Ras de Cymru 2008 -- Stage 5

 

Story and pictures by Dave O'Nyons

 

An early start led me Storey Arm's in the Brecon Beacon's for today's 68.5 mile stage. This is the scenery that Wales is proud of and the proof of this was the countless numbers of walkers turning up with the riders at the Outdoor Education Centre suitably dressed for the inclement weather to come. The race left on time trailing down a long decent between the peaks of Pen Y Fan and Fan Fawr toward four circuits of the Brecon/Defynnog route.

After getting a couple of shots of the peloton coming down the valley I drove toward the A40 west of Penpont to see the race,a road I decided not to backtrack due to a farm dog thinking it was a good idea to attack my vehicle wheels for a good 2-300 yards! Now I know how a cyclist must feel in these situations.

I eventually caught up with the race in Defynnog where a 4 man breakaway had formed around a 2m30sec lead on the main pack. I carried on to the top of the climb to view the rest of the race in between some heavy downpours of rain. On the second ascent of the climb Lee Tunnicliffe, Carl Dyson and David Povall had formed around 2m40s lead on the chasers.

 

The sun came out and brought along with it Emma Pooley of Team GB with the peloton giving chase with Nicole Cooke tucked in front of the main pack with Jessica Allen,Team GB,just behind her. Then another downpour on the third ascent which once again was lead by No's 63, 75, 37. This time the peloton had splintered into three main groups with Pooley still chasing the leaders at around 1m 40s down and Cooke and Allen still driving forward.

 

On the final lap the race changed and this was brought about by the winner from last years stage on this circuit No.77 Tim Wallis of Red Kite Cycles. Wallis and Tunnicliffe got away on the final climb with Wallis breaking away to take the stage win. A well judged win by Wallis down to his experience of last years stage and an excellent ride by Tunnicliffe who was away all day.

 

Wallis looked shattered but was happy and Tunnicliffe joked with officials that he was now, "going out for a ride for the day"! Well done to both. As for the ladies, Nicole came in ahead of Jessica pushing all the way. Emma Pooley arrived head down revealing that her spirited attacks had taken there toll. Tim Carter (third category rider) was in 8th at 2h 49m 22s and with his excellent overall performance, places him in the yellow jersey for the last stage.

 

Results
1. Tim Wallis Red Kite Cycles
2. Lee Tunnicliffe DHCycle Sport
3. Jack Adams Loughborough Students
4. Anthony Allan Macclesfield Wheelers/London Dynamo
5. Jamie Treliving Team Certini/Felt Racing
6. Carl Dyson www.cyclingbargains.com RT
7. Karl Hine Team Certini/Felt Racing
8. Tim Carter Team GB
9. Neil Biggs Velo Club Montpellier
10. David Povall Cwmcarn Paragon RC
11. Nicole Cooke Halfords Bikehut
12. John Fitzpatrick Cardiff JIF
13. Matt Blythe Newport Shropshire CC/ Geoff Thomas Foundation
14. Nino Piccoli API Metrow/Silverhook
15. Damian Sharp PSUK GB Cycling
16. Will Fox Loughborough Students
17. James Ward Cambridge CC
18. Andy Hudson Cambridge CC
19. Michael Cowland www.cyclingbargains.com RT
20. Stephen Barrett Newport Shropshire CC/ Geoff Thomas Foundation

 

28.  Jessica Allen Team GB 2h51m52s
45.  Emma Pooley Team GB 2h55m06s
48.  Joanna Rowsell Halfords/Bikehut 3h04m45s
52.  Emma Trott Halfords/Bikehut 3h03m53s