Last week saw two of the biggest crowds, and two of the toughest races, as the spectators flocked to see the racing at Stoke on Trent and Colchester in crowd numbers estimated at close to 20,000 people.
The Tour Series roadshow moves into its sixth and final week with the two contrasting venues of round 9 at Chester and round 10 at Southend. Expect to see some of the most competitive racing, and enthusiastic crowds, as the chips are down for winners to take all on Thursday on the Southend seafront.
Week five saw Team Halfords Bikehut cementing its position at the head of the Tour series team standings and going into the last week of racing they are looking like the team to beat. Rapha-Condor had one of their best weeks too as they won the Team prize at Stoke and took the individual win, with Tom Southam’s excellent winning move, at Colchester. With only five points separating Halfords, Rapha-Condor and the Candi TV squad expect to see aggressive, tactical riding (a few fireworks!) as the 2009 Tour Series enters its end-game.
The team selections for the final week see all teams fielding their best squads of the Series. Rapha Condor team director John Herety has stated that his Chester line-up will be his strongest of the series so far, with multi-Olympian Chris Newton, recent big stage winners Simon Richardson and Matt Cronshaw, and National Circuit champion Dean Downing all taking their place on the start line. With Team Halfords’ Olympic gold medalist Ed Clancy as hyped for this as he was in Beijing and former World Champion Rob Hayles wired too, the battle at the top between these two teams will be electric.
Expect to see some fierce racing in the mid-field too. Sigma vs Sport Beans and Team Corley Cycles going head-to-head for that coveted fifth spot, and www.cyclebargains.com and BMC Racing battling it out for points and pride in the bottom two positions.
Chester serves-up a city centre circuit that twists and turns its way through the historic streets of this Cheshire city. As the riders sweep through Northgate St., past the cathedral and down Eastgate St. the galleries should be huge in this hot-bed for cycling in England’s north-west. Racing gets underway a little later (7.30pm) than usual, this will only add to the possibilities of what is likely to be one of the highlights of this year’s series.
Southend contrasts with it’s seafront location, and fast out and back circuit. Along with its seven miles of award winning beaches, Southend-on-Sea is famed for being home to the longest pleasure pier in the world, though the riders will have little time to take in the sights. The racing here should see the fastest average speed on the Series as the Team-trains stoke their engines along the Western Esplanade – expect to see foray after foray as riders aim for that final glory on this year’s Tour Series.
Racing kicks of at 7.30pm on Tuesday at Chester and 7.00pm on Thursday in Southend, with support events throughout the afternoon at both venues. The Tour Series highlights programme occupies the now familiar time-slot of 7pm on Wednesday and Friday and look out for the lively post-race podcast from ITV man Ned Bolting and guests, exclusively on www.tourseries.co.uk.
Team Standings after Round 8
- 1. Team Halfords Bikehut 77 points
- 2. Rapha – Condor 73 points
- 3. Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta 72 points
- 4. Madison.co.uk 69 points
- 5. Sigma Sport Cycling Team 42 points
- 6. Sports Beans – Wilier 39 points
- 7. Team Corley Cycles 35 points
- 8. Endura Racing 22 points
- 9. www.cyclingbargains.com 18 points
- 10. BMC UK Racing Team 17 points
