ROWSELL TAKES JUNIOR TOUR OF WALES
National junior road race champion Erick Rowsell continued his recent fine form with victory in the five-stage Junior Tour of Wales over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Britain?s best junior riders came up against opposition from Belgium and Norway over the three days of racing based on the town of Nantyglo.
Rowsell lost the yellow jersey on the second stage having won the morning prologue but rode consistently to reclaim the lead the following day and finish the race eight seconds clear of Norwegian Johan Fredr Ziesler (Nymark Cycling Team). Glendene?s Joe Perrett took third spot on the podium.
The win gave the 18-year-old Corridori rider overall victory in the season-long junior road race series. Luke Rowe (Rapha-Condor-Recycling) gave Rowsell a run for his money over the 10 rounds but, sadly, the young Welshman missed out racing on home roads due to illness. The pair were neck-and-neck since the opening round, the Martyn Ashfield Classic in March, when just eight seconds separated them after three stages.
Rowsell thrives on the tough courses ? his other win in the series came at the Tour of Sussex at Beachy Head in May ? and seems to find a lack of team mates no hindrance.
He now joins up with the track squad for the under 23 European Championships starting on Wednesday in Poland, then applies to the GB Olympic Academy, hoping to follow in the footsteps of sister (and team pursuit World Champion) Joanna.
FINAL OVERALL
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
1. Erick Rowsell COR 7:45:56
2. Johan Fredr Ziesler NCC 7:46:04
3. Joe Perrett GDA 7:46:49
4. Tosh Vandersande AVI 7:47:24
5. Alexander King GWR 7:47:38
6. Tim Kennaugh IOM 7:48:36
7. Thomas Optebeeck AVI 7:48:46
8. Mark Christian IOM 7:48:49
9. Eliot Letaer AVI 7:49:06
10. Sam Redding GWR 7:49:09
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.