Lampier 3rd and Harper 4th in Tour of the Reservoir Stage 2

It was a tough trip to the north east last weekend as the country’s best riders battled it out over 189 miles in the two stage fifth leg of the HSBC National Road Series.

Stage One saw a group of 10 riders go clear with a maximum gap of seven minutes. They were caught by a chasing group of 16 with 20 miles to go to set up a mass sprint finish. However, Joe Evans was the only Saint Piran rider to keep in contact, finishing 23rd. Development rider Alex Platt also put in a strong performance.  

Sunday’s 110 mile Stage Two was a gruelling affair but the team from Cornwall, having resolved to go on the attack, were as good as their word. The move came after the day’s big climb across the Northumberland moors with Steve Lampier driving a five man break to open up a one minute gap on the pursuers.

With the big teams in disarray, the gap closed and as the finish approached it became a 10-man sprint for the line. James Shaw of Swift Carbon crossed first followed by Madison Genesis rider Matt Holmes. Saint Piran took the next two places, with Lampier claiming the final podium spot and Will Harper in fourth. Ollie Maxwell and Joe Evans were the next team riders home, in 26th and 32nd respectively.  

Saint Piran Team Principal, Ricci Pascoe was delighted with Sunday’s performance saying, “We made the decisive move in the hardest race of the year.”

Steve Lampier remains in sixth place in the overall HSBC Road Series standings. Saint Piran are also sixth in the team standings - the top-ranked Elite team.

At the half way point through the 10 race series, the teams take a break for a week with the next event seeing a return to the north east for the Beaumont Trophy on 7th July.