NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL | WELSH CYCLING | ROBERT PRICE BUILDERS MERCHANTS | OWEN CONSTRUCTION | NEWPORT FORD

| THE COURSE | THE CHARITY RIDE | NICOLE'S INTERVIEW | THE RACES | INTRODUCTION | FORMER WINNERS |
| WOMEN COMPETITORS | MALE COMPETITORS | JULIAN WINN INTERVIEW | RACHEL HEAL | COURSE WITH JULIAN |

BRITISH CYCLING
MENS NATIONAL ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP (click for the Womens Report)

Report and Pictures by Larry Hickmott

Sunday 29, June 2003:

NEWPORT (Wales), In an epic battle over 132 miles today, the new British Cycling National Road Champion, Roger Hammond was crowned in the stunning setting of the Celtic Manor Resort. It was a stunning ride from Hammond as well after he got away on his own along way from home but continued to pull way fom the chasers, all the way to the line.

The day started in the Grand setting of the Celtic Manor Resort, a place more known for its golf courses but also blessed with many fine sporting facilities. How strange it was seeing people I normally see in village halls, walking around a plush (or posh if you like) hotel complex. Think of the Ritz but bigger and you get the idea.

At the start finish area just outside the hotel entrance, the riders were being introduced by a well known voice on Eurosport, David Duffield and one by one, they came down to sign on at the start with some of the more well known riders being nabbed by David for an on the start line interview. As the time rolled around towards 11am, the 100 plus riders assembled and were soon flagged away by Celtic Manor's Matthew Stephens who I must thank for all his help over the weekend. I can't remember getting more support from a host than we had by the people at Celtic Manor.

Back to the race!. The riders were flagged away from the start by Celtic Manor's Matthew Stephens and it wasn't a good start for Yanto Barker who punctured in the neutralised and sitting on the back of a motorbike as the huge field made its way down Cast Ash lane, we also had the sight of riders stopping at the side of the road to attend to .. well, you know!

Once the riders were on the A48, the flag dropped for the race to start, the big group of riders was soon lined out. You would never have thought they had a 132 miles ahead of them. This was no ordinary bike race!

Following the race on the back of a motor bike thanks to Derek Jones, we were also able to see first hand the rolling road closure where a police outrider would stop oncoming cars, and after a few minutes another outrider would come along and replace him and so on, forming a rolling closure (with the help of other motor cycle marshals as well) that allowed the riders and convoy to race without the worry of oncoming traffic. After only a few miles with a number of attacks being launched, a small group (around 10) formed and among the riders were Tom Southam (Nantes 44), Scott Gamble (Ashfield RC), Ben Luckwell (FS Maestro), George Richardson (CycleOps Kona), Graham Briggs (Life Repair) Kevin Dawson (Life Repair RT, riding with a wrist strap because of injury), Aarron McCaffrey (Team Milton Keynes), Nigel Wilson (JF Wilson Cycles), and John Charlesworth (South Yorkshire Police). Apolgies to the other riders I didn't recognise!

Chasing alone were Dean Downing (John Saey) and Huw Pritchard (AngliaSport) and then behind that, the bunch was already fracturing under the pace. We then moved on to the next village of Llanvair Discoed and leading the break over the first part of the 3 mile climb was George Richardson. Huw Pritchard was now on his own with the bunch only a few seconds behind led by Giant rider Jamie Norfolk and Anthony Malarczyk (4 Bikesonline-Argon 18).

We then dropped in behind the peloton which was spread across the road and decided to take a shortcut to Belmont hill as there was little chance of getting past them even on a motor bike. First around the corner at the bottom of Belmont came the break with a number of news faces such as Huw Pritchard. Tom Southam was having a dig up the steep climb along with Matt Stephens and we then waited for the chasers which were lead by Matt Ellis, Bryan Steel (Team Chilwell) and Chris Newton (Corima RT).

Once we had got back to the front of the race, Matt Stephens as having continuing to have a dig and was seen riding away from the rest along the A48 as the face of the race was starting to change and some well known faces like Cofidis pro Rob Hayles and defending champion Julian Winn (Team Fakta) were coming to the front. Stephens was soon joined by Tom Southam and the two started to build a gap on the rest led by Matt Ellis and Dean Downing (both riding in John Saey colours). Roger Hammond was also starting to show his colours near the front of the race.

