Richmond Grand Prix Next Stop in Premier Calendar
The Arthur Metcalfe Memorial Trophy
Round 7 of the British Cycling Premier Calendar Series
Event: Sunday 27th May 2007
Preview and photographs by Andrew Kennedy
New: Rider Info Document (Word doc 30kb)
Latest News - Russell Downing (HealthNet-Maxxis) has secured a ride in this Sunday's Premier Calendar Richmond Grand Prix. The Rotherham rider currently signed to an American squad has been given the all clear by immigration authorities to return to his team in America next week. Downing proved at the Lincoln Grand Prix he's in great shape by taking third place behind brother Dean Downing and Gordon McCauley, and will be looking to collect the prize money at Richmond. A full field of 100 will line up in Richmond town centre, we will have report, results and photos Sunday evening.
Preview: The Richmond Grand Prix is a new event to the Premier Calendar and the race over the Bank Holiday weekend could have a big impact on the series. With current leader Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk) away on team duty at the Irish Ras stage race, the scene is set for an epic battle between Ian Wilkinson (SIS-Trek), Dean Downing (Rapha-Condor) and Gordon McCauley (Plowman Craven/Evans Cycles). One of these riders is likely to take the overall lead from Newton, with Wilkinson being in the strongest position only 6 points behind.
Above: A good performance at Richmond from Ian Wilkinson (SIS-Trek) will put him at the top of the Premier Calendar series again.
Gordon McCauley, who admitted after the Lincoln that second place 'sucks' will head his large team of nine PCA-Evans Cycles riders, which also includes Tony Gibb and Simon Gaywood, and they'll be looking to take the top step position on the podium in Richmond. After his 2nd place to Dean Downing at the rain soaked Lincoln Grand Prix and 2nd place to Downing at the Tour of the Reservoir, McCauley -- a former Premier Calendar series winner -- will be highly motivated and out to claim his first Premier Calendar win of the season.
Look out also for in-form Pinarello RT rider Malcolm Elliott who had a fabulous win at the Rutland-Melton East Midlands Classic and Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) who is the most consistent rider in the series so far, having scored points in all six events but still without a win.
Above: Tony Gibb and the Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles RT return to the North of England moors with a strong team hoping to get one of their riders on the top spot.
Richmond might also be the launch pad for the teams who have yet to make a winning impact on the Premier Calendar, Roy Chamberlain (Corley Cycles) was part of the early break at the Archer GP that stayed away till the finish, and 19 year old Liam Holohan (Merlin RT) is proving he can make the break and stay with the likes of Malcolm Elliott at Rutland-Melton and the Downing brothers at Lincoln.
Above left: 19 year old Yorkshire rider Liam Holohan (Merlin RT) on the cobbles at Lincoln with former World Champion Rob Hayles on his wheel. Right: Arthur Metcalfe - (Photograph courtesy of International Cycle Sport 1968)
Arthur Metcalfe Memorial Trophy
The winner at Richmond will receive the Arthur Metcalfe Memorial Trophy dedicated to the tough Yorkshireman who rode the 1968 and 1969 editions of the Tour de France. Metcalfe spent his youth riding for Hartlepool CC, and later moved to Leeds and Harrogate. The roads around Richmond and North Yorkshire were the training ground for young Metcalfe. He died in 2002 aged 62.
The 135km Richmond course is based on the hilly Waitworth circuit, with the start and finish in historic Richmond town centre. The race will leave Richmond centre at 12.30 and follow a 9 mile run-out through lower Swaledale to the main circuit. Seven laps of the 10 mile circuit around Halfpenny House MOD tank training ground take the 100 riders up the 1km long, steep and straight Waitwith Bank. The King of the Mountains prime line and feed zones are at the top of Waitwith and will provide spectacular views for spectators.
The return to the finish in Richmond takes the riders on a rollercoaster 3 mile descent towards the 1km flag, with a final short sharp climb into the town centre and series of turns and roundabouts to negotiate, the organisers are hoping the field will be strung out to avoid a large bunch sprint. The crowds in Richmond will be treated to expert race commentary and a thrilling finish, the winners celebrated with flowers, champagne and big cash prizes.
The Premier Calendar road race is part of a whole package of cycling activities over the Bank Holiday weekend. Richmond Cycling Club have organised a 400 rider sportive event for the Saturday, a regional road race on Sunday morning and Bank Holiday Monday grass track racing. Top professional rider Dean Downing is looking forward to a busy weekend at Richmond, not only is he attempting to win his third Premier Calendar race of the season, but has entered the National 8km Grass Track championships on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Rotherham rider who has ridden for Great Britain on hard track and been a popular visitor to the Mildenhall grass track events in the East of the country, will have his work cut out on the grass as the grass track specialists won’t be prepared to give an inch and the racing promises to be fast, furious and aggressive if Downing wants to take his first National Champions jersey of the season.
