Rapha Condor Sharp’s Kristian House
Despite the best efforts of Rapha Condor Sharp’s Kristian House, who rode away to an impressive solo victory, Endura Racing have stretched their lead at the top of the standings to five points after two rounds.
House broke clear at around half-distance, taking all three Boardman Bikes Sprints on his way to a comprehensive victory by over half a minute in Durham, with Endura Racing’s Kirkcaldy winner Scott Thwaites leading in the much depleted main field.
Thwaites’ second, allied to third for Ian Bibby and fifth for Johnny McEvoy gave Endura Racing their second team win of the week, to make it a maximum score from The Halfords Tour Series’ opening two rounds of the 2012 season.
Rapha Condor Sharp bounced back from a disappointing opening night to take second, thanks to House’s win, moving them up to second in the standings, level on points with Node4 – Giordana Racing.
In damp and grimy conditions, the tough Durham circuit took its toll on the riders from the offset, with several crashes disrupting the progress of others. After only a handful of laps the field was fractured, with an elite front group forming from which all the evening’s main protagonists would emerge.
House jumped clear prior to the second Boardman Bikes Sprint, taking Peter Williams and National Circuit Race Champion Graham Briggs away with him initially. House soon pressed on alone gradually building a lead which would see him home safely ahead of his pursuers.
“I’ve won the sprints here now for three years in a row and I’ve been top five here each year so it’s really been one I wanted to win,” said Kristian House. “It suits me, it’s quite a hard course with the cobble stones but I know how to ride it. I really enjoy that course. It’s tough but it’s tough in a way that suits me.
“I was really nervous about the steep course and the wet surfaces, especially after the first round where there were a lot of crashes. It was really key to stay at the front and out of trouble and it worked out well for me as an individual.
“I can’t get over the crowd at these races, especially here in Durham. The bottom corner had the biggest crowd I’d ever seen – everyone wanted to see the crashes but I am glad I disappointed them on that tonight!”
Deerness Valley Cycling 