With the race having gone past, we moved on to the climb at Wentwood, nearer the top now just as the final steep section starts and Matthew Stephens was still clear but this time, the three up group was lead by former champion (twice) Jeremy Hunt (team Otkus/MBK) with Jamie Norfolk also in there. Next along came Anthony Malarczyk followed by Kevin Dawson and Jamie Alberts (CC Etupes) seconds ahead of the bunch lead by Julian Winn and Malcolm Elliot. The race by now was starting to split and one by one, groups were coming by us until we dropped in behind the race to again, take the short cut to Belmont.

As an indication of the speed of the race, we took the most direct route on vary narrow roads and even on a motorbike, we only arrived minutes before the race came around the corner to start the climb of Belmont. This was going to be their third time up the climb, and the race winning break by now had formed at the front and while many of the favourites were missing, the strength of the group (around 14 riders) was such that few could see this being pulled back. Behind, a group of three lead by Robin Sharman with Matt Ellis and Alex Coutts (Team Endurasport.com) was chasing and then behind them Ian Wilkinson (SIS.com) with the bunch lead by Daniel Lloyd (Team Endurasport.com) and Steve Cummings (Sport and Publicity).

With the wide road of the A48 allowing us room to get back to the front, we managed to get alongside the break and start putting some names to the faces of the riders present. In the lead were Julian Winn, Chris Newton, Jamie Norfolk, Tom Southam, Paul Manning (VC St Raphael/Waite Contracts), Malcolm Elliot (GS Pinarello), Jamie Alberts, Jon Dayus, Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport), Roger Hammond, David Clarke (TeamEndurasport.com), Hamish Haynes (Adidak/CKvL), Jeremy Hunt, and Anthony Malarczyk. With the riders coming to the front down the right of the string, one by one they took a turn at the front as they drove onwards and the gap behind started to open up. As we sat in front of them for the next eight miles, the group continued to work and with no prospect of any attacking at this point, we dropped in behind them as they dropped down the very quick descent.

Above: The break that was never to be seen again crests the top of Belmont Hill with Jamie Norfolk and Matthew Stephens leading the way.

At the end of the lap, they started the first of the seven finishing laps and foolishly I thought they would continue to work together for another few laps before testing each other. Wrong! As they came around after the first of the finishing laps, it was World Points champion (and Irish RAS stage race winner) Chris Newton who lead the race.

Behind him, Hamish Haynes, a rider some in the know felt was a dark horse for the title, and the rest of the break with Jon Dayus (Nanes 44) leading Matt Stephens and the splits already starting to happen. Roger Hammond was in the 3rd group on the road along with Jeremy Hunt.

Half a lap on, and Newton still lead as they exited out onto Cat Ash road but behind Tom Southam was driving the break in pursuit of him, his eyes firmly fixed on the rider ahead.

The pace and distance was starting to tell now and a rider who had been at the front all day, Jamie Norfolk was start to lose ground. A shame after such a good ride. Next lap and still five to go, and the face at the front of the race had changed and it was Roger Hammond leading. The lead at this point was only a few seconds ahead of Matt Stephens and Jeremy Hunt and the rest spread out over the length of Belmont. Defending champion Julian Winn was nowhere to be seen and word came through that he had cramped only minutes after attacking the break on the Wentwood climb. It was a cruel blow to a rider who had overcome illness to get into shape for this race which takes place only 20 miles from his home. He will, no doubt, be back to try and get the jersey again.

We then sat in behind the chase group and after a quick look at it, over took it and went in pursuit of Hammond. It took us half a lap on the motorbike to cross the gap that was opening up at an alarming rate for his rivals and after getting a picture of him (above) on the little climb before they descend to Bulmore road, we saw that Stephens and Hunt were chasing hard while Jon Dayus was in turn chasing them only a handful seconds back.

With Bulmore road only just the width of a car, we accelerated away behind Jon Dayus, as the dust from the follow cars was an indication of the speed of the race. A quick glance over Derek's shoulder at the speedo of the motorbike and it was reading 30mph plus on the flatish but very narrow and gritty road. Dayus continued to pursue Stephens and Hunt and caught them as they climbed Belmont.

Time for some quick pictures and we then got in behind Hammond to follow him through the finish area which was a little empty due to the crowds on the top of Belmont. Hammonds lead was growing quickly, a minute a lap someone said, but the chase group now had Jamie Alberts to help it along.

