2007 Tour of the Reservoir
1 April 2007 - Edmondbyers, Co. Durham
A British Cycling Premier Calendar Event
Report and images: Andrew Kennedy for British Cycling
(Cycling.tv coverage on British Eurosport 8 April)
Tour of the Reservoir podium: Left to right Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles), Dean Downing (Rapha Condor RT) and Gordon McCauley (PlowmanCraven-Evans)
Dean Downing (Rapha Condor RT) just got the better of Gordon McCauley (PlowmanCraven-Evans) and Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) in the sprint to win the Tour of the Reservoir, the second round of the 2007 Premier Calendar Series. Although held in brilliant sunshine, it was a gruelling race with strong winds and a tough course combining to test the best. A promising break by Tony Gibb was pulled back in the latter stages of the race and in the end Downing, McCauley and Sharman were the three strongest riders in the race - Sharman overcoming two bike changes in the process.
Post-Race Reaction:
Andrew Kennedy spoke to Dean Downing after the race. Dean was delighted with his win but it hadn't been easy:
"It was a very hard race, a grind all day. The course got harder and it was extremely windy. For me the rider of the day was Robin Shaman. He had two bike changes and still got up there to take 3rd a great ride." Asked if he felt confident going into the sprint, Dean said "No, I attacked on the hill but Gordy got me back coming into finish, so I waited for the sprint. I know G is fast in the sprint - he's won pro kermesses in Belgium - but he sat too close on Robin's wheel and got a good jump on him. I'm very happy with today.
Andrew also had a quick chat with Gordon McCauley: "Early on I was trying to box clever and save my effort. I used my three team mates to do the driving and try to eliminate a few riders. Coming in to the finish Dean caught me out on the last Prime hill and it took me 5km to get him back. Robin Sharman was pretty tired, he'd had a bike change. Dean rode hard in the sprint but was letting R go so I had to chase Robin, then Dean got the jump on me and got the win." Asked about his team's strategy for the Premier Calendar, he said "There's no prize for the overall in the Premier Calendar, so we will be concentrating on individual victories. Our target is to win races."
Detailed Report
Tyne Valley Cycling Club and Northumbrian Water again joined forces this weekend to promote the 144 km Premier Calendar Tour of the Reservoir. A field of 103 riders lined up for the start outside Edmundbyers Village Hall for seven laps of this windswept and hilly course overlooking Derwent Reservoir.
Start of the race, and the sun begins to shine.
With 2006 winner Ben Greenwood (Recycling) now based in Italy, and last year's dominant Premier Calendar team Recycling.co.uk restructured with young development riders, the Tour of the Reservoir was wide open.
In the absence of Premier Calendar series leader Chris Newton (Recycling) currently on GB World Track Championship duty, the pre race favourite for many people was Rapha Condor rider Dean Downing, who two weeks ago had won a stage of the Bikeline Two day, and had some strong support promised by team mate Giancarlo Checchi. Plowman Craven had lined up a good team, and were looking to see Gordon McCauley taking the win and increasing his points in the series. Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) started the day as the 2nd placed rider in the 12 race series, and a good ride from him today would possibly give him the overall lead in the Premier Calendar.
The weather had promised to be dry and bright, and the morning started with overcast cloud and a temperature refusing to budge from 7c. The race convoy under the watchful eye of UCI commissaire Colin Clews, and protected by British Cycling's National Escort Group slowly rode through the neutralised section over the Derwent Reservoir dam wall to begin the race.
PlowmanCraven-Evans rider Gordon McCauley was the first rider to make an impact on proceedings and attacked almost immediately.
Mid season 2006 team PlowmanCraven-Evans had a question mark over their commitment to the Premier Calendar road series. One year on and Gordon McCauley was showing total commitment to the race. Today he was in every move, and had some fantastic team support.
