Tiernan-Locke secures Tour of Alsace for Endura Racing

West LOTHIAN cycling outfit Endura Racing Team enjoyed another taste of success in Europe when Jonathan Tiernan-Locke clinched an impressive overall victory at the Tour of Alsace in France yesterday.

The 27-year-old Englishman caught the eye early in the season with stunning victories at the Tour Mediterraneen and Tour du Haut Var before suffering a broken collarbone that kept him out of action for several weeks when he crashed at the Lincoln Grand Prix in May.

He confirmed, however, his return to winning ways with a solid ride on yesterday’s final phase of the seven stage race.

Tiernan-Locke claimed the leader’s yellow jersey with a win in Thursday’s stage from Strasbourg to Bischoffsheim and extended his advantage when he took the honours again in Saturday’s haul from Bollwiller to Markstein.

And he crossed the line in 14th place after yesterday’s finale in Ballon d’Alsace to secure the title by 26 seconds from Alexandr Pliuschin of the Leopard Trek team.

Tiernan-Locke adds his name to an impressive list of winners of the event and succeeds Frenchman Thibaut Pinot.