Downing Holds off Partridge to Win the 39th Girvan 

 

March 24, 2008

Source: Event website: http://www.girvanrace.info/index.htm

Race Report by Carl J Lawrenson

 

Stage 4: Girvan - Girvan, 72 miles

Kristian House wins the final stage. Photo Jane Knox.

 

Whilst Girvan managed to avoid the worst of the Easter weather, an early morning inspection of the intended route for Stage 4 revealed that the high level roads of the Nick o’ Balloch climb and Tairlaw summit were affected by snow and ice cover and could not safely be used. Fortunately the organisers already had a plan for such eventualities and a revised route – offering a similar stage distance and number of primes – was efficiently put into place.

 

The leg-sapping assent of Hadyard Hill remained as the only 1st category climb and once again would prove to be a decisive point in the outcome of the race. An early attack by Mark Lovatt (Planet X), Gordon Murdoch (Pedalpower.org.uk) and Richard Cartland (Team Corley Cycles) went away with just six miles covered, and by the first hot spot sprint of the day at Crosshill had gained an advantage of 49 seconds over the peloton. As Lovatt took the prime, Cartland was dropped and would retire from the race by the 27 mile mark.

 

The modified route saw the first Carrick Gazette King of the Mountains prime contested within sight of the magnificently restored Cloncaird Castle, with Murdoch collecting maximum points. His team mate Gary Hand, wearing the Polka Dot jersey, added to his lead with a fourth place on the climb but ultimately he was unable to defend his position and the final winner of the classification – and best Under 23 rider – was Ian Bibby of the ScienceinSport-Trek squad.

Race leader Russell Downing fighting hard on the road as his brother Dean fights even harder to hold his wheel. Photo Jane Knox.

 

The leading riders advantage yo-yoed between 20 and 40 seconds as the very active peloton saw the teams with riders in contention for GC working hard to limit any loss. As the race turned left to start the climb of Hadyard Hill the break came to an end as the main field swept them up, and almost as quickly split into two groups with the yellow jersey of Downing leading the charge. The final selection had now been made and the twenty three man leading group contained virtually all the riders who were in with a chance of securing the overall victory.

 

The final classified climb of ‘The Screws’ saw the lead consolidated as the remains of the peloton rapidly lost ground. As the race sped back into Girvan to contest the Victory Park Hot Spot Sprint,  4 riders attacked the lead group. Kristian House (a former Girvan winner) was there for Rapha Condor-Recycling, as was Liam Holohan (Pearl Izumi), Andrew Bye (Sigmasport) and Tom Southam (Halfords Bikehut). Cresting Byne Hill on the outskirts of the town more riders bridged across to the leaders, however yellow jersey Russell Downing was not one of them.

 

Kristian House was the best placed rider in the breakaway - starting the day 1:06 behind Downing. With the prospect of time bonuses for the first three over the finish line, there was a very real possibility that Downing could lose the race in the final miles if the House group could gain sufficient time.

 

At the finish line House took the stage and the 15 second bonus, clearly happy with his first big win since his return to UK racing. However with the yellow jersey group coming home only 37 seconds down it was enough to ensure that Downing would win the race that he had led since the first day.

 

With two stage wins along the way it was an emphatic victory for the Pinarello RT rider and he was clearly delighted with his performance and that of his team when interviewed on the podium. There was some consolation for the other big teams as Rapha Condor-Recycling took the team award along with second on GC for Rob Partridge and fourth for House. Plowman Craven secured third overall thanks to Simon Richardson whilst there was further success for Pinarello as Peter Williams retained the Endura-Tal Hot Spot Sprints jersey.

Top three overall, Simon Richardson (3rd), Russell Downing (1st) and Rob Partridge (2nd). Photo Jane Knox.

Top three on the final stage on the podium. Photo Jane Knox.

Russell Downing in yellow finishes exhausted after a hard day defending his race lead. Photo Jane Knox.

 

Left Ian Bibby (king of the mountains) and right Pete Williams (Hotspots winner). Photos Jane Knox.

Roy Chamberlain leads Simon Gaywood and the king of the mountains during the stage. Photo Jane Knox.

Russell Downing gets his aching legs oiled up prior to the final stage. Photo Jane Knox.

Roy Chamberlain still showing he has the legs to compete with the best in Britain. Photo Jane Knox.

Team winners, Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk. Photo Jane Knox.

 

Stage 4 - Sponsored by ScottishPower renewables
1. Kristian House  Rapha Condor Recycling  3h 07m 44s 
2. Liam Holohan Pearl Izumi RT  st
3. Roy Chamberlain  Team Corley Cycles  @ 03s 

 

Final Overall Placings
1. Russ Downing Pinarello RT E 10:10:11
2. Rob Partridge Rapha Condor E at 0:04
3. Simon Richardson Plowman Craven E at 0:11
4. Kristian House Rapha Condor E at 0:14
5. Dean Downing Rapha Condor E at 0:18
6. Evan Oliphant Plowman Craven 1 at 0:23
7. Mathew Higgins Corley Cycles E at 0:26
8. Ian Wilkinson ScienceinSport E at 0:28
9. Ian Bibby ScienceinSport Esp 1 at 0:40
10. Roy Chamberlain Corley Cycles E at 0:52
11. Tom Last Team Kinesis UK Esp 1 at 0:57
12. Will Bjergfelt SW Composite RT E at 1:16
13. Jon Tiernan-Locke SW Composite RT 1 at 2:50
14. Matt Cronshaw Team Kinesis UK Esp E at 4:29
15. Graham Briggs Rapha Condor E at 4:57
16. Simon Gaywood Plowman Craven E at 5:07
17. Dave Collins ScienceinSport 1 at 5:22
18. Malcolm Elliott Pinarello RT E at 5:38
19. Tom Southam Team Anglo Scot E at 8:46
20. James Sampson Team Kinesis UK Esp 1 at 9:03

 

Carrick Gazette King of the Mountains - Winner:
1. Ian Bibby  ScienceinSport - Trek  28

 

Endura Hot Spot Sprints - Winner:
1. Peter Williams  Pinarello RT 20

 

Team Competition - Final Overall Winners:
1. Rapha Condor Recycling  30h 30m 59s
2. Team Kinesis UK  @ 1m 36s 
3. Plowman Craven RT @ 5m 21s 

 

Highest Placed 2nd Category Rider Overall:  
Scott Macrae - Pedalpower.org.uk - Endura  

 

Highest Placed Under 23 Rider Overall: 
Ian Bibby - ScienceinSport - Trek