Team News: Lavery 2nd in GP Pont a Marcq

Node 4-Giordana rider Philip Lavery is second in the UCI 1.2 GP Pont a Marcq in France at the weekend

Heavy rain meant the course had to be altered at the eleventh hour and the section of pave at Mons-en-Pevele, incorporated in Paris-Roubaix was unable to be used. Instead, 12 laps of a 15.6km circuit were used for 189km. Several heavy showers and crosswinds made for a selective race and Matt Cronshaw made the first front group of 18 riders which went clear at around 25km and maintained their lead of 40-55 seconds for over 100km.

Behind in the peloton, various chases featured Node 4 Giordana riders Mike Northey and Philip Lavery, and they made the junction to bolster the front group before further re-shuffling saw four riders go clear. Philip Lavery then closed a 30 second gap alone to make five in front.

At 30km to go, Lavery and Benoit Daeninck (CC Nogent sur Oise) attacked again from this group and took 30 seconds lead on a much diminished but rapidly closing peloton. On the last lap at 10km to go, Daeninck attacked Lavery and soloed away to win. Philip was then caught by a chasing trio, but despite having spent so much energy during his exploits, still had enough left to outsprint them for second place.