JAMES Lowsley-Williams finished 11th in the Perfs Pedal in Portsmouth on Sunday.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Oaksey, rode aggressively to help pave the way for his new BIKE Channel Canyon team-mate Chris Opie to triumph.

Rory Townsend, another member of the new UCI Continental team, and Opie got themselves in a break of four as the 74km race reached its climax.

Townsend made a solo bid for victory but after he was reeled in by runner-up Jacob Vaughan and Jack Billyard, who finished fourth, Opie powered past to clinch his second Perfs Pedal crown.

Lowsley-Williams’ new team completed a superb debut outing, with Rob Partridge finishing fifth and Mitchell Webber taking 12th.

BIKE Channel Canyon sports director Tim Elverson said: “We were pretty pleased with the result. We wanted to win the race, which wasn’t easy with everyone out to beat us, and put in a good performance.

“Chris won it and for a lot of people, was the obvious pre-race winner. Rory had a good go but unfortunately got caught at the back end of the race.

“It was a good race. Everyone was aggressive and we will learn a lot from this. There is still a lot of work to be done.

"It’s a new team but we are delighted to start with a win.”