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

The 25-year-old, who hails from Tetbury but now 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.

“I think Rory cooked his goose trying to get away. He was away for a while on his own at the end but Jacob Vaughan and Jack Billyard pulled very hard and rode really well to bring him back.

“And then we had Rob, who very nearly caught the front four at the end, while trying not to tow anyone across the gap. That was an impressive finish.

“So first, third and fifth, with Hank (Lowsley-Williams) and Mitchell coming in with the next group, we have to be happy with that for our first 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.”

BIKE Channel Canyon’s official team launch will take place at the London Bike Show on Sunday, February 19 (1.15pm).

Follow the progress of the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.