NORTHWICH rider Matt Nowell and his BIKE Channel Canyon teammates strengthened their hold on third position during the Tour Series’ penultimate round on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old was 14th in Durham, second counter of Tim Elverson’s troops who stretched their lead over fourth-placed ONE Pro Cycling to two points with a single race – in Stevenage tonight – of the campaign remaining.

At the front a junior, Tom Pidcock, stormed to victory in only his second Tour Series appearance to make history as the first guest-team representative to claim an individual win.

The field had waited to start a race delayed by quarter of an hour following a heavy downpour that made a cobbled section of the course treacherous.

There were still crashes early on with James Lownsley-William, of BIKE Channel Canyon, among those forced back to the pits for an bike change.

Rory Townsend, another of Nowell’s teammates, clocked the fastest lap of the night – a 2:15.407 – to earn a trip to the podium after crossing the line in 12th position.

Meanwhile Harry Tanfield and Jack Pullar, a victor in Aberdeen on Friday, joined the former Sir John Deane’s College student among the top 20 finishers overall.

Defending champions JLT Condor had three riders inside the top five, securing team success ahead of second-placed Madison Genesis.