Colne GP Images
Support Race Images
Oliphant Squeezes to Colne GP Win
Colne Grand Prix | July 19 2006
Report & Images Andrew Kennedy
The Elite Circuit Race series travelled north to sunny Lancashire for the 7th counting race in this series of 12. Cycling Development North West in partnership with Pendle Borough Council promoted the Colne Grand Prix with two exciting races around the tight town centre circuit. As the large crowd at Colne was gathering to watch the main event, slick organisation from Ivor Armstrong and his team had the elite riders lining up within minutes of the supporting event. Commentator Willi Moore presented the Elite Series top placed riders to the crowd, and the race was on.
National Circuit Champion James Taylor (Plowman Craven) presented to the crowd with Tony Gibb and Kristian House.
Warwick Spence (London Dynamo) currently the series leader after his win at Guildford rode at the front of the bunch as they raced around the tight streets of Colne. The summer sunshine had brought out a big crowd, spectators were five deep at some points around the circuit, and the pubs were doing a roaring trade.
Early attacks had been easily and quickly brought back, and when Tony Gibb (Plowman Craven) started a break with Ian Wilkinson (SIS), Kristian House (Recycling) and Evan Oliphant (Recycling) it looked as though they would soon be back in the bunch. Within two laps the four man break had opened up a gap of over 20 seconds. Surprisingly the bunch sat up, nobody willing to lead the chase. 
The pace was high on the tight town centre circuit
As the breakaways raced down the finish straight Kristian House was looking across the circuit, he could see the gap was getting bigger, and the small gang of four continued to pile on the pressure. The reaction from the bunch was too late, and within the next four laps House, Wilkinson, Oliphant and Gibb were safely back in the bunch, having lapped the whole field.
Kristian House (Recycling) looks across the circuit to check the gap
The Recycling team had two riders in the gang of four, and over the next 30 minutes they tried to control the race by keeping the pace fast, and preventing breakaways.
With five laps to go the commissaires rang the bell for the main field with the four leaders ordered to ease off for the bunch sprint, which was won by Chris Newton (Recycling) from Malcolm Elliott (Plowman Craven).
The race was now back on for the leaders, and with a clear circuit. Kristian House could be heard shouting instructions to team mate Evan Oliphant as they passed through the finish straight. The four men were watching each other as the bell rang for the last lap, as they disappeared for the final circuit Kristian House attacked, and was quickly followed by Gibb and Wilkinson. Track sprinter Oliphant was in a perfect position at the back.
When the riders appeared approaching the line, Wilkinson, Oliphant and Gibb were all together, House just off the back. They crossed the line together with no time for anyone to claim victory, it was down to the judges and photofinish to separate them. The win going to Oliphant with Gibb second and Wilkinson third.
Above and below, two angles on that tight finish, confirming the win for Evan Oliphant (centre) from Tony Gibb in the blue and Ian Wilkinson in the black, white and red SiS kit.
Earlier in the evening, super sprinter Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT) warmed up the crowd in the supporting event with an exciting finish on the slightly downhill run in. Pidcock and his big team of Aire Valley riders dominated the race with aggressive riding, and the ability to chase down all the attacks. Merlin Development rider Scott Thwaites took second place, with the handicap of junior gear restrictions he had no chance of passing Pidcock at the finish.
Winner of the supporting event Giles Pidcock (Aire Valley RT) benefited from good team work
Results
Colne Grand Prix
1. Evan Oliphant Recycling.co.uk 59.35
2. Tony Gibb Plowman Craven St
3. Ian Wilkinson SIS St
4. Kristian House Recycling.co.uk @2secs
5. Chris Newton Recycling.co.uk @1.00 min
6. Malcolm Elliott Plowman Craven All St
7. James Taylor Plowman Craven
8. Warrick Spence London Dynamo
9. Simon Gaywood CC Luton
10. Robin Sharmen Recycling.co.uk
11. Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing
12. Robert Partridge Recycling.co.uk
13. Tom Smith AWCycles/Giant
14. Jon Mozley Merlin Development Squad
15. Peter Williams Kinesis UK
16. Craig Butland Plowman Craven
17. Ben Greenwood Recycling.co.uk
18. Shaun Snodden Recycling.co.uk
19. Dale Appleby Recycling.co.uk
20. Tom Smith Plowman Craven
21. Daniel Fox Fox's Cycles RT
22. Fred Johannsen Plowman Craven
23. Alistair Rutherford Wills Wheels CC
24. James Moss MTS Cyclesport
Colne Grand Prix - Senior Supporting Event
1. Giles Pidcock Aire Valley RT 34.24
2. Scott Thwaites Merlin Development Squad St
3. Alexander King Twickenham CC St
4. Jonathan Farnaby5. Nathan Harrison Lancashire RC St
6. Ben Plain Hargroves Cycles St
7. Carl Pawson Nelson Wheelers St
8. Dave Haygarth Wheelbase/Ron Hill St
9. Barry Mordue Cross Trax St
10. Not able to ID rider @3secs
11. Matthew Greaves Bronte Wheelers St
12. Kevin Shand West Pennine RC St
13. Tom Buck I-T Team St
14. Adam Mitchell Preston St
15. Jason Nowell Aire Valley RT St
16. Neal Hanson Ribble Valley St
17. Simon Thompson Aire Valley RT St
18. Matthew Richison Fox's Cycles RT St
19. Sam Redding I-T Team @7secs
20. Adam Blakeley Fox's Cycles RT st