Cycling: Endura off to a flying start

West LOTHIAN-BASED cycling team Endura Racing made a stunning start to the road racing season with overall victory at the Tour of the Mediterranean in France.

After initially being turned down for a place in the race, Endura had a late call up and the riders seized the opportunity, with Jon Tiernan-Locke making a triumphant debut in Endura colours. The Englishman, 27, took the honours on the first of the four stages and, although he surrendered the leader’s yellow jersey the following, day, remained in contention. Starting the final day in third spot, ten seconds adrift of Dutchman Michel Kreder, Tiernan-Locke blasted his way up the final climb to win the stage by 17 seconds and secure the title ahead of Kreder.

He now joins an illustrious list of winners, including Italian greats Gianni Bugno, David Rebellin and Paolo Bettini, as well as French stars Laurent Jalabert and David Moncoutie.