Cycling: Alexandre Blain is in magical form as Endura team reign in Spain

WEST LOTHIAN cycling squad Endura Racing Team continued their continental adventure in spectacular style on the second stage of the Vuelta a Murcia in Spain, writes COLIN RENTON.

Frenchman Alexandre Blain again underlined his value to the side when he retained the overall lead in the sprinters competition and also came within inches of a landmark stage win.

He was edged into fourth spot by the South African Robbie Hunter (Garmin), a past stage winner at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana.

Endura's Ian Wilkinson was also involved in the sprint and crossed the line in eighth spot.

Capital rider Evan Oliphant was in a large bunch with Lance Armstrong (Radioshack) and Bradley Wiggins (Sky) five seconds down on the winner, while youngster Ross Creber also negotiated the 154-kilometre route safely, coming home just over 18 minutes down.

The five-stage event ends in the city of Murcia on Sunday.

Meanwhile, former track world champion Rob Hayles will make his Endura debut on Sunday when he contests a city centre criterium in Singapore.

He will be joined on the start line by Capital-based Commonwealth Games medallist James McCallum, with the Endura team completed by Sandy King and Scott Thwaites.