Southam building form

By Shane Stokes

British rider Tom Southam is riding the Tour of Britain as part of the Barloworld team but didn't seem too confident about his form this morning. "I'm not going well," he said. "I had a bad crash earlier in the year and came back too fast after it. I never really got going properly again."

Southam will hope to get some condition this week as he should be riding the world championships. "I'll be going there to help Roger [Hammond]," he said. Southam lived close to Madrid earlier this year, staying with team-mate David Plaza, but has since moved back to Italy. He's got another year to run with Barloworld and so is aiming to get a good winter in and post some strong rides in 2006.

The 2004 British road race silver medalist is known as something of a character. He sported a large pair of Elvis shades at the Tour de Langkawi earlier this year, and last night wore a fake moustache in the Glasgow Grand Prix. "A mate sent me a packet of them, and I've got another seven left," he said with a smile.