A group of about 20 riders joined McCauley, this group got to work and quickly established a gap of about 20 seconds on the main field. This was a strong looking break and included Ian Wilkinson (SIS Trek), Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles), Peter Williams (Kinesis UK), Dean Downing (Rapha Condor RT) plus three young Recycling riders. Plowman Craven were well represented in this break with four riders.
Before the start today in Edmondbyers Recycling team manager John Herety had said his team of young riders were out for experience, and he didn't expect them to show much. At the start of lap two a trio of Recycling youths were driving the break along the south side of Derwent Reservoir, with gaps opening up behind them as more experienced riders struggled to hold the wheels. Ryan and Adam Bonser together with Tom Diggle lead the break.
Back with the main field the reaction has begun and Graeme Hatcher (Team Isle of Man) leads the chase.
Further down the line in the main field Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello RT) follows the wheel of Tom Murray (Kinesis UK)
Merlin Racing Team has recruited some new talent for this season, and 19 year old Yorkshire rider Liam Holohan is now on the books, together with seasoned campaigner Tom Barras. Liam had a good race at the Tour of the Reservoir and eventually finished 15th, 2.16 behind the winners.
Back with the leading break Alex Dowsett (100%ME) is leading the group together with Ian Bibby(SIS Trek). Dowsett had no team mates in the race and was riding without support. He was an extremely hard working rider throughout the day, never failing to drive the break and do more than his fair share of work.
South side of Derwent Reservoir on lap three. Adam Bonser (Recycling) leads Jason McIntyre (Velo Ecosse) the gap back to the main field was increasing.
Just after the feed zone on lap three 17 riders have established a lead of 1.56 back to the main field. With Alex Dowsett driving the break the time gap was soon over two minutes.The break included, Ian Wilkinson, Tony Gibb, Peter Williams, Giancarlo Checchi, Tom Smith, Robin Sharman, Dean Downing .
Lap four and the gap from the main field to the leaders has dropped to 1.30. Dean Downing moves to the front to inject some pace, and try to reduce the size of the break.
Recycling team manager John Herety was concerned his young riders were contributing too much to the break, and would have preferred them to save some gas for the latter part of the race.
Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) pleading with his team car for help with his bike. Sharman had problems with two bikes and eventually had to borrow a bike from a retired rider standing at the side of the course. His team mechanic had to adjust the saddle height on the move as the seat post was about 3" too high. Sharman proved his strength in getting back up to the leaders three times.
Powerhouse Tony Gibb (PlowmanCraven-Evans) attacks the leading group on the main prime climb. He quickly established a lead of 25 seconds.
Over the top of the climb and Gibb puts down the power to increase his lead.
Alec Dowsett continues to drive the break on lap four, still chasing Tony Gibb, who maintained his lead of 30 seconds. Watched closely by Simon Gaywood (PlowmanCraven-Evans) Dowsett was the dominant rider in the break, and maybe at this stage he was contributing too much.
Tony Gibb leads on the south side of Derwent Reservoir. The group of Sharman, Downing, Dowsett, McCauley and others were 20 seconds behind, and closing.
The main field had still not given up hope of catching the breakaways, and the gap to the leaders was closing as the riders used the whole of the road to keep the pace high.
Dean Downing shows the effort on his face as he lifts the pace at the front of the leading group, Tony Gibb was now only a few seconds ahead, and Downing was putting in huge efforts to chase the PlowmanCraven-Evans rider down.
Sharman drives the lead group with only Tony Gibb ahead. Peter Williams (Kinesis UK) was contributing to the effort with Jason McIntyre(Velo Ecosse) seen at the back of this group keeping his powder dry for the last lap.
The final selection. On the last lap Gordon McCauley, Robin Sharman and Dean Downing (obscured) have caught and dropped Tony Gibb. This select group of three have moved ahead of the leaders, and would stay together to the end. During the last 3 miles they were joined by Jason McIntyre (Velo Ecosse) but Jason had used all his energy in catching the leaders, and looked completely spent as he sat on the back of the leaders.
