52nd Lincoln Grand Prix Set for Classic Race
Story posted May 3, 2007
A Velo Club Lincoln Cycling Club Promotion
A round of the British Cycling Premier Calendar
Sunday, May 13th, 2007 | Website: www.lincolngrandprix.org.uk
2006 and a favourite for 2007, Malcolm Elliott, leads another rider capable of getting on the podium in this years race, Robin Sharman.
It is another of the races that most British based riders want to be part of and the fact there are more than 170 riders on the start sheet is proof there is a great attraction to riding this long running race in the heart of Lincoln. Why it’s a surprise is because the race covers 11 laps (was 13 until recently!) of the famous circuit that winds its way through historic Lincoln in the shadow of their great castle which is well worth a visit.
The near eight mile course includes the steep (1 in 6) cobbled climb of Michaelgate each lap and there have been a few years recently when those cobbles have been wet, very wet, just to make it that little bit harder for the riders!
For sure, this is no easy race and the rider’s suffering is also sure to be witnessed by the large crowds that assemble in the centre of Lincoln on Michaelgate where there is no place for the riders to hide and technique, power and a huge dose of form are needed if anyone is to get to the end with a chance of a good result.
Only the best need apply to win the Lincoln
The winners list below demonstrates the quality of the riders that win this race and for the race this year, a look through the start sheet shows there are so many potential winners its not going to be easy to pick the rider who will climb Michaelgate for the last time in front of his rivals.
Last years winner, Kristian House and runner up Paul Healion are not on the list but the third placed rider, Matt Talbot, is and after his second place in the Archer and a sterling ride in the Rutland where he punctured when with the break, he has elevated himself into the favourites category having shown last year he can do this race and do it well as well. Not only that, the New Zealander, one of many in the race, seems to have stepped up a level this year in his new Rapha Condor team.
Embedded in the long list of riders are many many favourites and just to make it interesting, there are a few foreign teams coming where the riders will be unknowns to the locals but that hasn’t meant a lot in the past with British riders dominating the winners list. The Rutland race though last weekend saw the foreign riders change the way the race was ridden and for the better said one of the top riders, Robin Sharman.
Foreign teams in the Lincoln include the Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam, Murphy & Gun Newlyn, FRF Couriers NSWIS and MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways, teams who will no doubt be looking to shut out the British challenge but anyone coming to the race had not better under estimate the opposition the British based riders will surely be.
One of the past winners riding is Russell Downing, the Rotherham rider who won the 50th Anniversary Grand Prix in 2005. Russell is currently with the US based Health Net team but is back in the UK for a while. Russell says the Lincoln is the event he would always like to come back for and it appears he’s true to his word.
Three riders who have already shown this year they have the legs to do well in a race of this length and type, Roy Chamberlain (Corley Cycles), Russell Downing (Healthnet) and Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk).
Local boy
One of those standing on the podium may well be local boy Richard Wilkinson who works for the towns biggest employer, Siemens. He’s been doing the race since he started racing a bike four years ago and this year is the best form he’s had.
Talking about the Lincoln race before the Rutland Premier Calendar event last weekend where he was in the break for much of the race, he told us he does a lot of work on his climbing in the Wolds around Lincoln and since the arrival of Dean Downing in the Rapha Condor team, he and the other riders have stepped up a level to give the team many options just as they did in the Archer GP recently.
The race he says is very well known in the community and one of the towns biggest sporting events. And is he, being a rider weighing over 80 kilos, daunted by the cobbled climb of Michaelgate. In a word – no. “It’s a power climb and the sort that suits me” he explained.
Richard rode a storming race in the Archer Grand Prix recently and no one knows the Lincoln city course better than the local rider who also told us since the race was shortened from 13 to 11 laps, it has made the race much better with most of the riders being full time workers rather than full time bike riders. Richard is also part of a very strong team. Giancarlo Checchi, Dean Downing (another near local) and Matt Talbot are but three in Rapha Condor capable of going all the way although there is a possible injury problem for Checchi who had knee problems at the Archer.
Rapha Condor have two riders who know what it is like to get on the podium at Lincoln in Dean Downing and Matt Talbot plus another rider who is a local and is really up for this race in his best season ever on the road, Richard Wilkinson.
