|
Location: Abergavenny Rugby Club Bailey Park, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Event: 14 July 2013

| | |

Team Raleigh’s Evan Oliphant could secure the overall Premier Calendar title at the penultimate round of the series, the Grand Prix of Wales.

Part of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, Sunday’s race follows the Wales Open Criterium in the Elite Circuit Series on Friday night.

The Grand Prix of Wales was last part of the Premier Calendar series in 2007 when David Millar - currently riding in the Tour de France for Garmin Sharp - won with the Saunier Duval-Prodir team.

In the 2013 season, fellow Scot Oliphant currently holds a 19 point lead over teammate Tom Stewart after a third place finish at the Stockton Grand Prix and knows another podium finish is likely to be required in Abergavenny if he is to remain top of the standings.

A win for Oliphant could see him secure the series if the result goes his way.

Premier Calendar top 3

Evan Oliphant 246
Team Raleigh

Tom Stewart 227
Team Raleigh

Chris Opie 146
Team UK Youth

But with 100 points for the victor in Wales plus the Ryedale Grand Prix to follow, Stewart can once more swap places with Tour of the Reservoir victor Oliphant having topped the standings after the Beaumont Trophy.

Both riders have collected points in every round thus far to distance third place Chris Opie (Team UK Youth) whose 140 points all came at the opening Tour of the Reservoir. Opie is listed to start and can launch a final bid for overall honours.

Behind Opie, Peter Hawkins (Team IG - Sigma Sport) hasn’t taken points since the University of Lincoln Grand Prix while Mike Northey (Node4 - Girodana Racing) isn’t set to race.

After victory for Ian Wilkinson in Stockton, Team UK Youth will go in search of another win in what has been a rewarding 2013, demonstrated with four riders in the top 10 for the Tour Series winners.

Stockton Town Centre Elite Circuit Series race winner George Atkins will be the sole rider from 100%ME as Dean Downing returns for Madison Genesis after his sprint win at the Beaumont Trophy.

Graham Briggs’ second at Stockton has showed signs of a return to form after injury for the 2012 Elite Circuit Series winner.

The 103 mile course starts and finishes in Abergavenny taking in Usk, Raglan, Monmouth, Cross Ash and Mardy including the Iron Mountain ascent, before riders will complete ten laps of a short circuit in Abergavenny where the winner will be decided.

Start list