British Racing Thread

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Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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Thought I'd set up a thread for anyone interested in the British domestic racing scene. So here goes....

This Sunday sees the start of the UK Premier Calendar Series with the Dengie Marshes Tour starting and finishing in Maldon, Essex. The race is 167 km (104 miles). Its main characteristic is the off-road sections along farm tracks in the area (think Tro Bro Leon and Rutland Cicle Classic) plus narrow and exposed roads similar to many in Flanders. There’s not much in the way of hills but the area is exposed to wind and the selection tends to be made on the off-road sections.

This year there are 9 off-road sectors, three of which are new sections all within the last 10 miles (15 km). One of these sections is 1.6 km long and may the point at which the race is decided.

Provisional startlist is at: http://www.dengiemarshestour.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73:2012-entry&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

For anyone interest there’ll likely be some twitter updates during the race. Last year there were highlights on Sky Sports but not sure this year. Photo’s and videos of last years race is on the main website.

The line up is probably the strongest for some years for a domestic race. The main favourites will be Zak Dempster, Alexandre Blain and Ian Wilkinson (Endura), Michael Berling (Cycle Premier – Kovert), Marcel Six (Metaltek Scott), Marcin Bialoblocki, (NODE 4 Giordana), Simon Yates (100% ME), Kristian House and Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Sharp), Wouter Sybrandy and Daniel Lloyd (Team IG – Sigma Sport), Bernard Sulzberger and Tobyn Horton (Team Raleigh – GAC), Yanto Barker (Team UK Youth).

Last years top 10:
1 Zak Dempster Rapha Condor Sharp
2 Graham Briggs Rapha Condor Sharp @ 43 Secs
3 Magnus Backstedt Team UK Youth
4 Luke Rowe 100% Me
5 Wouter Sybrandy Sigma Sport/Specialized
6 Johnny McEvoy Motorpoint @ 1-27
7 Kristian House Rapha Condor Sharp @ 3-30
8 Tobyn Horton Motorpoint
9 Marcin Bialoblocki Motorpoint
10 Dan Craven Rapha Condor Sharp
 
H

hatcher

Jul 24, 2010
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Good work, Rev.

Hard to see past Endura, with either Wilkinson or Alex Blain (or Zak Dempster, or Jonny McEvoy!) at this point, but Simon Yates was strong at Eddie Soens Mem. a few weeks back and has a sprint on him.

Should never write off Backstedt, but I don't know how much he's been riding this year.
 
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Sep 1, 2010
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hatcher said:
/Should never write off Backstedt, but I don't know how much he's been riding this year.
Click to expand...

Big fella's been ill for a couple of weeks and only just back on the bike so wouldn't expect much if he's even there this weekend.
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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I'm really looking forward to this race. Clearly Endura will be favourites with the line up they have and their success abroad. Also, the only other time they had a full team at a British race this year was the Soens where they finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd!!!.

I can't wait to see how the teams perform based on their varying build ups. Endura (Various), Rapha Condor Sharp (Taiwan and Normandy) and 100% ME (Normandy) have prepared for it by racing in foreign stage races. Raleigh have gone a slightly different route and gone for a stage race at altitude (Mexico).

Meanwhile, Node 4 Giordana, IG Sigma Sport, UK Youth and the other national ranked teams have predominantly raced the traditional UK early season classics.

I've got to say, Bialablocki looks really strong again this year and must have a chance. It'll be interesting to see how Dan Lloyd (no racing yet) and Michael Berling (former winner of the Cicle Classic) will get on.
 
will10

will10

Dec 27, 2010
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Pete Williams is in awesome shape, has been dominating CDNW. The 100%Me boys are going some as well, Sam Harrison in particular. The number of quality riders in these races has really increased over the last few years, definitely a boom period for British cycling.
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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will10 said:
Pete Williams is in awesome shape, has been dominating CDNW. The 100%Me boys are going some as well, Sam Harrison in particular. The number of quality riders in these races has really increased over the last few years, definitely a boom period for British cycling.
Click to expand...

I agree with Pete Williams. To be honest, it's a hard race to call because the course is so unpredictable and the relative strength/form of the riders is a bit unknown.

As for Sam Harrison, he's a massive talent. To be on the podium programme at BC at such a young age is a big thing for him. I'd say Simon Yates is a bit ahead of him at the moment with regards road racing.
 
