Kristian House outsprinted long-time breakaway companion Simon Richardson to take victory in Kettering’s round of the Halfords Tour Series, helping his Rapha – Condor – Sharp squad take their third team win of the 2010 Series.

House and Sigma Sport – Specialized rider Richardson  spent the second half of the race up the road, at first in a larger group, and then by themselves, at which point the peloton seemed to switch off and allow the duo to finish the race out front.

Graham Briggs once again won the Boardman Bikes Sprint competition, completing a clean sweep of the night’s awards for Rapha – Condor – Sharp, although the men in black still trail Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta in the Halfords Tour Series team standings.

Despite overcast and windy conditions a large crowd turned out in Kettering to welcome The Halfords Tour Series.

A technical course through the town centre saw riders struggle to escape the peloton, with the strong headwind playing a part in this.

Midway through the race a group did escape and, just as at Southport, the big three Halfords Tour Series teams were represented.  Ian Bibby wore Motorpoint’s orange leader’s jersey, while Rob Partridge represented Endura Racing and House Rapha – Condor – Sharp. 

Richardson ensured the rest of the peloton had representation, while after a couple of laps Pendragon Le Col Colnago’s Casey Munro crossed the gap from the peloton to make it a leading quintet.

The peloton gradually began to ride the leaders down, with Munro and House staying clear as the catch was made by a stretched out main field.  Next time round though and Munro was back in the field, with Richardson taking his place out front and joining House.

With the pair away, the peloton seemed to lose interest in their pursuit, with the gap swelling out to fifteen seconds and then steadily increasing to such an extent that with two laps to go it was inevitable that either House or Richardson would take the win.

Coming into the final lap Richardson led out the sprint, but House came through on the near side to cross the line first and to take his first Halfords Tour Series win.

Zak Dempster took the bunch sprint from Ian Wilkinson and Tony Gibb of Kettering’s home, CyclePremier.com – Metaltek team, just ahead of Southport winner Alexandre Blain.

Briggs crossed the line in eighth place  as third Rapha – Condor – Sharp rider to help them to the team prize, with victory seeing the London-based outfit move back into second place in the Halfords Tour Series standings, just two points behind Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta.  With four rounds to go and just three points separating the top three teams, the story of the 2010 Series still has plenty of kilometres to run.

To see all the action from Kettering, tune in to ITV4 on Friday evening at 7pm for an hour’s highlights show.  The Halfords Tour Series is back in action on Tuesday in Peterborough for Round Seven.

Round Six Results

Team:

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

Individual:

1)      Kristian House          Rapha – Condor – Sharp
2)      Simon Richardson                Sigma Sport – Specialized
3)      Zak Dempster            Rapha – Condor – Sharp
4)      Ian Wilkinson                   Endura Racing
5)      Tony Gibb                       CyclePremier.com – Metaltek

The Halfords Tour Series Standings (after six rounds):

1)      Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta            52pts
2)      Rapha – Condor – Sharp                  50pts
3)      Endura Racing                           49pts
4)      Sigma Sport – Specialized                       38pts
5)      Team Raleigh                            34pts                  
6)      Pendragon Le Col Colnago                33pts
7)      CyclePremier.com – Metaltek             30pts
8)      Team Corley Cycles                      23pts
9)      Kuota – road.cc                         13pts
10)     Team Ireland                                    6pts

Boardman Bikes Sprints Competition Results:

1)      Graham Briggs   Rapha – Condor – Sharp  7pts
2)      Jack Bauer              Endura Racing           5pts
3)      Kristian House  Rapha – Condor – Sharp  5pts

Boardman Bikes Sprints Competition Standings (after six rounds):

1)      Graham Briggs   Rapha – Condor – Sharp  38pts
2)      Liam Holohan    Team Raleigh            35pts
3)      Kristian House  Rapha – Condor – Sharp  32pts

For more information visit www.tourseries.co.uk.

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