Norwegian Duo Take the Spoils in Solihull - Giffiths Takes Series

 

Solihull International Junior Road Race - Junior Road Race Series

Solihull, Sunday 10th September 2006

Report & Images: Dave O'Nyons

 

There is no doubt that this race was a unique climax to the season for our Junior riders. Not only had the final standings to be decided, between a number of truly excellent British riders, but they faced tough competition from a number of quality continental teams. This would only add that something extra, winning the title as well as proving their worth against foreign competitors. Needless to say, with the excellent organisation of Guy Elliott and his team, this race was the one to be at.

 

Prior to the start I had a chat with a few of the riders - the first was with Russell Hampton of Glendene CC B and current National Junior Road Race Champion. Russell told me that for today's race the team would do everything to enable Andy Griffiths to  maintain his current position in the standings, and that they would keep their eye on every little move, making sure no one could sneak a few extra points here and there. As regards his own future Russell said that he was looking forward to being with the GB Team's academy next year which will include riding abroad.

I also managed to get a few words from the Denmark team manager Fredrik Jakobsen, himself a high level track rider. I asked him what he thought was the continual attraction to continental teams to participate in this race? Fredrik told me that it was down to the great organisation and that it was an excellent showcase for the teams in question.

After checking that everything was safe to proceed, Guy got the race underway and the riders headed out on to the Bearley circuit. As expected the peloton stayed together for the first lap but then a five-man breakaway led by Russell Hampton of Glendene CC. This was then brought back and by lap 3, had formed into two main groups with Hampton back in the second group. By lap five, a two man break away had occurred with Sondre Sortveit of Norway and Luke Rowe, Glendene CC, at around 38 seconds from the main bunch.

Rowe along with Simon Holt, Merlin Development Squad, put in excellent performances and at the end of the day shared the award for most aggressive rider! By the penultimate lap, Rowe had dropped back and to everyone's surprise, including their manager Jan Fredrik Mohn, the Norwegian riders Sortveit and team-mate Anders Lund came through at a good speed. Their gap could not be bridged and these two riders came home with time to spare (see pic right).

As regards the Junior Series standings there was no change so congratulations are due to Andrew Griffiths of Glendene CC and of course to his team for doing exactly what they said they would do.

I had a quick word with Guy at the end of the race and he told me of the roll he has in a future circuit development in Solihull and what he hopes to do. If the road race is anything to go by, then cycling in the Midlands has a lot to look forward to!

 

Results

SOLIHULL CC International Junior RR, 10th September 2006        
1 Anders Lund Norway 88 02:42:59
2 Sondre Sortveit Norway @ 2
3 Fredrique Robert Belgium @ 01:25
4 Pim Ligthart The Netherlands @ same time
5 Russell Hampton Glendene CC ""B"" @ same time
6 Jef Beyens Belgium @ 01:29
7 Simon Holt Merlin Development Squad ""A"" @ 01:52
8 Andreas Ponten The Netherlands @ 01:59
9 Luke Rowe Glendene CC ""B"" @ same time
10 Ben Stockdale Evesham Wheelers @ same time
11 Edward Griffin Somer Valley CC @ same time
12 Jesper Morkov Denmark @ 02:02
13 Stephen Adams Sherwood CC @ 02:04
14 Matthew Greaves Bronte Wheelers @ same time
15 Kieran Frend CC Giro @ same time
16 Oliver Graham Wyre Forest CRT @ same time
17 Jonny Bellis Glendene CC ""A"" @ 02:18
18 Harry Penn Interbike RT @ same time
19 Jochen VanKerckhoven Belgium @ same time
20 Andrew Fenn Le Coq Sportif-Dolan SIS @ 02:22
21 Adam Blythe Pinarello RT @ 03:35
22 Mike Webb Cardiff Ajax CC @ same time
23 Mark McNally Le Coq Sportif-Dolan-SIS @ same time
24 Andrew Griffiths Glendene CC ""A"" @ same time
25 Rasmus Quaade Denmark @ same time
26 Steven Guymer Team Swift-Allsports @ same time
27 Jason Crombie Merlin Development Squad ""B"" @ same time
28 Matthew Rowe Glendene CC ""B"" @ same time
29 Steven Burke Le Coq Sportif-Dolan-SIS @ same time
30 Ken Vassdal Norway @ same time
31 Billy-Joe Whenman Marin Uk @ same time
32 Sam Freeman Plan B Racing RT @ same time
33 Gareth James Abergavenny RC @ same time
34 Gijs Vierling The Netherlands @ same time
35 Jack Kirk Wyre Forest CRT @ same time
36 Bart Sinnige The Netherlands @ same time
37 Fredrik Frisk Norway @ same time
38 Adam Bonser Le Coq Sportif-Dolan-SIS @ same time
39 Darren Tiffin Private Member @ same time
40 Ross Yates Scotland @ same time
41 Llewellyn Kinch Swindon RC @ same time
42 George Bate Bromsgrove Olympique @ same time
43 Peter Banham Wyre Forest CRC @ same time
44 Shaun Hurrel Glendene CC ""A"" @ same time
45 David Fletcher Sherwood Pines @ 03:39
46 Warren Flynn Obri Coaching RT @ same time
47 Dominic Jelfs Bromsgove Olympique CC @ 03:41
48 Alastair Carr Wolverhampton Wheelers @ same time
49 Dennis Jonsson Denmark @ 03:50
50 Ben Plain Glendene CC @ 03:52
51 Adam Tranter Merlin Development Squad ""B"" @ 03:59
52 Andrew Whitehall Scotland @ 04:01
53 Matthew Ullmer Evesham & Dist. Whlrs @ 04:03
54 Huw Herrity Private Member @ 04:05
55 Ben Carty Stratford CC @ 04:16
56 Ben Roach Felt Racing @ 04:26
57 Tom Finnemore www.cyclelogic.co.uk @ 04:38
58 Matthew Jones Merlin Development Squad ""A"" @ 04:39
59 Douglas Dewey Team Tor 2000 @ 08:28