Above: Jamie Alberts leads Matt Stephens as they chase Hammond. Stephens however, the only non-full time rider among them, was soon to run out of "gas" and had to give best with only 10 miles to go.

But even with four riders chasing one, Hammond was in storming form and continuing to open the gap. While the Tour of Switzerland had helped him gain the form necessary to go the distance, Matthew Stephens working full time as a police man, looking after a young family and racing on a diet of turbo training and weekend races, started to feel the distance in his legs. It had been an awesome and aggressive ride from a very popular rider in the UK but his time ran out a lap from the end and he was a few seconds behind Hunt, Alberts and Dayus, who lead the chasers through the finish area.

Hammond meanwhile continued to power along on all the way to the finish line where he had 5 minutes plus on the next rider across the line, Jeremy Hunt with an exhausted Jamie Alberts next in as his family jumped with joy as the current under 23 champion took a bronze medal in the senior race.

A lap earlier, Tom Southam and Mark Lovatt, the latter struggling after food poisoning during the week, were pulled out of the race but given equal 8th place. It had been an epic race organised by Bill Owen with help from the members of the WCU. A struggle for one and all in the race and when I approached Roger Hammond minutes after he had finished, he could hardly stand let alone walk. He had given everything to win the jersey he'll take back to Belgium where it will again, be part of the European peloton.

ROGER HAMMOND POST RACE REACTIONS: Asked to sum up how he felt the race went, his first words were "it was hard, very hard". When asked why he went so early, he said "I got carried away. Chris went and Jez chased and Jon Dayus went across. That was a dangerous move so I went across and then Chris blew after doing a lap on his own. I went over the top and I thought Jez was going to ride with me. I wanted to make it hard on the finishing circuit for everybody else and I think Jez was just having a bad day so it played in my favour."

Explaining why he felt so good, he said "I got form from the Tour of Switzerland. In a way, its not really fair that these guys ride one Premier calendar a week and I've just come from an 11 day Tour with the worlds best pros."

I then quized Roger about what thejersey meant to him. He is after all a rider who has won a World Champion's jersey as a junior in cyclo cross and is also the current senior cyclo cross champion. "Its the first time I've won this jersey. I won the crit championships when I was younger. Its important. Its always important. Its something people can talk about. I'm fortunate I've won a Junior World Championship so whenever I'm introduced at a cycle race, I'm introduced as a World Champion."

Roger then went onto explain that "For Julian (Winn), it had been the most important thing he had done in his career because its something that separates him from somebody else. For me, its going to be nice. Its an added motivation to have the National Champion's jersey on and I din't cane myself in a race like this for nothing. I don't know what its going to bring, you never know. I just hope it brings lots (victories in Europe).

Talking about what's next for the rider from Buckinghamshire who had his family on the finish line to witness his great triumph, Roger said "I was supposed to go to Poland after this but they said if I won the championship I could stay at home for week so I'm staying home for a week!"

JULIAN WINN: After talking to Roger and walking to the presentation area, I came upon a disappointed Julian Winn, who was in storming form. "I had the twinges -- I felt really good" he said. "I thought, I'm in with a chance here. The third time up Wentwood, I made a little acceleration to see who wanted to play and I was thinking this is looking okay for me. Then Jamie went up Belmont and I just went with him and felt fine, and every time you get a gap it gives you confidence."

"And then I started cramping and that was it. Coming up to Belmont for the fifth or 6th time, the thigh just completely locked up, I couldn't even turn the pedals."

"I am disappointed something like that stopped me because I had good legs. But its done now so. .. Roger did a terrific ride and he's thoroughly worthy of being the National Champion."

JEREMY HUNT: Second had been a rider who has twice won gold, the South Wests Jeremy Hunt. The night before, he had the pleasure of staying at the Celtic Manor prior to the race looked in form and ready to race. A different rider to the one in the Five Valleys who pushed hard but had problems with his knee which saw him retire from the race. His first reaction was similar to Hammonds, "it was a hard race." But when asked if his knee caused him problems, he explained that "I have been having massages from my team and Gavin (Great Britain team physio) gave me a good massage yesterday and it loosened off. And it was alright today. Its not perfect but it got me through today. I just have to rest it now but I wanted to get through this first."

Jeremy said that he felt he could Roger during the race, he felt that good but when Roger went, we realised it wasn't to be. "I was going good and I jumped across (to the four chasers) and they put me into difficulty for a couple of laps. Then I went off with Roger and he went off on his own and that was it."

