Follow britishcycling.org.uk on 
Season Review from Team qoroz
Story posted October 1, 2010 | from David Walters
The youngsters of Team qoroz have put-in great efforts over the whole of the long racing season, with 6 victories, 38 top 10’s, a National podium, as well as broken bones and hospital visits that seem to be part of the deal! Not bad for a team with an average age of just 20.
The Premier calendar season has been full of action, drama and a great learning experience for all concerned. The highlight in terms of results was Hugh Wilson’s 12th place at Ryedale GP. A long, wearing race in awful conditions, Hugh rode aggressively and intelligently, sprinting with the best UK riders to the finish at Duncombe House, a great ride.
Ben Stockdale’s consistancy shone through all year, finishing all the 6 Prems he entered well within the much reduced main groups. At only 20 years old, this bodes extremely well for next season. Luke Dunbar tasted Prems for the first time this season and the performances at Lincoln and East Yorks in particular show undoubted potential, and with good finishes now under his belt, can build for next year. Matt Ullmer had an awful start in the Prems, with a bad crash and hospital visit at the Tour of Reservoir. Obviously this takes time to return from fully, but by the last two Prems at Beaumont and Richmond, Matt was finishing well in the peloton.
Elsewhere this year, Ben has defended his Martyrs RR title in Dorset with a dominant performance on a course that he seems to like! The team supported him very well as instructed, with Hugh claiming 4th and the rest of the team marshalling the bunch effectively. At the Evesham RR, Ben was mightily frustrated by a double puncture 10km from the finish whilst in the race winning break. Even so, and with adrenalin flowing, the whole team pulled to within 10 secs of the break, Ben claiming 4th nonetheless; another great team effort.
Hugh has come close on so many occasions, with a superb performance in the Kalas 2 day, where he claimed the sprinter’s jersey, winning 5 of 7 sprints on stage 4, eventually coming home 2nd. Attacking rides at the Kings of Wessex and Severn Valley RR, amongst others, didn’t quite pay-off with victories, but show enormous intent and race-craft, again good signs for the future. 23rd at the British Time Trial champs was a really good marker in the longest TT Hugh has done.
Other notable performances this year have come from Luke Dunbar at the South region Divs. On a sweltering day, Luke covered the early move, which didn’t come back all day...92 miles on a tough and exposed course resulted in a highly creditable 6th place. Matt has held form well and in the recent Steve Taylor Memorial rode aggressively from the gun and was part of a 60+ mile 2 man break, only to be caught on the run-in. A fine effort. Other performances for the good of the team were numerous and noticed by many observers.
The team’s youngest rider, Tom Stockdale has had a brilliant year. Working hard for the team in good National B races on junior gears, he has helped both establish and chase breaks and infiltrate moves, continually driving hard. He has won 3 road races, including a soaking Chas Messenger support race; a tough prologue and young riders jersey at the Tour of Dorset, and always featuring in the action in countless circuit races. Real highlights were a podium place at the national junior 10 mile TT, plus 6th at the British Junior Time Trial Championships signs of a real engine and great prospects for the future.
The Team would like to thank all the extremely supportive and enthusiastic partners and sponsors that continue to back the squad. Without this help the project would flounder and the rider’s development would stall; heartfelt thanks from all the riders and management involved. With this invaluable on-going support and encouragement, the Team can look forward to next season with highhopes and renewed vigour. 2010 has been a year of progress, fun and continued development for all concerned; head’s down to 2011.
www.qoroz.co.uk/team
