Cycling: Endura find race hard going as McCallum crashes out

RIDERS from West Lothian cycling outfit Endura Racing Team had another tough day in the saddle during yesterday's second stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean in France.

Capital star James McCallum had a particularly punishing outing on the 170-kilometre trek from Peynier to Trets. He crashed out of the race shortly after suffering a bout of ill-fortune.

McCallum suffered the double puncture on a steep descent and had to wait several minutes for a replacement. Then, although he emerged unscathed from the crash, his bike was damaged beyond repair and left him unable to continue.

His fellow Lothians riders Evan Oliphant, Ross Creber and Gary Hand finished with the day's main bunch, 12 minutes down on the stage winner.

For the second successive day, Frenchman Alexandre Blain was the top Endura performer. The former Cofidis rider crossed the line 50 seconds down on Finland's Jussi Veikkanen (Francaise des Jeux), who took the honour on the day and also now heads the general classification. However, Blain's bid for the win was thwarted when he was sent off course.