Strong Teams
A feature of this years Premier Calendar is the number of strong teams and one of the strongest is the Plowman Craven/Evans Cycles RT. They, thanks to Simon Gaywood, won the Archer Grand Prix and are continuing to win at will in non Premier Calendar road races like the one in Reading a few eeks ago. They also have a rider in Gordon McCauley who has plenty of experience on the cobbles from his racing days in Belgium and if there was anyone in the team, it would be him that would dearly love to add this classic to his palmeres.
Right: Premier calendar leader going into the Lincoln Grand Prix, Ian Wilkinson (SiS/Trek)
There are though some previous winners who may have a thing to say about that and one who looked in awesome form in the Archer was Chris Newton. The Great Britain Cycling Team rider who races for the strong Recycling.co.uk outfit has just returned from Majorca and a stage race there and the young riders around him are getting better with each race they do under the directorship of John Herety. The Bonser brothers Adam and Ryan are finding their form in Elite level British racing as is Tom Diggle and Graham Briggs. With a few weeks to get over the tough Majorcan stage race, they should be bang on form for the Lincoln.
Other previous winners include John Tanner and Mark Lovatt who again, seem to be getting stronger as each Premier Calendar race passes. They certainly looked in good shape in the Rutland race last weekend.
Peter Pan of Cycling
A term used by a well known commentator, Hugh Porter, Malcolm Elliott (right) is certainly ageless and at 45 was just superb in winning the last Premier Calendar at Rutland. He was, said a few of the riders in the break, the strongest rider in the race which is bad news for his rivals in the Lincoln! Elliott is one of two former winners in the Pinarello team with the other being Kevin Dawson and the Pinarello team after a slow start, are looking stronger than ever, and won the Team award at the Rutland race.
Look back at the previous results and not only is Elliott a former winner, he has also been on the podium a number of times in recent years, showing that this race suits his strengths but there are others.
Another former winner in John Charlesworth was looking very strong in the Rutland race as was Roy Chamberlain of Team Corley Cycles who made, in his words, the ‘suicide’ break of the day at Rutland.
Despite being a veteran like Elliott, Chamberlain is in the form of his life and can climb a bit which is handy as the roads in the Lincoln do go up a bit. Another to look out for is Matthew Stephens. He was at the front of the race in Rutland all day and faded a little at the end but no doubt that race and hours in the saddle will have lifted his form that little bit and the popular Sigma Sport rider is sure to be in the action all day.
Jonathan Dayus has shown with his many victories in France has the ability to go the distance in tough races like this as has Robin Sharman, who was second at Lincoln in 2004 and just outside the podium in 2005. And there is the winner of the Girvan, Ian Wilkinson, who has stepped up a level in Premier calendar events this year and now leads the competition after his second in the Rutland race, just behind Elliott. Wilkinson will be doing a big Mountain Bike race the day before but must not be discounted as he was super strong in the Premier calendar event last weekend.
Great Support
Lincoln City Council continues with its support for its major international sporting event in the City with Lincolnshire County Council also supporting with finance and road closure arrangements.
The race is pleased to welcome major support this year from Jackson Building Centres as its main commercial supporter with Rick Hall Construction on board as a new sponsor. Another new name is the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership who will also be hosting their fellow VIPs at The Magna Carta pub on the finish line.
The supporter line up is completed with ongoing support from PKF Accountants, The Lindum Group, NatWest Bank, Chattertons Solicitors, Impsport, Lincolnshire Co-Operative, James Oliver Conservatories, Marshall Land Rover, Holland Brothers Jaguar and British Cycling.
Spectator Friendly
One final note and that is of all the races, this is one of the most crowd friendly. Most races are based out in the countryside somewhere and so are not that spectator friendly. The Lincoln though is based firmly in the centre of the historic part of the city and as well as pubs there are cafes and more at hand to keep you occupied while you wait 15 minutes or so for the riders to come around each time. Why not make it a weekend and enjoy Lincoln on the Saturday and then the race on Sunday!
