Frenchman Alexandre Blain took Endura Racing’s first win of The Halfords Tour Series, jumping away from his breakaway companions in the final 500 metres of racing to win a fast-paced Southport round of the series.

However, a determined Endura lost out on the night’s team prize to Rapha – Condor – Sharp, who were also active throughout a race that boiled down to a tight battle between the top three teams.

Earlier rain had cleared away by seven o’clock, leaving the sun breaking through and the skies clearing above the Sefton coast in time for racing.

Every lap in the early stages seemed to bring an increase in speed, as the peloton enjoyed the long, flat straights that gave riders the chance to stretch their legs at the front of the field.

Endura Racing, Rapha – Condor – Sharp and Halfords Tour Series leaders Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta were all looking fired up, with each sending riders up the road in probing forays as the big guns tried to get a move to stick.

When a break did eventual stay away after half an hour of racing, it was a high-class Anglo-Australian quartet of Rob Hayles, Ed Clancy, Dean Windsor and Casey Munro.  The four built a 12” lead over the peloton, but that gap was gradually chipped away as Ormskirk rider James Stewart and Zak Dempster tried to cross.

Another high-class trio containing Munro and Clancy again, along with Ian Wilkinson then tried to escape, but with no Rapha – Condor – Sharp rider in the group, its life was short lived.

Finally the big three teams succeeded in getting some of their riders away, with Blain, Kristian House and Ian Bibby all pulling away from the field.  The trio built up an excellent lead, and with each of the big teams represented the chase from the peloton was weakened.

In the closing laps four riders crossed to the leading group, with Endura Racing, Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta and Rapha – Condor – Sharp again represented through Jack Bauer, Andy Tennant and Dean Windsor, while James Stewart added the presence of home team Raleigh.

Approaching the finish, former Cofidis rider Blain jumped with about 500 metres to go approaching the final hairpin corner.  With his breakaway companions slightly overcooking their chase and going deep into the turn, victory went to the Frenchman, well clear of original escapees House and Bibby.

In the team standings, Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta’s lead has been cut to two points over Rapha – Condor – Sharp, with Endura Racing just a point behind, as the leading trio begin to pull away from the field.

Behind them  the battle for fourth in the standings is just as tight, however, with Sigma Sport – Specialized, Pendragon Le Col Colnago and Team Raleigh separated by three points.

To see all the action from Southport, tune in to ITV4 on Wednesday evening, 9 June, at 7pm for an hour’s highlights show.  The Halfords Tour Series is back in action on Thursday in Kettering for Round Six of the 2010 Series.

Round Five Results:

Team
1)      Rapha – Condor – Sharp
2)      Endura Racing
3)      Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta
4)      Sigma Sport – Specialized
5)      Team Raleigh
6)      Team Corley Cycles
7)      Pendragon – Le Col – Colnago
8)      CyclePremier.com – Metaltek
9)      Kuota – road.cc
10)     Team Ireland

Individual

1)      Alexandre Blain         Endura Racing
2)      Kristian House          Rapha – Condor – Sharp
3)      Ian Bibby                       Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta
4)      Dean Windsor            Rapha – Condor – Sharp
5)      Andy Tennant            Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta   

The Halfords Tour Series Standings (after five rounds):

1)      Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta            43pts
2)      Rapha – Condor – Sharp                  41pts
3)      Endura Racing                           40pts
4)      Sigma Sport – Specialized                       31pts
5)      Pendragon – Le Col – Colnago            30pts                  
6)      Team Raleigh                            29pts
7)      CyclePremier.com – Metaltek             24pts
8)      Team Corley Cycles                      19pts
9)      Kuota – road.cc                         12pts
10)     Team Ireland                                    5pts

Boardman Bikes Sprints Competition results:

1)      Graham Briggs   Rapha – Condor – Sharp          7pts
2)      Rob Hayles              Endura Racing                   5pts
3)      Simon Gaywood   Team Corley Cycles              5pts

For more information visit www.tourseries.co.uk or follow the action via Twitter at www.twitter.com/TourSeries.

The Halfords Tour Series and The Tour of Britain are proud to be partnered with The Prostate Cancer Charity.  Don’t forget this September your chance to follow in the wheel tracks of the professional and ride three stages from The Tour of Britain.  Go to www.tourride.co.uk to find out more.