Rapha's perfect start to the Tour Series continues in Aberystwyth

Tour Series round two photo gallery by Andy Jones>>

Ed Clancy overcame strong winds to take the individual win in round two of the Tour Series in Aberystwyth last night, and top ten placings from his Rapha-Condor-Sharp team-mates Andy Tennant and Kristian House enough to secure their second round victory from as many events.

Endura Racing were runners-up once again, while Chris Opie's second place finish contributed to Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago taking the final podium place.

A flat course around the Welsh seaside resort's promenade was the location for the series' first foray into Wales, but strong winds threatened the race being run.

Some riders were extremely vocal in voicing their concerns about the conditions, but after a brief delay the action got underway, albeit with the racing shortened to 45 minutes + five laps.

After James Stewart (Team UK Youth) and House tried getting clear early on, Clancy, who sat out the Tuesday's curtain raiser in Durham, found himself upfront with Endura Racing's Evan Oliphant and Jonny McEvoy (Motorpoint) with just under 10 laps of the race remaining.

The leading group swelled to six shortly before the finish, and Olympic team pursuit champion Clancy was too strong in the finishing sprint. Opie, another rider racing in his first round of this year's Tour Series, took second, with Motorpoint's Jonny McEvoy third.

Tennant and House took eighth and ninth respectively, giving John Herety's team the round win.

The wind got even stronger after the finish, forcing event staff to hold the podium to prevent it from moving.

After the wild night on the seafront, Rapha have a perfect score of twenty points as they head into round three of the Tour Series in Peterborough on Tuesday (May 31).

Tour Series: How it works

The Tour Series is a team competition, rather than for individual riders - so although one rider 'wins' each round it is actually the top three riders in each team that give the team their points for the round.

The team that has accrued the most points at the end of the eight-round series wins the series overall.

Results

Tour Series 2011, round two: Aberystwyth

1. Rapha-Condor-Sharp

2. Endura Racing

3. Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago 

4. Motorpoint Pro Cycling

5. Sigma Sport-Specialized

6. Twenty3c-Orbea

7. Team UK Youth

8. CyclePremier.com-Metaltek

9. Team Raleigh

10. Wilier-GoSelfDrive.com

Individual result

1. Ed Clancy (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)

2. Chris Opie (Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago)

3. Jonny McEvoy (Motorpoint Pro Cycling)

4. Marcel Six (Twenty3c-Orbea)

5. Evan Oliphant (Endura Racing)

6. Dale Appleby (CyclePremier.com-Metaltek)

7. Ian Wilkinson (Endura Racing)

8. Andrew Tennant (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)

9. Kristian House (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)

10. Scott Thwaites (Endura Racing)

Boardman Bikes Sprints Winner

Kristian House (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)

Overall series standings after round two

1. Rapha Condor Sharp 20pts

2. Endura Racing 18pts

3. Motorpoint Pro Cycling 14pts

4. Team Raleigh 10pts

5. Team UK Youth 10pts

6. Twenty3c-Orbea 10pts

7. Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago 9pts

8. Sigma Sport-Specialized 8pts

9. CyclePremier.com-Metaltek 6pts

10. Wilier-GoSelfDrive.com 5pts

Boardman Bikes Sprints Standings after round two

Kristian House (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)

Aberystwyth played host to the second round of the 2011 Halfords Tour Series

Spectators as well as riders had to cope with the windy conditions

Jonny McEvoy, Ed Clancy and Evan Oliphant in the escape

Ed Clancy takes the individual win

Related links

Tour Series round two photo gallery by Andy Jones>>

Cycling Weekly's Tour Series 2011 Coverage Index

Round one, Durham: Zak Dempster wins opener as Rapha take control