Thwaites helps Endura to stay ahead in Tour Series (From Wharfedale Observer)

Thwaites helps Endura to stay ahead in Tour Series

11:39am Thursday 7th June 2012 in Sport

Scott Thwaites had two new colleagues in the Endura Racing team for round six of the professional Tour Series.

After a disappointing night in Aberystwyth where several crashes reduced their presence at the front of the field, Endura brought in former Sky rider, Russell Downing and Australian Zak Dempster to their five-man team in the hope of resurrecting their fortunes.

A fast circuit saw many attacks but nothing stuck until late in the race when Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Thwaites broke away with a Node4 and Raleigh rider.

They were soon joined by another Raleigh rider, Dempster and World and Olympic champion Ed Clancy of Rapha Condor Sharp.

With two riders each in the group it was up to Raleigh and Endura to drive the break while Clancy had a free ride to the finish.

Unsurprisingly he was the strongest on the 600 metre finishing straight.

Thwaites came home third with Dempster fifth, leaving Downing and Ian Wilkinson to contest the bunch sprint.

Unfortunately Downing was held up in a crash and while Wilkinson made eighth, this left Endura a point behind Raleigh in the team event.

However, as Raleigh were only in fourth place in the series, Endura’s overall lead increased to nine points.

Two days later the road show moved to Canary Wharf in London. Endura Racing fielded the same team and was keen to increase their lead at the head of the table.

As has now become the pattern, it was late in the race when one of the many breaks proved successful.

Four riders, one from each of the main teams broke away and were allowed to stay clear.

Only Raleigh was missing from the group, but their efforts to close the gap failed and it was Endura Racing’s Dempster who took the win.

Clancy (Rapha Condor Sharp) led home the bunch sprint for fifth, with Thwaites in seventh and Downing ninth.

This gave Endura the team win and moved them 11 points clear in the series with five rounds remaining.

The presentation was made by World Road Race champion Mark Cavendish.

This week’s races at Torquay and Colchester, are shown on ITV4 at 8pm on Wednesday and Friday, with the series available on ITV iplayer.