Etienne Georgi took a fine win on day two of the Junior Tour of The Mendips to take the GC and the series lead overall.

Georgi, riding for The Giant Cycling Club-Halo Films team, consolidated his second place on the first stage on a brutal course around The Mendip Hills.

Severn Road Club’s Matt Fratesi secured the King of Mountains and with no sprint competition on day two, Spokes RT’s Grant Martin retained the sprinters title. Giant Cycling Club - Halo Films took the team award.

A total of 78 kilometres and three leg-sapping climbs greeted the race on the second day of the tour.

Spokes RT’s Grant Martin started the day a slender two second lead over Etienne Georgi but Georgi had arguably the stronger team to control the day.

A tough start to the stage saw the bunch head west out of Bishop Sutton through the North Somerset villages of West Harptree and Compton Martin before the narrow, twisting roads through Blagdon and onto the first climb of the day at Burrington Combe, the long drag splitting the field over some minutes.

Matt Fratesi jumped away from Sherwood Pines’ Josh Waters and Darragh Mahony (Cycling Ireland) to take the King of Mountain points.

Taking advantage of the decimated field. VCUK PH-MAS’ Robert Scott attacked as the field began to come together and took a small gap. Team mate Adam Hartley and York Cyclework’s Robert Grey tried to bridge the gap to the leader with the bunch slow to respond, but as the race headed towards Wells, 11 riders worked to form a strong-looking lead group.

The return through Blagdon took on the second climb of the day a 14% sting which again had split the field from the turn to the summit.

NFTO RC’s Hefin Evans and Luke Morgan got the jump to take the King of Mountains first and second respectively and Corley’s Robert Hogg, Jack Mattock and Michael O’Loughlin(Cycling Ireland) took the remaining points.

As the road turned left and descended towards Chedder Gorge, two groups of eight riders took the chance and got away. With both groups realising the winner could come from either group, fourteen riders made one big group with two riders dropping back to what was left of the field. Georgi, Quarterman, Mattock and Hogg had made the break.

As the race headed out for the final half lap, a group of five made their play hitting the final climb of Harptree Hill, Mattock attacking first, Quarterman feeling the reaction and slipping back.

Georgi made an attack with Harry Luxton(RUTrainingtoday CC) slipping away to leave the final three to fight for the win. Georgi had the chequered flag in his sights and a final attack saw him cross the line alone, leaving Mattock and Hogg to contest the sprint for second. Mattock crossed the line second to make it a one-two for Giant Cycling Team.

Results:

Stage two winner:
Etienne Georgi (Giant Cycling Club-Halo Films)

Overall winner:
Etienne Georgi (Giant Cycling Club-Halo Films)