The crowd on the Dam wall were treated to expert commentary from Carl Lawrenson as the leaders approached the finish. Gordon McCauley appeared to have the edge on Downing as they came into view. With a sudden jump on the right from Downing McCauley was fading towards the line. It was close but Downing had the confidence and time to take the victory salute and applause from the crowd. A well deserved win for the popular Rapha Condor rider.
Dean Downing celebrates his victory in the Tour of the Reservoir.
This event was again a superb effort by organiser Mike Hodgson and his team from Tyne Valley CC. The support from Northumbrian Water was outstanding, and the riders and supporters were treated to a 1st class race in beautiful countryside. Well done Mike.
Report and images Andrew Kennedy for British Cycling - Special thanks to NEG motorbike pilot John Greatorex for giving me a safe passage around the course.
Results
1 Dean Downing Rapha Condor RT 3h 40.46s
2 Gordon McCauley PlowmanCraven Evans Cycles RT @ same time
3 Robin Sharman KFS Special Vehicles/Sunday Bicycles @ same time
4 Jason McIntyre Velo Ecosse @6 secs
5 Andy Roche Pinarello RT @1:32
6 Dan Staite Maximuscle @1:46
7 Malcolm Elliott Pinarello RT @ same time
8 John Tanner Sportscover - Planet X @ same time
9 Richard Wilkinson Rapha Condor RT @ same time
10 Simon Gaywood PlowmanCraven Evans Cycles RT @ same time
11 Richard Cartland Team Corley Cycles @1:48
12 Mark Lovatt Sportscover - Planet X Pinarello RT @2:10
13 Ray Wilson Dunfermline CC @2:12
14 Matthew Kipling Inkland/MTS Cycle-Sport @2:16
15 Liam Holohan Merlin Racing Team @ same time
16 Giancarlo Checchi Rapha Condor RT @2:20
17 Tom Barras Merlin Racing Team @2:24
18 Wayne Randle Sportscover - Planet x @ same time
19 James Millard PlowmanCraven Evans Cycles RT @ same time
20 Lee Davis Pinarello RT @ same time
21 Neil Swithenbank ABC Centreville @ same time
22 Matthew Higgins Team Corley Cycles @ same time
23 Ian Wilkinson Scienceinsport-Trek @ same time
24 Mark Wordsworth JE James RT @ same time
25 Chris Bartlett Glendene CC @ same time
26 Stephen Feeney Chester Road Club @ same time
27 Matt Talbot Rapha Condor RT @3:00
28 Pete Williams Kinesis UK @3:23
29 Dafydd Dylan KFS Special Vehicles/Sunday Bicycles @3:27
30 Gary Hand KFS Special Vehicles/Sunday Bicycles @ same time
31 Adam Bonsar Recycling.co.uk @3:33
32 Ben Price Rapha Condor RT @ same time
33 Steven Ward VC Azzurri @ same time
34 Bryan Pool Andersons Racing @ same time
35 Karl Freeman Alpha RC-Team Corley Cycles @ same time
36 Martin Freeman Alpha RC-Team Corley Cycles @ same time
37 Tom Murray Kinesis UK @ same time
38 Simon Holt Recycling.co.uk @ same time
39 Paul Rennie Edge Racing @ same time
40 Ashley Brown Sportscover - Planet X @ same time
41 Wayne Webster Gosportspex.co.uk @ same time
42 Mike Harrison Sigmasport @ same time
43 James Sampson Kinesis UK @ same time
44 Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing @ same time
45 Ian Legg Red Kite/Torq Par @ same time
46 Ben Pochee Maximuscle @ same time
47 Matthew Cronshaw Scienceinsport-Trek @ same time
48 Steven Kenny VC Azzurri @ same time
49 Alec Leslie Ajchva Limoux @ same time
50 Paul Coats Squadra via Mazzini Road Tool @ same time