SOUTH Shropshire’s Marc Beaumont is the new leader of the Halo British Downhill Mountain Bike Series after a stunning performance in round three.
The Craven Arms ace finished second to 2009 world champion Stephen Peat at the event held in Moelfre, near Oswestry.
And that was enough for Beaumont to leapfrog Llangyngog’s Atherton brothers – who were away competing in America – and take the overall lead in the five race series.
Beaumont has a 21 point advantage over Dan Atherton with younger brother Gee Atherton three points further adrift in third place.
Competing in the Elite men section Beaumont, riding for GT Bikes, came desperately close to pinching overall victory as he lost out to Peat by just 0.054 seconds.
And he will be hopeful of holding on to his current lead when the series concludes in Caersws next month.