Marcin Bialoblocki and Charline Joiner took the individual honours as the Pearl Izumi Tour Series made its debut in Croydon yesterday.
Bialoblocki’s ONE Pro Cycling team, owned by former England cricketer Matt Prior, also took the team win in the men’s series to move them a point closer to leaders Madison Genesis with three rounds to go.
VICTORY SALUTE: Marcin Bialoblocki takes the win in North End
In the Matrix Fitness GP Series, Team WNT’s Commonwealth Games medallist Joiner beat Team Giordana Triton rider Nikki Juniper to the line, but it’s Juniper who keeps hold of the individual and sprints jerseys.
The track saw riders, including two-time Olympic champion Ed Clancy and 11-time Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey, race down North End, Surrey Street and High Street in the tour’s first visit to south London.
HIGH FIVES: The wining One Pro Cycling Team are a step closer to the overall lead
The men’s event say five riders go clear and lap the field, with Bialoblocki outsprinting Andy Tennant on the line for his first series win since 2012. Madison Genesis’ Tobyn Horton was third, with Clancy down in 22nd.
The chasing group was dominated by ONE Pro Cycling’s other riders to give them the team win, with Madison Genesis in second despite three riders being struck down in separate crashes.
Tom Stewart gained enough sprint points to return to the lead of the Chain Reaction Cycles Points Jersey, while NFTO’s Ian Bibby took the Costa Express Fastest Lap.
WHEEL TO WHEEL: The men’s race just after the start
In the women’s race, Dame Sarah was active early on but finished tenth, with Joiner claiming her first series win ahead of Juniper and Louis Mahe.
Highlights of the event are on ITV4 at 10pm tonight, with the tour’s next race taking place at Canary Wharf tomorrow.
TIGHT TURN: A Pearl Izumi Tour team rider goes round the corner by the Green Dragon
Feature image of Charline Joiner crossing the line in first, with all images courtesy of The Tour, with thanks
