Young British Pro Cyclists

I don't know if anyone else noticed but Andrew Fenn, who was third in the World U23s last year, took two races in a row in Majorca over the weekend in very impressive style.

With that as a starting point, I wanted to create a thread to keep an eye on the fortunes of the younger British cyclists in the pro-peloton this season...

We've already seen Adam Blythe showing in Qatar, and Luke Rowe wasn't too far down the field in the Trofeo Palma in Majorca either.

Fenn just got a nice write up in Velochrono
http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2012/qui-est-andrew-fenn/

and page 52 of the latest Pro Cycling in their 5 for the future article.

That is a really excellent piece.

Endura Racing won the first stage of the Tour Med today with Jonathan Tiernan-Locke. I think that might be Endura's first win?

You beat me to it. I think it is their first continental win. Given that he's now 27 (I think), JTL has suddenly emerged almost as if from nowhere (in European terms) over the last couple of seasons. He certainly seems to be improving markedly as a cyclist. Perhaps there is someone here who knows more about him (in terms of the domestic British scene before last season). All I know is that he used to be a mountain-biker in his teens.

Before the race started his French team mate Alex Blain said he's a great climber and could do well on the Mont Faron stage, but he obviously didn't bother waiting for that. Could do well for the overall then?
If you can read French, then Velochrono have again come up with the goods.
http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2012/qui-est-jonathan-tiernan-locke/

I can, thanks! I should have checked there first. That series is excellent...

So JTL's natural talent and hard work is finally showing results after coming back from a period of illness and reconsidering his life... evne more impressive.

I had a feeling he'd take the overall today. That's a fine win for Tiernan-Locke and Endura. Well done!

"Jon Tiernan-Locke (Endura Racing) stormed up the Col de Garde in a solo effort on a weather-shortened closing stage to win the overall title in the Tour Méditerranéen.'

Nobody bothered? I reckon it deserves a photo.

http://www.velouk.net/2012/02/12/report-jon-locke-wins-the-tour-of-the-med/

Awesome - he rode away from the likes of Navarro and Garzelli. That's a performance he won't forget...

Thought he was very good in the Tour of Britain last year. Was pleased to see he'd done well. Be interesting to see what races Endura go to this year as he could spring a few more surprises.

Yes, JTL was the first name that sprang to mind when I saw this thread title, remembering his ride in the ToB last year. His ride in the Tour of the Med this year was even more impressive. Clearly a talent worth watching. How long will it be before Sky snap him up?

d.

He's not so young though and I think they prefer the younger riders.

Ah, yes. Just read that he's 27. Thought he was younger than that.

d.

there you go
http://www.enduraracing.com/Dept.aspx?dept_id=2

As for Sky snapping hime up, I doubt they'll be the only team talking to his agent after this win - he blew off Navarro, Garzelli and Sorenson on that climb.

As Eric Morecombe used to say, " there's no answer to that"

JTL 3rd in 1st stage of Tour de Haut Var. Available on the Internet on france3cotedazur.fr from 2-4 our time tomorrow. Could he win another comp? Up against Gilbert, Voeckler, Gerrans amongst others. Russell Downing 10th as well.

JTL won again and having listened to the interview (his French isn't bad) I think he said he'd talked to a world tour team last week.

I reckon this deserves another photo