Date: Sunday, May 13th, 2007;
Where: Lincoln (a past look at Lincoln The City >>>>)
Start: Yarborough Sports Centre; 11.30, Finish: 3.00pm approx
Distance: 86 miles
Photos & Reports From Past Races
| 2002 Photos | 2003 Photos | 2004 Photos | 2005 Photos | 2006
Premier Calendar (after the Rutland event)
1. Ian Wilkinson, Science in Sport-Trek, 404
2. Chris Newton, Recycling.co.uk, 389
3. Malcolm Elliott, Pinarello RT, 341
4. Robin Sharman, KFS Special Vehicles, 337
5. Dean Downing, Rapha/Condor, 304
6. Gordon McCauley, Plowman Craven/Evans Cycles, 289
7. Andrew Roche, Pinarello RT, 204
8. Graham Briggs, Recycling.co.uk, 152
9. Richard Wilkinson, Rapha/Condor, 150
10. Simon Gaywood, Plowman Craven/Evans Cycles, 132
11. Alex Dowsett ***, 100% ME 121 (First Under 23)
Lincoln Grand Prix Competitors (key riders to look for in bold)
1. Ruud van Wel, Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam
2. Bart Sinnige, Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam
3. Hugo Sijm, Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam
4. Raymond Rol, Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam
5. Lex Nederlof, Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam
6. Germ van de Burg, Ruiter Dakkapellen Wielerteam
7. Sean Lacy, Murphy & Gun Newlyn
8. Derek Burke, Murphy & Gun Newlyn
9. Isaac Speirs, Murphy & Gun Newlyn
10. Padraig Marrey, Murphy & Gun Newlyn
11. Eddie O’Doughue, Murphy & Gun Newlyn
12. Peter McDonald, FRF Couriers NSWIS (New South Wales Institute of Sport)
13. Peter Herzig, FRF Couriers NSWIS
14. Jason Hegert, FRF Couriers NSWIS
15. Brendan Brooks, FRF Couriers NSWIS
16. Chris Jory, FRF Couriers NSWIS
17. Brian Keneally, MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways
18. Aidan Crowley, MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways
19. Stephen O’Sullivan, MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways
20. Eugene Moriarity, MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways
21. Adrian Hedderman, MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways
22. Scott McDonald, MyHome.ie/BDBC/Cycleways
23. Alex Dowsett, 100% ME, Cock Clarks
24. Neil Swithenbank, ABC Centreville,
25. Daniel Alexander, Ace Racing Team,
26. Jim Bryan, Ace Racing Team,
27. Joel Stewart, agiskoviner.com
28. Roy Chamberlain, Alpha Road Club
29. Jonathan Dayus, Arctic Shorter Rochford RT
30. Simon Wilson, Arctic Shorter Rochford RT
31. Allister Tulett, Arctic Shorter Rochford RT
32. Matthew Holmes, Arctic Shorter Rochford RT
33. David Law, Arctic Shorter Rochford RT
34. Neil Beasley, Ashfield Road Club
35. Scot Gamble, Ashfield Road Club
36. Andrew Stuart, Ashfield Road Club
37. Henry Furniss, Bike and Run London
38. Alex Higham, Bike and Run London
39. Dan Staite, Bike and Run London
40. Steve Lampier, Bike and Run London
41. Ben Pochee, Bike and Run London
42. Ben Hallam, Bike and Run London
43. Robin Basford, Bike and Run London
44. Sam Clark, Buxton Cycling Club
45. Gareth Williams, Cherry Valley RT
46. Richard Bott, Chester Road Club
47. Karl Freeman, Team Corley Cycles
48. Martin Freeman, Team Corley Cycles
49. Matthew Higgins, Team Corley Cycles
50. Tom Kirk, Team Corley Cycles
51. Warrick Spence, Cyclefit Serotta
52. Ian Cooper, Doncaster Wheelers
53. Adam Weaver, Doncaster Wheelers
54. Ray Wilson, Dunfermline Cycling Club
