Chris Lawless wins Grand Prix of Wales
Team Wiggins rider Chris Lawless wins British Cycling Elite Road Series round in Abergavenny
- Photos by Andy Jones
Chris Lawless (Team Wiggins) continued his successful 2015 season with victory in the Grand Prix of Wales on Sunday.
Lawless took the victory in Abergavenny, sprinting ahead of Yanto Barker (One Pro Cycling) and Graham Briggs (JLT Condor).
The 19-year-old’s win comes on the back of winning a round of the Tour Series, the Stockton Town Centre Race and placing sixth behind Belgian Philippe Gilbert (BMC) in the Grand Prix Cerami last month.
A succession of escape groups tried to get away during the 182-kilometre event, which featured two laps of a long loop out towards Raglan and Monmouth followed by 10 laps of a short loop around Abergavenny. The Raleigh-GAC team of series leader Steve Lampier did much of the chasing.
Kristian House (JLT Condor) and Ian Bibby (NFTO) were the last of the attackers, but were caught just before the finish – setting up the win for Lawless.
Just one round of the British Cycling Elite Road Series remains: the Leicester Castle Classic Kermesse on Sunday, August 16.
The start out of Abergavenny: Grand Prix of Wales 2015
Break out in large circuit: the race traversed this twice before 10 laps of a smaller finishing circuit
Steve Lampier, Elite Road Series leader
George Atkins tries a move from the three-man break in the Abergavenny closing circuits
The race back together with Yanto Barker back in the mix
Chris Lawless takes the sprint from Yanto Barker and Graham Briggs
Chris Lawless, 2015 Grand Prix of Wales winner
Yanto Barker, Chris Lawless and Graham Brigss on the podium of the 2015 Grand Prix of Wales
Result
Grand Prix of Wales 2015, 113 miles (182km)
1. Chris Lawless (Team Wiggins)
2. Yanto Barker (One Pro Cycling)
3. Graham Briggs (JLT Condor)
Video: Secrets of the Toolbox – JLT Condor