He was though pleased with the help fo the GB team which he gets as an Elite affiliate. "It does help because when we come back to the UK, we haven't got much back up and its nice to have a bit of help from the GB squad."

As for the rest of the year, and contract talks, he says "I am talking and we'll see what happens. I'll have a rest now and then build up for August and see how we get on." A target is again the GP Plouay, his biggest win to date last year and one he would dearly love to do again this year. "We'll see. I had a good preparation race last year in Portugal and so hopefully I can link some races together and do the same sort of thing."

JAMIE ALBERTS: I then went across to the bronze medalist, Jamie Alberts. He's come a long way since I first saw him in the GP of Essex many years. Based in France and talking to another the races key riders and last years silver medalist Tom Southam, Jamie explained it was the head not the legs that was a problem. "I was never there when it went and I was really disappointed in myself. I was in group with Tom and we got to the finishing circuit, and there was a hundred k to go, and we were creeping. And then after that I got across and it had calmed down a bit."

Talking about how the split happened originally, Jamie says a group of about 50 went first and then on Wentwood for the third time, a smaller group pulled away. Although dissapointed , he said "Its a privilege to be on the podium with the likes of Jez and Roger, as well as get the UCI points and all that."

MAT STEPHENS: Finally, a real hero came past and I took the opportunity to have a word. Matthew Stephens. Right from the word go, he raced and raced hard. Asked how it went for him, Matthew said "It was probably one of the most difficult races I have ever ridden to be honest. But I knew because of the type of roads, you had to race near the front, and I was right because some good riders missed the splits. I have also lost a bit of weight recently and I rode pretty well on the climbs and was feeling very strong."

So strong, when the European based pros with the miles and racing in the legs that matthew didn't have, attacked, Stephens was there giving as good as he got. "In the end, the distance got to me. To be honest, with about five or 10 miles to go, I did blow and I was just soldiering on but I was probably feeling the best I've felt all year on the climbs."

"I'm really pleased. I normally pull out a good ride at the nationals (Matthew is a former champion) and that's quite a special result for me really considering the guys I was up against. Today will be the high light of the year for me."

As for what comes next for him, he says "Premiers really and I'd like to do really well in the Manx International."

So that was the British Cycling National Elite road race championships for another year. I don't think we could have had a grander setting that Celtic Manor or a tougher course and the result was that we had two very deserved grand champions in Nicole Cooke and Roger Hammond. But behind the scenes there was so much that went on to make the weekend special.

The organisational skills of Bill Owen and Phil Jones for the Mens and Womens events. And the people that helped them put it all together. The help we had from the Celtic Manor which personally, was very useful when it came to having a press room and all that goes with that. The cadets which lined the course long after they were supposed to go home and the marshals who gave their time to ensure the race passed off safely. The police as well and of course, the crowds who flocked to the Celtic Manor on Sunday to make that finish line a real picture. The press who were all (bar one) really friendly and helpful and provided many column inches to our sport in the local and national press. It was a super weekend and one I won't forget. My thanks to all for their help.

RESULTS

 1. Roger Hammond      Palmans-Collstrop-Mr Bookmaker  5.21.15
 2. Jeremy Hunt        MBK-Oktus                       @5.21              
 3. Jamie Alberts      CC Etupes                       @5.28 
 4. Jonathon Dayus     Team Ringerike-Sparebank        @5.37
 5. Matthew Stephens   Sigma Sport Pro Cycle Shop      @8.13
 6. David Clarke       TeamEndurasport.com             @9.31
 7. Paul Manning       VC St Raphael/Waite Contract    @9.49
 8. Mark Lovatt        Life Repair RT                  
 8. Tom Southam        Nantes 44
10. James Flanagan     Team Milton Keynes
10. Dave Coulson       JE James
10. Roy Chamberlain    Team Milton Keynes
10. Dean Downing       John Saey RT
10. Danny Axford       Parrot Print TAL
10. Matt Watch         AngliaSport
10. Jamie Norfolk      Giant Racing Team
10. Daniel Lloyd       Team Endurasport
10. Martin Forde       Arctic Short Rochford
10. Gary Hand          Peddle Power RT
10. John Veness        Evans Cycles RT
10. Alex Coutts        Team Endurasport
10. John Ibbotson      Team Endurasport