55. Rafail Radziej, Team Economic Energy
56. Alastair Carr, Felt Racing
57. Tom Crouch, Felt Racing
58. Ian Holt, Felt Racing,
59. Justin Hoy, Felt Racing
60. Peter Sargent, Felt Racing
61. Gary Adamson, FP Mailing
62. Richard Sykes-Popham, Glendene Cycling Club
63. Ben Thompson, Glendene Cycling Club
64. Alex Atkins, Glendene Cycling Club
65. Kristian Downs, Glendene Cycling Club
66. Chris Bartlett, Glendene Cycling Club
67. James Mather, Go Sports Spex RT
68. Wayne Webster, Go Sports Spex RT
69. Paul Wright, Go Sports Spex RT
70. Grant Bayton, GWR Team
71. Peter Kench, GWR Team
72. Daniel Smith, GWR Team
73. Nic Tilling, GWR Team
74. David Mclean, Heron Cyclesport
75. Paul Oldham, Hope Factory Racing
76. Matthew Kipling, Inkland / MTS Cycle Sport
77. Mark Wordsworth, JE James Racing Team
78. Robin Sharman, KFS Special Vehicles
79. Dafydd Dylan, KFS Special Vehicles
80. Gary Hand, KFS Special Vehicles
81. Gareth Hewitt, KFS Special Vehicles
82. Greg Roche, KFS Special Vehicles
83. James Stewart, KFS Special Vehicles
84. Pete Williams, Kinesis UK
85. James Sampson, Kinesis UK
86. Tom Murray, Kinesis UK
87. Mark Thwaites, Kinesis UK
88. Leigh Cowell, Kuota/Biemme/Spinergy
89. Andrew Guy, Kuota/Biemme/Spinergy
90. Rob Hayles, Team KLR
91. Mark Dziobon, Lancashire Road Club
92. Stephen Duffy, Velo Club Lincoln
93. Sam Humpheson, London Dynamo,
94. Tom Barras, Merlin Racing Team
95. Tom Smith, Merlin Racing Team,
96. Liam Holoham, Merlin Racing Team
97. Matthew Charity, Merlin Racing Team
98. Jon Mozley, Merlin Racing Team
99. Stephen Adams, Merlin Racing Team
100. David Creeggan, Velo Club Meudon
101. Tim Elverson, Velo Club Meudon
102. Warren Jesse, Velo Club Meudon
103. Duncan Urquhart, Velo Club Meudon
104. John Charlesworth, New Brighton RT
105. Simon Warren, Norwood Paragon CC
106. Martin Ford, P&O Thule
107. Dan Booth, Pedal Power Loughborough
108. Malcolm Elliott, Pinarello Racing Team
109. Adrian Timmis, Pinarello Racing Team
110. Kevin Dawson, Pinarello Racing Team
111. Andy Roche, Pinarello Racing Team,
112. Lee Davis, Pinarello Racing Team,
113. Andy Collis, Pinarello Racing
114. Richard Prebble, Pinarello Racing
115. Tony Gibb, Plowman Craven Racing Team
116. Simon Gaywood, Plowman Craven Racing Team
117. Gordon McCauley, Plowman Craven Racing Team
118. James Taylor, Plowman Craven Racing Team
119. Frederik Johansson, Plowman Craven Racing Team
120. Jason Allen, Plowman Craven Racing Team
121. Brian Biggs, Plowman Craven Racing Team
122. James Millard, Plowman Craven Racing Team
123. James McCullum, Plowman Craven Racing Team
124. Kevin Barclay, Plowman Craven Racing Team
125. Adam Norris, Plowman Craven Racing Team
126. William Bunday, RAF Cycling Club
127. Dean Downing, Rapha Condor Racing Team
128. Giancarlo Checchi, Rapha Condor Racing Team
129. Ross Muir, Rapha Condor Racing Team
130. Ben Price, Rapha Condor Racing Team
131. Matt Talbot, Rapha Condor Racing Team
132. Richard Wilkinson, Rapha Condor Racing Team, Lincoln
133. Chris Newton, Recycling.co.uk
134. Shaun Snodden, Recycling.co.uk
135. Graham Briggs, Recycling.co.uk
136. Ryan Bonser, Recycling.co.uk
137. Adam Bonser, Recycling.co.uk
138. Tom Diggle, Recycling.co.uk,
139. Simon Holt, Recycling.co.uk,
140. Matt Rowe, Recycling.co.uk,
141. Geoffrey Beetham, Retrobike.co.uk,
