Welsh riders came out on top in the first-ever Sunderland round of the Tour Series as Megan Barker (CAMS – Basso Bikes) and Will Roberts (Wales Racing Academy) took the individual honours on Wearside.

Barker’s victory, her third individual Tour Series win, helped her team and the defending women’s champions take the victory on the night to set up a nail-biting finale in Castle Douglas on Thursday. Just one point separates them and series leaders Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen.

Meanwhile, Roberts took the men’s win on the night as reigning champions Canyon dhb SunGod bounced back from their disappointing opening round in Guisborough to take their 10th round victory.  Heading to Scotland they trail overall leaders Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling by three points, keeping the dream of a historic hat-trick of titles alive, but very much an outside shot.

After a packed day of family activities in Sunderland’s Mowbray Park, Britain’s leading men’s and women’s teams took the stage on the fast 1.3-kilometre circuit around the perimeter of the park.

Despite predictions that the long uphill drag of Burdon Road would split the peloton, and the efforts of a motivated CAMS – Basso Bikes team to do just that, the field largely hung together. Jo Tindley’s Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen squad were able to shadow their moves and keep the five yellow Freewheel.co.uk jerseys on their shoulders.

Tindley also held on to the Freewheel.co.uk sprints competition, while there was a first-ever Brother UK Fastest Lap win for Crimson Orientation Marketing RT and Samantha Stuart.

After their victory in Guisborough on Sunday, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling kept the men’s yellow Freewheel.co.uk jerseys, two points ahead of Crimson Orientation Marketing RT. Canyon dhb SunGod and Wales Racing Academy sit joint third, a further point in arrears.

The Welsh team enjoyed a standout Sunderland round with Gorseinon’s Roberts attacking from a small group to hold on to the win by just over a second from Ollie Rees (TRINITY Racing). Fellow Wales Racing Academy rider Joe Holt took third.

Active throughout was British Olympian Charlie Tanfield, who was drafted into the Canyon dhb SunGod for this round, fresh from arriving back from the Tokyo Games. He took fourth on the night, with strong performances from team-mates Ryan Christensen (seventh), Jim Brown (ninth) and Andy Tennant (10th) ensuring that they won the round.

As well as keeping the overall teams lead, Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling hold onto the Freewheel.co.uk sprints jersey through Matt Gibson, while Chris McGlinchey took the Brother UK Fastest Lap for Team Spectra p/b Wiggle.

Results

Click here for full results from the women’s races in Sunderland.

Click here for full results from the men’s races in Sunderland.

TV coverage

Highlights of the Sunderland races are on ITV4 at 7pm on Wednesday 11 August with a repeat at 12.30pm on Thursday 12 August. They will also be available for 30 days via the ITV Hub.