South West’s Pro cycling team secures historic podium sweep at UK’s most prestigious race
Saint Piran Pro Cycling, the South West’s pro team, came first, second and third, creating history at the prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix.
The team secured a podium clean sweep with Alex Richardson taking the race win ahead of teammates Zeb Kyffin and Jack Rootkin-Gray. The victory marked the first time since 1998 that a team had repeated a 1, 2, 3 finish at the UK’s leading one-day race. Former winners include globally renowned riders including Ben Swift, Malcolm Elliot and Pete Kennaugh.
The squad from Cornwall, Somerset, Devon and Dorset had been in fine form coming into the race, having recently secured a 1st and 3rd place finish at UCI races in Norway.
With the win, Richardson has also taken the lead in the British Cycling National Road Series and wears the white leader's jersey, something that Saint Piran will be hoping to hold onto for the duration of the season.
The South West team now firmly sits at the top of the standings, with their historic victory at the Lincoln Grand Prix cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with this season.
Speaking after the race, Richardson praised his teammates' efforts, saying, "The guys were just phenomenal – on the front foot all day. The process was amazing. Everyone rode beautifully. What a feeling! I wanted this one – I have very fond memories of Lincoln and to win it twice now feels amazing!"
Team Owner Richard Pascoe “We didn’t win today - cycling did. The Lincoln Grand Prix is the monument of all UKs cycling events in its 62-year history everyone wants to win it. The result was one for everyone involved. It takes hard work planning and for all our partners, supporters and staff it was an amazing result.
“For myself and Steve Lampier (Team Manager) who were both away from the race, it felt surreal watching something that we are involved in 24/7. I’ll admit I cried, it is seven years since the start of our team and we as a team, in the first years couldn’t get a rider in the top 30 at the beginning. Yesterday we took a clean sweep of the podium- a unique day to look at the Saint Piran cycling project with total credibility."
