THE opening round of the OVO Energy Tour Series in Redditch, saw the men’s and women’s British Road Race Champions coming out on top in wet conditions, with individual victories for Connor Swift (Madison Genesis) and Jess Roberts (Team Breeze).
In the opening women’s race Roberts headed home Brother UK – Tifosi p/b OnForm duo Anna Henderson and Rebecca Durrell, whose placings helped their squad into the first OVO Energy Green Jerseys as initial Series leaders.
Jess, aged just 20, follows in the wheel tracks of elder sister Amy, who took victory in the Redditch event in 2014.
With skies darkening and conditions getting wetter, it was Madison Genesis rider Swift taking the individual honours with an impressive solo victory by almost one minute, adding to two previous wins in the OVO Energy Tour Series during 2017.
That impressive solo ride by Swift, along with team-mate Tom Moses following him home, albeit 45 seconds in arrears, was enough to help Madison Genesis into the lead of the men’s OVO Energy Tour Series following Round One, with the quintet of riders pulling on the OVO Energy Green Jerseys on the Redditch podium.
Round Two of the men’s and women’s OVO Energy Tour Series takes place in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire on Tuesday, May 13, with action getting underway with a packed programme of support events by Scottish Cycling from Midday.
Highlights of the OVO Energy Tour Series are screened on ITV4 and broadcast around the world. Action from the men’s event in Redditch will be shown at 23:25 on Saturday 11 May with the women’s highlights at 6pm on Monday, May 13, with both programmes also available on demand via the ITV Hub catch up service.