Bye Bye Bicycle

Bye Bye Bicycle

Sep 28, 2010
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This thread is a good idea. :)

British domestic racing scene has always been a bit off my radar, however there is a lot of younger riders coming up (Simon Yates, George Atkins, Tom Moses, Owain Doull all from 100%ME) but also a lot of interesting riders you hardly see abroad: Marcin Bialoblocki, Chris Opie, Yanto Barker etc.

Is Bialoblocki more a puncheur or a sprinter? His huge amount of good results last year and in the first races of 2012 left me clueless so far regarding his abilities.
 
H

hatcher

Jul 24, 2010
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Bye Bye Bicycle said:
This thread is a good idea. :)

British domestic racing scene has always been a bit off my radar, however there is a lot of younger riders coming up (Simon Yates, George Atkins, Tom Moses, Owain Doull all from 100%ME) but also a lot of interesting riders you hardly see abroad: Marcin Bialoblocki, Chris Opie, Yanto Barker etc.

Is Bialoblocki more a puncheur or a sprinter? His huge amount of good results last year and in the first races of 2012 left me clueless so far regarding his abilities.
Click to expand...

Bit of an all-round strongman from what I've seen. He has won on just about every possible terrain the UK (and Ireland) can throw at him. Jens Voigt-lite. He would seem ideally suited for Dengie Marshes.
 
Bye Bye Bicycle

Bye Bye Bicycle

Sep 28, 2010
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Dengie Marshes Tour is under way:

x2_bc73aed
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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Alexander Blain (Endura) wins from Ben Grenda (Rapha Condor Sharp) and Matt Cronshaw (Node 4). Elite group of 15 or so riders contested the finish.
 
will10

will10

Dec 27, 2010
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Sounds like there were a series of cockups marshalling wise at Dengie Marshes...
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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Top 10 from the Dengie Marshes:
1. Alexandre Blain Endura Racing 3-56-05
2. Ben Grenda Rapha Condor Sharp st
3. Matt Cronshaw Node 4 – Giordana st
4. Roberto Cesaro Meridiana Kamen st
5. Simon Richardson IG Markets-Sigma Sport st
6. Marcin Bialoblocki Node 4 – Giordana st
7. Sam Harrison 100% ME st
8. Marcel Six Metaltek Scott st
9. Evan Oliphant Team Raleigh st
10. Owain Doull 100% ME st

Photo's can be seen at http://www.velouk.net/2012/04/01/live-text-photo-updates-from-the-2012-maldon-dengie-tour/

A short video can be seen from the link to Zam_Olyas post.

It sounds like the main peloton were about 3 minutes behind the leaders when they were sent the wrong way by the escort which put them out of the race. However, I can't see how theywould have caught them as the group up front had all the main teams in it.

As you would expect, there were quite a few crashes, the worst involving Declan Byrne of Cycle Premier who fractured a vertibrae and Andy Hastings (broken colarbone).

Blain was really up for it before the start so good that he got the win. Great to see Matt Cronshaw up there. A really good young rider who was treated a little harshly by Raleigh last year.

Good effort too by Owain Doull who was a junior last year.
 
H

hatcher

Jul 24, 2010
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Not an unexpected victor, but a couple of unexpected names up there.

Following it on twitter there seemed to be an endless string of falls/mechanicals from UK Youth riders. They evidently were one of the stronger teams numberswise at the pointy end, but had lots of bad luck.

Hoping some longer highlights crop up somewhere.
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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The 2nd round of the Premier Calendar is this weekend with the Tour Doon Hame which covers Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders in Scotland. This is the only stage race in the series.

Last years results are as follows:

Overall:
1st Zak Dempster (Aus) Rapha - Condor - Sharp
2nd Matt Cronshaw (Eng) Team Raleigh @ 1s
3rd Jack Bauer (NZ) Endura Racing @12s
K.O.M. Jack Bauer (NZ) Endura Racing
Sprints Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Team UK Youth
U23 Jonny McEvoy (Eng) Motorpoint Pro Cycling
Team Sigma Sport - Specialized Cycling Team

Stage 1 Moffat - Moffat, 92 miles
1. Matt Cronshaw (Eng) Team Raleigh
2. Zak Dempster (Aus) Rapha - Condor - Sharp @ st
3. Jack Bauer (NZ) Endura Racing @ st

Stage 2 Dumfries - Dumfries, 81 miles
1. Jonny McEvoy (Eng) Motorpoint Pro Cycling
2. Zak Dempster (Aus) Rapha - Condor - Sharp @ st
3. Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Team UK Youth @ st

