Maddison Genesis Into Tour Series Lead

20 May 2015 12:15

Madison Genesis took the lead of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, edging one-point clear of previous leaders ONE Pro Cycling, after taking the team victory in Round Two of the Series in Redditch.

Consolation for ONE Pro Cycling came in the form of the individual win for Jon Mould, in a dramatic finish that saw Team Raleigh – GAC's Morgan Kneisky celebrate too soon coming out of the final corner, allowing the Welshman to slide past and take victory.

In the opening event of the 2015 women's Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series it was a much clearer picture, with double Olympic Champion Laura Trott crossing the line first, out sprinting four fellow escapees led by fellow Olympic Gold medallist Dani King.

The win wasn't enough to give Trott's Matrix Fitness team the Series lead however, as third placed Nikki Juniper led a young Team Giordana Triton to the Team win and Series lead, plus the Sprints jersey from the opening round.

In the men's event it was a case of a slow whittling down of the main field, with a fast pace and repeated ascents of Redditch Unicorn Hill reducing the main field, until all but Madison Genesis and Pedal Heaven has lost riders. This left that pairing to contest the team win, with Madison Genesis' Mike Northey among a quintet that separated themselves from the leading pack on the final lap, helping to earn his team just enough of an advantage for the win, and the Series lead.

Consolation for Pedal Heaven was their first ever Pearl Izumi Tour Series runners-up spot, coming just five days after they'd scored their best ever result of third in the Team Time Trial at Ryde.

Madison Genesis' Tom Stewart retained the lead of the Chain Reaction Cycles Points Jersey on countback, after Kneisky drew level by taking out all three of the mid-race sprints in an aggressive display which also earned him the Costa Express Fastest Lap.

That though will be little comfort for the three-time World Track Champion, after his final lap error left him ruing the opportunity to take his first Pearl Izumi Tour Series win.

Victory in Redditch, Mould's fifth individual win in the Series moves him level with Dean Downing and just one behind Ed Clancy, the most successful rider in terms of individual victories in the Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Remarkably Mould's wins have come from just 18 events since his first win at Colchester in 2013.Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Round Two, Redditch, Tuesday 19 May 2015

Team Result

1) Madison Genesis

2) Pedal Heaven

3) Team Raleigh - GAC

Individual Result

1) Jon Mould, ONE Pro Cycling

2) Morgan Kneisky, Team Raleigh - GAC

3) Mike Northey, Madison Genesis

Costa Express Fastest Lap

Morgan Kneisky, Team Raleigh - GAC, 1'58.224

Chain Reaction Cycles Points, Rd2 Winner

Morgan Kneisky, Team Raleigh - GAC

Chain Reaction Cycles Points, Post Rd2

1=) Tom Stewart, Madison Genesis, 24pts

1=) Morgan Kneisky, Team Raleigh - GAC, 24pts

3) Kristian House, JLT Condor presented by Mavic, 15pts

Pearl Izumi Tour Series Standings, Post Rd2

1) Madison Genesis, 28pts

2) ONE Pro Cycling, 27pts

3) Team Raleigh - GAC, 22pts

4) Pedal Heaven, 21pts

5) NFTO, 20pts

6) SportGrub Kuota 15pts

7) JLT Condor presented by Mavic, 13pts

8) Velosure Starley Primal, 10pts

9) Team WIGGINS, 6pts

Source: DSG