Jonathan Tiernan-Locke wins Tour of the Mediterranean 2012
Jon Tiernan-Locke (Endura Racing) became the first British rider to win the Tour Méditerranéen after taking victory in today's snow-affected final stage.
The Brit started the day third overall, but his hopes of overhauling Garmin-Barracuda's Michel Kreder at the top of the standings appeared to have been dealt a blow when the planned summit finish on Mont Faron was abandoned because of the inclement weather.
Nonetheless, the 27-year-old from Devon attacked in the run in on the Col des Gardes to take his second stage win in the race and clinch the overall victory.
Previously, Tiernan-Locke's best ever performance was a fifth in last year's Tour of Britain. It was there he showed off his climbing prowess as he went on to win the King of the Mountains classification.
Despite reported interested from a number of WorldTour teams, Tiernan-Locke made the switch from Rapha-Condor-Sharp to Endura Racing for 2012; the Tour of the Med was his first race in his new colours.
Results
Tour Méditerranéen, stage four: Toulon-Col du Corps de Garde, 87km
1. Jon Tiernan-Locke (GBr) Endura Racing
2. Daniel Navarro (Spa) Saxo Bank at 17 secs
3. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua e Sapone at same time
4. Angel Mardrazo (Spa) Movistar at 22 secs
5. Nicki Sorensen (Den) Saxo Bank at 27 secs
6. Laurent Mangel (Fra) Saur-Sojasun
7. Julien El Fares (Fra) Team Type 1
8. Romain Hardy (Fra) Bretagne-Schuller
9. Thibault Pinot (Fra) FDJ-BigMat
10. Andrey Amador (CRc) Movistar at same time
Final overall classification
1. Jon Tiernan-Locke (GBr) Endura Racing
2. Michel Kreder (Ned) Garmin-Barracuda at 27 secs
3. Daniel Navarro (Spa) Saxo Bank at 31 secs
4. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone at 33 secs
5. Angel Madrazo (Spa) Movistar at 42 secs
6. Romain Hardy (Fra) Bretagne-Schuller at 47 secs
7. Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Astana
8. Fabrice Jeandesboz (Fra) Saur-Sojasun
9. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) Ag2r La Mondiale
10. Andrey Amador (CRc) Movistar at same time
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke wins Tour Méditerranéen
Related links
Tiernan-Locke takes Tour of the Med opener
Tiernan-Locke loses Tour of the Med lead to Hutarovich
Reader comments
Add your comments
Phil
February 12 17:14
Jon Tiernan-Locke is a class act. Would love to see him on a World tour team. Well done Endura as well.
Pete
February 12 18:28
There'll be a few DS's making a mental note of his name this evening.
carl
February 12 19:01
great result ! the brits are making their mark on world cycling
arronski
February 12 20:12
Top ride by JTL great climber, he made mince-meat of the peleton on HayTor in the TOB (spent the night freezing in my camper to cheer him on and Cavandish of course (agree with Phil he would fit well in a World Tour Team !
Alan
February 12 20:43
Fantastic news. Well done Jon. You have yourself a good look at the names of those guys below you in the final GC, and be very very proud of yourself mate !
Mr C
February 12 21:44
I think this boy is going places. Very classy rider. Well done Jon and Endura.
Mark Jones
February 13 09:45
Well done Jon and I bet there are a few World Tour teams kicking themselves for not signing him after the ToB. This is a great result for both rider and team and it is just the start Endura needed to get invites to similar races this year.
JD
February 13 09:52
Stunning win. Bet the big-name riders were miffed. Pity this guy isn't on a bigger team because it's becoming apparent that he's good enough.