A day of top class bike racing has hosted in the centre of Birkenhead on Tuesday 21st May as the OVO Energy Tour Series took place around the town centre.
The day was made up of various races covering all categories of riders from the young right up to the pro level, with former world and Olympic champion Ed Clancy in the main event.
However, the pro race was only a filler for the main event, the Brother Corporate Relay Grand Prix. This featured corporate based teams of 5 from the region. Each rider was to complete one lap then dismount to tag the next rider intheir team. The final lap was to be completed by a pro rider randomly assigned to each team. Beyond’s pro was Charlotte Berry from Team Velo Performance.
left to right – Chris Redhead, Guy Wolstencroft, Charlotte Berry, Scott O’Brien, Danny Emmett and Matthew Townsend
Beyond Corporate Limited, a legal firm based in Manchester entered a team featuring the NWV’s very own Scott “haven’t been on the hooks since 1993” O’Brien in his return to racing after a 26 year lay off. Some commented that despite the time gap from his last race, “he hadn’t lost it”. However, this comment was qualified by “but he has found about 12 kilos”.
A last minute change to the Beyond team meant that Beyond gaffer Jim Truscott was unable to race and so Peter Sagan look a like Chris Redhead was recruited to bolster the team.
The guys look resplendent in the NWV colours and both did sterling work on their laps as did the rest of the Beyond Corporate squad to secure a magnificent second place.
The winners were the Vittoria squad, a well drilled team of current and recently former nation champions and elite triathletes. Basically ringers. So, as many said, Beyond Corporate were in face the moral victors.
More importantly, everyone involved had a great time and enjoyed the day. A big well done to the organisers and Wirral Borough Council for putting on such a fantastic event.
Leave a Reply