Ed Clancy sprinted to victory in Aberystwyth, heading Chris Opie home who ensured Team UK Youth pulled out a two point lead at the top of The Pearl Izumi Tour Series standings.
Clancy and Opie were in a four rider break, with Team Raleigh’s Alexandre Blain and Madison Genesis’ Andy Tennant that almost lapped the field on the Aberystwyth circuit.
Opie has now finished as the runner-up in Aberystwyth for three consecutive years, while Clancy has now won twice from his three visits to Wales in the Series.
Organisers overcame inclement weather in the Welsh coastal resort with a revised circuit in the town centre to ensure the event went ahead, with the biggest crowds The Pearl Izumi Tour Series has seen in its three years in Aberystwyth.
Spectators were entertained by an attacking display of riding from the leading quartet who took flight early on in the race and pulled out a lead of almost one minute on the field, putting the peloton in a very real danger of being lapped.
Tobyn Horton and Alex Peters made a valiant attempt to bridge the gap to the leaders, but were reeled back in by the leaders.
Blain tried to launch a winning attack with two to go but couldn’t escape the pace of his three compatriots and while Opie put in another, rapidly becoming trademark, massive turn on the final lap it was the Rapha Condor JLT rider that powered out of the final corner.
Consolation for Blain was the IG Sprints jersey, which he took over from teammate Tom Scully, while Clancy’s final lap was enough to give him the Costa Express Fastest Lap, breaking UK Youth’s run of straight victories in the new competition.
Madison Genesis took second on the night with Dean Downing and Liam Holohan’s top ten’s helping them to the runner-up spot ahead of Team Raleigh. Following their impressive result in Stoke-on-Trent Metaltek – Knights of Old continued their fine run of form with fifth in Aberystwyth, ensuring they sit comfortably in sixth in the standings.
Spin Rotor – Primal – C-Originals enjoyed their best Pearl Izumi Tour Series result of their debut season with a ninth, while MG Maxifuel’s youngster Joe Fox made his own personal Series debut, on a good night for the Fox family, as young brother Danny took a podium finish in the supporting 2/3/4 race.
The Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Round Four Aberystwyth, Provisional Results
Round Four Aberystwyth, Individual Result
1) Ed Clancy, GBR, Rapha Condor JLT
2) Chris Opie, GBR, Team UK Youth
3) Alexandre Blain, FRA, Team Raleigh
4) Andy Tennant, GBR, Madison Genesis
5) Kristian House, GBR, Rapha Condor JLT
6) Dean Downing, GBR, Madison Genesis
7) Jon Mould, GBR, Team UK Youth
8) Niklas Gustavsson, SWE, Team UK Youth
9) Tobyn Horton, GBR, Team UK Youth
10) Liam Holohan, GBR, Madison Genesis
Round Four Aberystwyth, Team Result
1) Team UK Youth
2) Madison Genesis
3) Team Raleigh
4) Rapha Condor JLT
5) Metaltek - Knights of Old
6) Team IG Sigma Sport
7) Node4 Giordana Racing
8) MG Maxifuel
9) Spin Rotor - Primal - C-Originals
10) Team Hope Factory Racing
Team Standings, post-Round Four
1) Team UK Youth, 36pts
2) Team Raleigh, 34pts
3) Madison Genesis, 33pts
4) Rapha Condor JLT, 29pts
5) Node4 Giordana Racing, 24pts
6) Metaltek - Knights of Old, 20pts
7) MG Maxifuel, 13pts
8) Team IG Sigma Sport, 13pts
9) Team Hope Factory Racing, 12pts
10) Spin Rotor - Primal - C-Originals, 5pts
IG Sprints winner Round Four Aberystwyth: Alexandre Blain, FRA, Team Raleigh
Costa Express Fastest Lap Aberystwyth: Ed Clancy, GBR, Rapha Condor JLT, 1:10
IG Sprints standings, post-Round Four
1) Alexandre Blain, FRA, 26pts
2) Tom Scully, NZL, 24pts
3) Kristian House, GBR, 20pts
Highlights of Round Four in Aberystwyth will be shown on ITV4 at 10pm on Monday 27th May, with a repeat at 6.30am on Tuesday 28th May. Round Five of the Series takes place in Torquay on Tuesday 28th May.