Stage 3 Dumfries - Castle Douglas, 92 miles
1. Jonny McEvoy (Eng) Motorpoint Pro Cycling
2. Chris Opie (Eng) Pendragon - Le Col - Colnago @ st
3. Marcin Bialoblocki (Pol) Motorpoint Pro Cycling @ st

This years sees the race return to its spritiual home, Girvan. There are three stages split over 2 days, one of which is a criterium around Girvan. Stage details are as follows:

Stage 1- Caste Douglas to Girvan- 80 miles (Sunday 8th April)
tdh_2012_st1_route_profile.jpg


Stage 2- Girvan criterium- 16.5 miles (Sunday 8th April)

Stage 3- Moffat to Annan- 107 miles (Monday 9th April)
tdh_2012_st3_route_profile.jpg


The povisional startlist is here:
http://www.tourdoonhame.info/tdh_race_competitors.htm

The stages suggest it should be 3 bunch sprints so expect the spirnters in the field to be high up on GC. There is the chance a breakaway could survive, or at least a reduced field but this will depend on who is in the break and what the weather is like. The weather forecast suggests westerly winds for Sunday and Monday of about 10-15 miles an hour (16-25 km/hr) so there is the chance that a strong team could split the race, especially on the run in to Girvan and on the flat lands around Annan.

The pressure will be on Endura as this is their 'home' race so expect a strong showing from them. I'll go with McEvoy or Thwaites for the win.
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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Well. What a race for Endura. They won all 3 stages (Rowsell, Thwaites and McEvoy), won the KOM jersey (Wetterhall) the points jersey (Thwaites) the team classification and 1, 2, 3 on GC (McEvoy 1st, Rowsell 2nd and Thwaites 3rd). It's fair to say they had a perfect 'home' race.

It's also great that the top 3 were all U23 British riders. All 3 are excellent prospects and makes the decision by BC not to send them to the U23 nations cup races to look stupid.

Also, over in N.Ireland, James Moss of Node4 won the Tour of the North.
 
M

mudplugger

Feb 22, 2012
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Reverend_T_Preedy said:
It's also great that the top 3 were all U23 British riders. All 3 are excellent prospects and makes the decision by BC not to send them to the U23 nations cup races to look stupid.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it would have been nice to see the National Champion's Jersey on show. I'm sure it would have been there had an Academy rider won it.

Do not know about stupid, but biased and deliberate are appropriate.

McEvoy is 1989 birth so not eligible, Rowsell & Thwaites both 1990 so ok. They also rode the Worlds last year in a far superior team with Rowe, Fenn etc and outperformed the Academy riders only a couple of weeks back at Tour of Normandy.They have good performances in other UCI races based on the Endura site.

Some contradictions in the managers comments on BC site as well, as it stresses the need to do very well in Nations Cups to secure a 6th rider place at the Worlds, but willing to race inexperienced riders as opposed to much stronger riders. There are shed loads of races in Europe where the younger Academy lads could get experience. It also seems wrong that BC are not trying to develop British cyclists but only Academy cyclists who they select, manage and coach. The top u23s and that includes Rowsell & Thwaites should have the opportunity to put themselves in the shop window by riding the best European u23 races such as Nations Cups etc. I understand you cannot ignore the Academy lads, but to bring in the likes of Rowsell and Thwaites on a rota basis to strengthen the team, yet retain a predominance of Academy riders is not unreasonable.

Its rumoured that at least one Endura rider had freed up his race programme and declared himself available, but was told he couldnt ride as they wanted to use the Academy riders. Jobs for the boys???

The results from the first round were unimpressive so I hope they improve otherwise, the lack of strategic thinking may prove costly.
 
H

hatcher

Jul 24, 2010
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Endura are still killing it. Thwaites and Rowsell both look to have made big strides this year.
 
R

Reverend_T_Preedy

Feb 12, 2010
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Endura are dominating it so far. They've won every Premier Calander so far (including all 3 stages of the Tour Doon Hame) and won the Rutland Melton Cicle classic. Very impressive so far.

I've been more than disapointed in some of the teams. All the other teams have had sporadic challenges to them with the exception of UK Youth who have missed out in most rounds.

Can't wait for the Lincoln GP this weekend. My favourite race and I'll be there again to see it.

The race should suit many of the Endura riders. The team includes the entire podium from last year (Thwaites, Bibby and McEvoy) plus previous multiple winner Russ Downing and this years sensation John Tiernen Locke. They'll be supported by Dean Windsor, Erick Rowsell (having a great year), Ian Wilkinson and Oli Beckingsdale (MTB rider).

I fancy Rapha to show up on Sunday and challenge. Sulzberger is also due a result I think.
 
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