RIDERS
1. Tony Gibb Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
2. Adam Norris Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
3. Simon Gaywood Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
4. James Millard Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
5. Gordon Macauley Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
6. James McCallum Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
7. Frederick Johansson Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
8. Kevin Barclay Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
9. Brian Biggs Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles Team
10. Malcolm Elliott Pinarello
11. Adrian Timmis Pinarello
12. Kevin Dawson Pinarello
13. Andy Roche Pinarello
14. Lee Davis Pinarello
15. Andy Collis Pinarello
16. Richard Prebble Pinarello
17. Dean Downing Rapha Condor RT
18. Giancarlo Checchi Rapha Condor RT
19. Ross Muir Rapha Condor RT
20. Ben Price Rapha Condor RT
21. Matt Talbot Rapha Condor RT
22. Richard Wilkinson Rapha Condor RT
23. Robin Sharman KFS Special Vehicles - Sunday Bicycles
24. Dafydd Dylan KFS Special Vehicles - Sunday Bicycles
25. Gary Hand KFS Special Vehicles - Sunday Bicycles
26. Gareth Hewitt KFS Special Vehicles - Sunday Bicycles
27. Greg Roche KFS Special Vehicles - Sunday Bicycles
28. James Stewart KFS Special Vehicles - Sunday Bicycles
29. Ian Wilkinson Scienceinsport-Trek
30. Dave Collins Scienceinsport-Trek
31. Matthew Cronshaw Scienceinsport-Trek
32. Richard Kent Scienceinsport-Trek
33. Jack Woodward Scienceinsport-Trek
34. Tim Lawson Scienceinsport-Trek
35. Tom Barras Merlin Racing Team
36. Tom Smith Merlin Racing Team
37. Liam Holoham Merlin Racing Team
38. Stephen Adams Merlin Racing Team
39. Jon Mozley Merlin Racing Team
40. Roy Chamberlain Alpha RC - Team Corley Cycles
41. Matthew Higgins Alpha RC - Team Corley Cycles
42. Richard Cartland Alpha RC - Team Corley Cycles
43. Karl Freeman Alpha RC - Team Corley Cycles
44. Martin Freeman Alpha RC - Team Corley Cycles
45. Pete Williams Kinesis UK
46. James Sampson Kinesis UK
47. Tom Murray Kinesis UK
48. Mark Thwaites Kinesis UK
49. Richard Sykes-Popham Glendene CC - Bike Trax
50. Alex Atkins Glendene CC - Bike Trax
51. Ben Thompson Glendene CC - Bike Trax
52. Kristian Downs Glendene CC - Bike Trax
53. Adam Bonser Recycling.co.uk
54. Matt Rowe Recycling.co.uk
55. Shaun Snodden Recycling.co.uk
56. Dan Staite Bike & Run London - Maximuscle - Look - Met - Sram
57. Alex Higham Bike & Run London - Maximuscle - Look - Met - Sram
58. Ben Hallam Bike & Run London - Maximuscle - Look - Met - Sram
59. Matthew Kipling Inkland – MTS Cyclesport Racing Team
60. Steve Gibson Inkland – MTS Cyclesport Racing Team
61. Rick King Inkland – MTS Cyclesport Racing Team
62. Steven Kenny VC Azzurri
63. Steven Ward VC Azzurri
64. Ronnie Batey VC Azzurri
65. Matthew Stephens Sigmasport RT
66. Mike Harrison Sigmasport RT
67. James Williamson Wills Wheels CC
68. Tristan Barnes Wills Wheels CC
69. Scott Gamble Ashfield RC
70. Andrew Stuart Ashfield RC
71. Mark Wordsworth JE James Racing Team
72. Stephen Ward Star Blues RT
73. Martin Smith AW Cycles
74. Richard Hepworth Wakefield CC - Exponential Systems
75. David Clarke Private Member
76. Leigh Cowell Kuota Biemme
77. John Charlesworth New Brighton RT
78. Neil Swithenbank ABC Centreville
79. Alastair Kay York Cycleworks
80. Mathew Armitage VS Cycles
81. Steven Guymer Team Swift - Allsports
82. Pete Hinchcliffe White Knight RC
83. Lewis Meadows Cleveland Wheelers CC
84. Stephen Rudkin FP Mailing
85. Richard Williamson Velo Sportif Quimper
86. Neil Jones Private Member
87. Darren Tiffen Private Member
88. Andy Oliver Alpine - Rootz
89. James Moss MTSCyclesport.com
90. Daniel Patten Pacific Flanders Racing
91. Stuart Gordon NBCC Abesco Cruden
92. Marcus Smith Cleveland Wheelers
93. Matt Jennings Websters Cycles
94. Alec Leslie AJCHVA Limoux - Credit Agricole Midi
95. Damin Smith Honister 92
96. Philip Holwell Rutland CC
97. Alistair Robinson KeswickBikes.co.uk
98. David Robinson NFM RT
99. Kit Gilham Clifton CC
100. Ryan MacLachan Cottingham Coureurs
RELATED LINKS
Website: www.richmondcyclingclub.co.uk