142. Marc Mallender, Rutland Cycling Club
143. Ian Wilkinson, Science in Sport – Trek,
144. Dave Collins, Science in Sport – Trek,
145. Matthew Cronshaw, Science in Sport – Trek,
146. Philip Dixon, Science in Sport – Trek,
147. Ian Bibby, Science in Sport – Trek,
148. Richard Kent, Science in Sport – Trek
149. Tim Lawson, Science in Sport – Trek,
150. Llewellyn Byrne, Science in Sport.com
151. Daniel Duguid, Sigma Sport
152. Mike Harrison, Sigma Sport
153. Matthew Stephens, Sigma Sport
154. Christian Tune, Sigma Sport
155. Russell Downing, Healthnet
156. Ashley Brown, Sportscover-Planet X
157. Mark Lovatt, Sportscover-Planet X
158. Wayne Randle, Sportscover-Planet X
159. John Tanner, Sportscover-Planet X
160. Chris Daddy, Stalbikes RT,
161. Stephen Ward, Stalbikes RT,
162. Steven Guymer, Team Swift Allsports
163. Sean Brennan, Team Synergy,
164. Cesar Cocco, Team Synergy,
165. James Whatling, Team Synergy,
166. Ian Field, Trek VW,
167. Ross Creber, Trek VW,
168. Mathew Armitage, VS Cycles,
169. John Doherty, VS Cycles,
170. Matt Jennings, Websters Cycles,
171. Tristan Barnes, Wills Wheels CC,
172. James Williamson, Wills Wheels CC,
173. Philip Axe, Zipp,
174. Darren Tiffin, Unattached
175. Neil Jones, Unattached
176. Gyles Wingate, Unattached
177. Lewis Meadows, Cleveland Wheelers
178. Darrell Pembroke, agiskoviner.com
179. Kit Gilham, Clifton Cycling Club
180. Andreas Perrakis Mid Devon Cycling Club (Greece)
PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE WITHAM VALLEY/LINCOLN GRAND PRIX
1956 Bob Eastwood Huddersfield Road Club
1957 Ron Coe Wilson Cycles
1958 Ron Coe Elswick Hopper
1959 Ron Coe Elswick Hopper
1960 John Perks Falcon Cycles
1961 John Perks Falcon Cycles
1962 Jim Grieves Helyett Cycles
1963 Albert Hitchen Viking Cycles
1964 Albert Hitchen Falcon Cycles
1965 Arthur Durham England
1966 John Clarey Woolwich Cycling Club
1967 Des Thompson New Zealand
1968 Doug Dailey Kirkby Cycling Club
1969 Pete Smith Clifton Cycling Club
1970 Tom Mullins Rockingham Cycling Club
1971 Dave Allen Birkenhead North End CC
1972 Phil Edwards Western Road Club
1973 Dave Vose Kirkby Cycling Club
1974 Steve Heffernan Archer Road Club
1975 Tony Gornall Clayton Velo
1976 Bill Nickson East Liverpool Wheelers
1977 Dave Cuming Kirkby Cycling Club
1978 Steve Lawrence VC Olympia Sport
1979 Geoff Taylor Liverpool Century
1980 Steve Joughin Manchester Wheelers
1981 Phil Thomas Liverpool Mercury
1982 Mark Bell Manchester Wheelers
1983 Malcolm Elliott Manchester Wheelers
1984 Neil Martin Angliasport
1985 Darryl Webster Manchester Wheelers
1986 Paul Curran Manchester Wheelers
1987 Paul Curran Manchester Wheelers
1988 Paul Curran Manchester Wheelers
1989 Mark Gornall Manchester Wheelers
1990 Brian Smith Velo Club d’Or
1991 Paul Curran Manchester Wheelers
1992 John Charlesworth Ace Racing Team
1993 Keith Reynolds Banana Energy Fruit
1994 Chris Walker Lex – Townsend
1995 Mark Walsham Tritech
1996 Kevin Dawson Optimum Performance
1997 John Tanner Controlware
1998 Chris Lillywhite Harrods
1999 Saulius Ruskis Team Oktos – MBK (France)
2000 Chris Newton Middridge Cycle Racing Team
2001 John Tanner Ribble – Pro Vision
2002 Huw Pritchard Angliasport
2003 Mark Lovatt Life Repair CRT
2004 David O’Loughlin Total Cycling (Ireland)
2005 Russell Downing recycling.co.uk
2006 Kristian House recycling.co.uk
