BRITAIN’S most decorated Paralympian and a three-time Olympic champion head up the array of cycling stars in this evening’s OVO Energy Tour Series in Redditch this evening , Thursday, May 9.
Dame Sarah Storey, a 14-time Paralympic gold medallist and a world champion on 29 occasions, will form part of her eponymous Storey Racing team who will contend for the overall women’s title.
The men’s series will feature Ed Clancy, who has ridden in every edition of the series since its inception in 2009 and will spearhead Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK’s attack.
The 34-year-old Yorkshireman is the only rider in history to win three Olympic gold medals in the team pursuit discipline on the track.
“The Tour Series is an exciting, high-speed event and I’m really happy to be racing alongside my Storey Racing team-mates in 2019,” said Dame Sarah.
“The event has long been known as a great development opportunity for women’s racing, with numerous winners going onto earn professional contracts and racing opportunities at international level.”
Local interest comes in the form of Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes rider Andy Tennant, a former world, European and national champion, from Wolverhampton.
Furthermore, for the first time in series history, both reigning British road champions – Connor Swift (Madison Genesis) and Jess Roberts (Team Breeze) – will be in action.
Both have previously claimed two individual victories each in the series, while Welsh rider Roberts formed part of Team Breeze’s title-winning squad 12 months ago.
Defending men’s champions Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes’ line-up also features Charlie Tanfield – 2018 world and commonwealth champion.
Welshman Jon Mould, who forms part of Madison Genesis’ squad as they look to claim overall victory for the first time since 2015, has won more individual rounds of the series (11) than any other rider, including in Redditch.
“Redditch has been a cornerstone of the OVO Energy Tour Series,” said race director Mick Bennett.
“Last year’s round in the town attracted a fantastic crowd of 16,000, and I’m sure that anybody who comes to watch Britain’s best riders in action will once again see plenty of fun and fast sporting action – all for free!”
Highlights of the OVO Energy Tour Series are screened on ITV4 and broadcast around the world, while fans can follow all the action during the 2019 event online with lap-by-lap video updates and Facebook Live streams.
The event in Redditch will also be supported by a mixed ‘Inter Services Race’ a have a go session on the race track for members of the public to have a go, plus live music at the bandstand and the Tour Village.
Not only that but there will also be a display of Royal Enfleld motorcycles to enjoy too.
