Fine weather, a carnival atmosphere and huge crowds greeted the riders as the Tour Series continued in Exeter on Thursday 28 May. On a classic, compact street circuit of sharp turns, narrowing straights and fans banging the boards, Rapha-Condor rider Dean Downing claimed a great win at the end of a frenetic hour’s racing.

Mid-way through the race, a group of a dozen riders including Downing had formed. This group, also containing Olympian Ed Clancy, stayed away until Rapha-Condor rider Downing emerged in the last 200 metres to take the win. After a slightly disappointing race at the Milton Keynes round, Dean was obviously out to put things right in Exeter and his finishing kick showed just why the 2008 National Circuit Champion is considered one of the UK’s best exponents of this type of racing.

Rapha-Condor won the team prize on the night, with Downing, Tom Southam and Kristian House making up the winning trio. After two races of the 10-round Tour Series, Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta stayed in the overall team leaders’ jerseys, with Rapha-Condor in second place and Plowman Craven in third.

Individual Results – Round 2 – Exeter 28.05.09

1. Dean Downing RAPHA-CONDOR
2. Jeroen Janssen PLOWMAN CRAVEN – MADISON
3. Rob Hayles HALFORDS-BIKEHUT
4. Graham Briggs CANDI TV – MARSHALLS PASTA
5. Yanto Barker SIGMA SPORT SPECIALIZED SPORTFUL
6. Andy Tennant HALFORDS – BIKEHUT
7. Tom Southam RAPHA-CONDOR
8. Simon Holt CANDI TV – MARSHALLS PASTA
9. Matthew Higgins TEAM CORLEY CYCLES
10. Kristian House RAPHA-CONDOR

Team Results – Round 2 – Exeter 28.05.09

1. Rapha – Condor
2. Team Halfords Bikehut
3. Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta
4. Plowman Craven – Madison
5. Sports Beans – Wilier
6. Sigma Sport Cycling Team
7. Team Corley Cycles
8. BMC UK
RacingTeam
9.
www.cyclingbargains.com
10. Endura Racing

Team Standings after Round 2

1. Candi TV – Marshalls Pasta
2. Rapha – Condor
3. Plowman Craven – Madison
4. Team Halfords Bikehut
5. Sports Beans – Wilier
6. BMC UK Racing Team
7. Sigma Sport Cycling Team
8. Team Corley Cycles
9. www.cyclingbargains.com
10. Endura Racing

Full results and team standings will be available on the Tour Series website

The racing now moves to Woking on Tuesday the 2nd of June, as the Tour Series begins its twice-weekly racing schedule. After the Woking event, proceedings quickly move to Peterborough for Thursday night’s race.