Cycling: Heading south part of Endura's tough race schedule

RIDERS from the West Lothian professional cycling outfit Endura Racing Team will be looking for a morale-boosting performance when they line up for the second round of the British Tour Series in Exeter this evening, writes COLIN RENTON.

A squad of five flew south today to contest an event that will be broadcast on national television tomorrow and will return north immediately after the event.

The group is headed by James McCallum, who will be looking for a solid performance to round off his preparations for Saturday's Edinburgh Nocturne where he is keen to make an impression. The 30-year-old Capital based Commonwealth Games bronze medallist has been in good form of late and was edged out in a tight finish to Sunday's Scottish Power Renewables Criterium in Dumfries.

The race was won by British road race champion Rob Hayles from Olympic team pursuit gold medallist Ed Clancy. Both are expected to compete tonight before travelling to Edinburgh for Saturday's race in the city's Grassmarket.

Joining McCallum on the trip south will be David Lines, Scott Macrae, Callum Wilkinson and Josh James.