Endura Racing have continued where they left off with British Cycling’s Premier Calendar series by winning the opening stages of their home race, the Tour Doon Hame.
The Scottish team won the opening race of the series with victory for Alex Blain at the Maldon Dengie Tour, and continued a hugely impressive start to the season with victories for Erick Rowsell and Scott Thwaites on the opening stages of their home race, the Tour Doon Hame.
Rowsell lead out the sprint at the end of the 80-mile parcours from Castle Douglas to Girvan to continue a fine start to his debut season with the UCI Continental squad that brought a stage victory in the Tour of Normandie.
Rowsell, 21, sprinted ahead of another exiting prospect, 21-year-old Richard Handley (Rapha Condor Sharp) and Node4-Girodana’s Mike Northey.
In the second stage, held in the afternoon, Scott Thwaites claimed his first victory for Endura Racing by winning a criterium race around Girvan.
The Scottish team controlled the race, chasing down breakaways, and at the denouement, Thwaites had the strength to outsprint Chris Opie (UK Youth), and Team Raleigh’s Daniel Holloway.
Thwaites consistent performance has moved him to the top of the standings for the green points jersey. Teammate, Alexander Weatherall, heads the King of the Mountains classification.
Elsewhere, Endura Racing continued a fantastic run of overseas form with a strong showing in the UCI 2.2 category Circuit des Ardennes.
Russell Downing won the opening stage with a well-timed sprint and finished the four-stage race second overall.
Endura Racing lead the UCI Europe Tour by nearly three points from the French Saur Sojasun squad.
