvelo Basso had earlier got the test under way, clocking a time of 4.09.565. But their effort was quickly smashed by ONE Pro Cycling, who put down the early marker of 3.57.198.
Next up came Madison Genesis and the 2015 champions snatched top spot with a time of 3.56.158 before Metaltek Kuota registered 4.03.544.
Title-favourites JLT Condor, who were led out by Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy and named Jon Mould, Brenton Jones, Alex Frame and Ian Bibby in their ranks, then tore up the time sheets.
Team Raleigh were never likely to put that mark under pressure and, ultimately, crossed the line in 4.00.715 to leave BIKE Channel Canyon as JLT’s only threat.
Elverson’s quintet completed the opening lap in 1.54.132, second only to JLT, but despite a valiant attempt were unable to close the gap and had to settle for second place with a time of 3.52.118.
Final result: 1 JLT Condor (3.49.000); 2 BIKE Channel Canyon (3.52.118); 3 Madison Genesis (3.56.158); 4 ONE Pro Cycling (3.57.198); 5 Team Raleigh (4.00.715), 6 Metaltek Kuota (4.03.544); 7 Morvelo Basso (4.09.565)
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