Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2015

Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2015 – Rounds 7 and 8. Fast, tight and very quick racing by the cream of British Cycling what’s not to like?

Out of any of the cycling events and races I cover over the course of a year I think The Tour Series is my favorite. The races only last for just over an hour but they are very intense and a challenge to cover, I think that’s why I like it so much. This year the Woking round had been moved to Croydon which was round 7 it was also supported by round 3 of the Womans Matrix Fitness Grand Prix which was won by Scot Charline Joiner from Team WNT.

Charline Joiner, Team WNT celebrates winning the Croydon round of the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series.

Charline Joiner, Team WNT celebrates winning the Croydon round of the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series.

An exciting race insued around the tight and twisty Croydon circuit

The main Tour Series event was not going to disappoint either. with more than a few crashes and it was unfortunately the current leaders Maddison Genesis who came off worse. With two of their riders crashing out of contention a problem when The whole series is a team points affair!

Pedal Heavens Alex Payton is being heralded as the surpise package over the last couple of seasons

Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2015 - Pedal Heavens Alex Payton

Pedal Heavens Alex Payton

But after a thrilling end it was One PRO Cycling‘s Marcin Bialoblocki that took the individual win

Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2015. One Pro Cycling's Marcin Bialoblocki celebrates crossing the line first. Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 7 Croydon.

One Pro Cycling’s Marcin Bialoblocki celebrates crossing the line first. Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 7 Croydon.

Two days later and the action moved to Canary Wharf. Four corners and Four straights. An all together a different kind of race.

Ready on the start line. Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 8 Canary Wharf.

Ready on the start line. Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 8 Canary Wharf.

One PRO Cycling laid down the gauntlet with a fantastic team effort.

Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2015. Round 8 Canary Wharf.

Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 8 Canary Wharf.

But in one of the closest photo-finishes I can recall it was NFTO‘s  Steele Von Hoff that took the individual honors from JLT Condors Ed Clancy.

Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2015 - NFTO's Australian Criterium Champion Steele Von Hoff and JLT Condor's Ed Clancy giving a photo finish! Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 8 Canary Wharf.

NFTO’s Australian Criterium Champion Steele Von Hoff and JLT Condor’s Ed Clancy giving a photo finish! Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Round 8 Canary Wharf.

D-Day Landings – 71 Years on

I wanted to mark the anniversary of the D-Day landings but I was not sure what picture to use. A bit of thought and for me the choice was obvious. A couple of weeks ago I was on a press job covering the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo in Ramsgate. Where a fleet of small boats crossed the channel to rescue stranded allied troops from northern France.

During the event there was a fly past of a Spitfire and a Hurricane. Right in front of my was somebody with a huge Union Flag, the frame made itself definitely a case of of right place, right time.

I had originally thought it was the spitfire, but I was later corrected by a Anorak friend. It is of course the Hurricane.

A fly past by a Spitfire and Hurricane completed the send off. Operation Dynamo 75th anniversary. A selection of ships leave Ramsgate harbour and sail to Dunkirk accompanied by the Royal Navy and RNLI to mark the occasion.

A fly past by a Spitfire and Hurricane completed the send off. Operation Dynamo 75th anniversary. A selection of ships leave Ramsgate harbour and sail to Dunkirk accompanied by the Royal Navy and RNLI to mark the occasion.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.