Cycling: Melton pro team Metaltek Kuona hit form at Manx International

Metaltek were outstanding at the Manx International GP to rise to sixth in the team standings in British Cycling’s Motorpoint Spring Cup.

Lack of preparation time hampered their chances at the cup’s opening round at the Chorley Grand Prix, with Adam Kenway the team’s best-placed finisher in 25th.

But Metaltek were in much better shape for last weekend as a five-man team arrived on the Isle of Man for round two with new Kuota Khan race bikes and GSG team clothing.

The course was three laps of the infamous TT circuit, including the six-mile ascent of Snaefell, for an energy-sapping 113 miles.

The 100-rider field included the best of the British domestic teams including NFTO, Wiggins and JLT Condor as well as the Team Sky pairing of Ben Swift and national champion Peter Kennaugh.

After a quiet first lap, Metaltek’s Adam Kenway broke clear in an eight-man group and was soon joined by team-mate Ryan Perry.

The race was all back together for the second mountain ascent and Metaltek team captain Dan Fleeman and team-mate Thomas Traviss-Pollard formed part of a 12-strong breakaway alongside eventual winner Ian Bibby (NFTO) and Swift.

Halfway up the climb six more riders clawed their way up to this front group including Kennaugh and Metaltek’s Ryan Perry.

As the race entered the last circuit, Kennaugh attacked, taking four others clear just before the critical last ascent.

Perry fell back on the steepest part of the climb as Bibby took charge. As the race descended back to the finish in Douglas, Fleeman crossed the line 10th with Traviss-Pollard a minute or so later in 12th. Perry hung on for 18th and Kenway placed 28th.

This weekend, Metaltek compete over two stages at the Tour of the Reservoir in Northumberland before returning home the following weekend for the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic.