Tom Stewart (JLT Condor) is the first British rider to win the Tour de Normandie since Paul Curran’s 1985 victory
![]() |
Team News: Tom Stewart wins Tour of Normandie
Tom Stewart (JLT Condor) is the first British rider to win the Tour de Normandie since Paul Curran’s 1985 victory
JLT Condor’s newest signing won the overall competition by 1 second over Alexander Kreiger (Leopard Trek Pro Cycling). Stewart took control of the race lead on Friday following a successful breakaway move. The Yorkshire-based rider slipped into a seven man breakaway that would out-run the peloton to the line on the 174km to Bagnoles de l’Orne. Stewart sprinted over the line in 3rd and a minute clear of the chasing peloton.
Friday’s fifth stage was one of mixed fortunes for JLT Condor. The six man squad was reduced to four as Ian Bibby and Robert McCarthy were forced to leave the race due to illness.
Tom Stewart was clearly delighted to take home the prestigious yellow jersey. “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits to win. It is one of the most chaotic, dangerous, stressful, and difficult races to ride. I don’t know how we’ve done it. We’ve pulled off something really special. It makes me so proud to part of the team and I’m so happy for Matt [Gibson] to take home the green jersey as well.”
“James [Gullen] and Ali [Slater] rode their hearts out for me over the weekend. They sat on the front of the peloton and rode into the wind for countless kilometres to ensure no one could attack. It wasn’t an easy job. Other teams had four or five riders they could use up in attacks. James and Ali rode like ten men.”
Photo: Alex-Justin
Gibson snatches stage victory
Twenty-one year old, Matt Gibson, motivated by his teammate’s yellow jersey and several top three finishes on the earlier stages, finally found his chance to secure a stage win on Saturday. The result capped off an eventful weekend for the men in burgundy and blue. John Herety laid to rest nearly a decade of chasing a Tour de Normandie victory. “I’ve been coming to this race for nine years with this team. It feels like a weight off my shoulders.”
Important race to win ahead of spring season
JLT Condor’s team manager explained that the race was an important stepping stone for building talent. “It is a hard race because the terrain is challenging and cross/head winds affect tactics. It is a race used by talent spotters and riders are all fighting hard to be seen. Do well here and you can gain the attention of other prestigious races, too.”
Whilst the overall victory was key for Herety, he noted that the performance of young rider, Matt Gibson, was particularly special. “For Matt to come back after his illness [career-threatening, Epstein’s virus], take a stage win and the green points jersey, is a massive achievement. We were right to believe in him and the potential he has.”
“We are all very very happy, if not physically drained.”The team now shifts focus to Australia’s Gold Coast, where four JLT Condor riders have been selected by their nations to take part in the event from the 4 and 15 April 2018. Last week, ASO formally announced its selection of twenty teams to take part in the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire. The event has become one of Britain’s biggest stage races. The race will take place from the 3 – 6 May 2018.
Cycle Division’s New Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- NEWS: CLIMBING TRAINING CAMP
- Features, Reports, Results
- CX Result: Welsh Cyclocross League Round 4
- TT Result: Welsh TT Champs
- Cavendish Speaks at Pedal Club Dinner
- HC Result: BEC Hill Climb
- HC Result: Palterton Hill Climb
- HC Result: Butts Lane Hill Climb
- News: GB for Track Worlds
- HC Result: Peak Hill Hill Climb
- HC Result: Firle Beacon Hill Climb
- Result: CCA Season Finale
- CX Result: NWCCA League #3
- CX Result: South West CX League #3
- CX RESULT: Western CX League 4 (Bristol CX)
- CX Result: Central CX League 5 (Hemel Hempstead)
- CX Result: CXNE Round 3
- CX Result: Wessex Cyclocross League 6
- Sad News: Max Pendleton Passes Away
- CX Result: Leicester CX League Round 1
- CX Result: Lincolnshire CX League Rd 4
- Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- CX Result: Shimano Lazer WMCCL
- TT Result: Cardiff 100 Miles RCC 10
- HC Result: Houghton CC Hill Climb (Quarrington Hill)
- HC Result: Bib Lane Hill Climb
- HC Result: Catford Hill Climb
- CX Result: Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross League Rd 2
- TT Result: RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship
- HC Result: Snake Pass Hill Climb
- HC Result: Jackson Bridge Hill Climb
- HC Result: Zurbaran Racing Unthank Hill Climb
- HC Result: Mam Nick Hill Climb
- HC Result: Sussex Revolution VC Hill Climb
- HC Result: Welsh Championship Hill Climb
- TT Result: Norwich ABC 25
- HC Result: Monsal Head Hill Climb
- Tour of Britain 2026 News
- HC Result: Horseshoe Pass Hill Climb
- CX Result: London/South East CX League 4
- CX Result: South West CX League 2
Other News on VeloUK
- Cavendish Speaks at Pedal Club Dinner
- News: GB for Track Worlds
- Sad News: Max Pendleton Passes Away
- NEWS: CLIMBING TRAINING CAMP
- Tour of Britain 2026 News
- Startlist: National Trophy Round 1 (Derby)
- News: Indoor Champs Coming to Derby
- Report: Harry Hudson wins World Title!
- BMCR National Circuit Championships
- Feature: Eddie Dunbar – Building towards the Tour de France & beyond
- FEATURE: The Pedal Club September Lunch
- News: GB for Road Worlds (Rwanda)
- BMCR Event: National Championship
- Report: Men’s Tour of Britain Stage 5
- New Team for Cyclocross Champion Xan Crees
- Tour of Britain Stage 1
- Men’s Tour of Britain Provisional Start List
- Tour of Britain News: GB Team for Race
- FEATURE: The Pedal Club Lunch (August)
- Winners! Ribble Outliers Latvian Triple!
- GB FOR JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPS
- Beaumont Trophy/Curlew Cup 2025
- STAGE ROUTES ANNOUNCED FOR MEN’S TOUR OF BRITAIN
- TOUR OF BRITAIN NEWS – THE TEAMS
- Startlist: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship
- Ribble Cycles CGR – Commute, Gravel, Road range
- Tour of Britain News: 2 Days in Wales
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (July)
- STARTLIST: National Youth Circuit Series (Wyke)
- Men’s Tour of Britain Route Update
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold