Dean Downing’s second place finished helped Rapha Condor Sharp hold off Endura Racing to be crowned Halfords Tour Series champions by just five points, while Motorpoint’s Jonny McEvoy took the honours on the night in the final round in Canary Wharf.
An Endura one-two in the penultimate round reduced Rapha’s lead to just six points heading to London but John Herety’s men held their nerve after finishing third overall for the past two seasons.
Defending champions Motorpoint went out with a bang, with 21-year-old McEvoy jumping from the front of a five-man break that included former Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France stage winner Magnus Backstedt and soloing to victory. Downing won the sprint for second, while Endura’s Scott Thwaites finished third.
Tobyn Horton and Marcin Bioloblocki both secure top ten finishes for Motorpoint to ensure they won the night’s team award, while Endura came second on the night to trim Rapha Condor Sharp’s final lead by one point.
Meanwhile, Sigma Sport-Specialized’s Steve Lampier topped the final Boardman Bikes sprint standings on 32 points, ahead of Rapha duo Kristian House (27 points) and Downing (24 points).
Highlights of the final round of Tour Series will be shown on ITV4 at 8pm on Friday June 17, with a repeat on Saturday June 18 at 9.40am.
Round eight results
1) Jonny McEvoy – Motorpoint Pro Cycling
2) Dean Downing – Rapha Condor Sharp
3) Scott Thwaites – Endura Racing
4) Magnus Backstedt – Team UK Youth
5) Wouter Sybrandy – Sigma Sport – Specialized
6) Paul Voss – Endura Racing
7) Tobyn Horton – Motorpoint Pro Cycling
8) James McCallum – Rapha Condor Sharp
9) Ian Wilkinson – Endura Racing
10) Marcin Bialoblocki – Motorpoint Pro Cycling
Final team standings
1) Rapha Condor Sharp – 75pts
2) Endura Racing – 70pts
3) Motorpoint Pro Cycling – 56pts
4) Sigma Sport – Specialized – 49pts
5) Team UK Youth – 41pts
6) CyclePremier.com – Metaltek – 38pts
7) Team Raleigh – 37pts
8) Twenty3c Orbea – 33pts
9) Pendragon Le Col Colnago – 31pts
10) Wilier GoSelfDrive.com – 10pts
