Local Riders, Local Races

Photo,David Wade
Jordan Wade (Poole Wheelers) had to settle for second place in round 3 of the Ludgershall winter road race series. Wade lost out by a tyre’s width after leading the sprint out at the Wiltshire venue and comes after his 4th place the previous week. The seventeen year old has bounced back after a difficult start to the year. Racing on the purpose built circuit at Hillingdon in West London, Wade crashed in his first two outings of the season. His confidence was dented but he has stuck at it and the results are starting to come. Wareham-based Wade is a bit of an all-rounder, riding Cyclo-cross, mountain biking and time trials.

He started road racing as a first year junior last season (2011) and quickly got his third category licence. A regular at the Moreton series, Wade is quickly gaining experience and with that experience will come confidence. The legs are strong, just ask team mate Gary Dighton. The former Olympian trains with Jordan: " If Jordan is on your wheel, you just can't get rid of him". Every Tuesday morning Wade is up at 5am, 35 miles on the mountain bike in Wareham forest, you start to get an idea where the strenght comes from. It was so cold this week the water in his bidon froze! "Now thats keen bordering on madness" says Jordans father Dave. Dad goes on to say "He certainly has some talent there, it's just extracting it and like all lads his age, he takes no notice of his dad!!" Jordan Wade will enjoy this season on the bike. Along with Ludgershall,Thruxton and the Mountbatten circuit races he will ride the Junior tour of Bristol in April as well as the Etape du Tour. He may be distracted a little by maths, physics and geography A-Levels, a place at university to study engineering is the goal. After those two crashes it would have been easy for Wade to pack it in. He did'nt, he got back on his bike and got on with it, that resilience and determination is just as important as talent!

The Great Britain team was struck by illness at the World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Belgium last weekend. Luke Gray escaped the sickness bug but had enough problems, Rob Gray kept a diary:

Day 1 Wednesday 25th - Luke meets the GB Team in the evening at the Hotel in De Panne.

Day 2 Thursday 26th - First practise day. Luke, riding on file tread tyres slides out on some mud on a corner into the course barriers and injured the top of his leg. Later lots of ice helps to bring the swelling down.

Day 3 Friday 27th- Last practise day. two of the Juniors fall ill then more start to follow. Junior Hugo Robinson is moved into Luke's room.
My wife Jeanne, Luke's girl friend Lisa, and myself arrived on the supporters coach and stay in a hotel only 100 yards from the GB Team Hotel. We met up with the limping Luke that night.
Later that night Luke's woken to find, Hugo's fallen ill. Luke said poor Hugo woke him up 10 times in the night to be sick.
Day 4 Saturday 28th- First race day of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships at Koksijde in on the Belgium coast, half hour's drive from Dunkirk. Only 1 Junior Joe Moses makes the race, the other two were ill with what they think was food poisoning.
At 3pm the under 23 race starts without the sick Steve James. Luke struggles in the energy sapping deep sandy sections from the start in what is a power course not suited to him. We saw the pain on his face as he struggled with his leg in the many running sections.
GB U23 rider Kenta Gallagher finishes in 30th, he fell ill later that night. Jack Clarkson was pulled at 1 lap to go and finished in 40th and as far as we no remained well. Luke came in at 52nd and was pulled with 3 laps to go. Understandably wasn't pleased, but I did remind him that after all that 52nd in the UCI World Championship race doesn't sound too bad. He also said that the huge cheering crowds were quite deafening in places but was glad of all the many Brits that had made the trip to support him and the rest of the GB squad.

By now several of the GB Team Staff, coaches and mechanics had fallen ill.

Day 5 Sunday 29th- Race day two. The crowds swell to an amazing 62,000 today. GB's Gabby Day didn't start. Luke said she left the house for home, were Luke and she stays in the week with a bad chest infection. Also Annie Last was a non starter she two was out due to the sickness.
National Women's Champ Helen Wyman leads from the start but fades, but Brit Nicky Harris is the star of the GB Team who finishes a fantastic 6th.
Lunch time was spent in the huge aircraft hanger (read beer tent) for much needed beer, frites and waffles. This was packed with about 2000 fans with much flag waving, outrageous fancy dress, drunkenness, and singing along to loud music. The atmosphere was fantastic.

Race-2, the Elite race started at 3pm, without GB's Jody Crawforth who failed to make the trip due to an illness. Then after 2 laps GB's Paul Oldham pulls out of the race. Not sure why but he was really struggling. Ian Field the new National Champion was off the pace and finished in 36th place.

Day 6 Monday 30th- Luke drove back to Oudenaarde, he has a couple more weeks of racing to finish the season with a GVA race and a Superprestige race before he returns home on the 12th Feb.
We returned to GB via a shopping spree for some Belgium beer.
Robert.

Daniel Lloyd will be riding for British Team, I G–Sigma Sports this season. Lloyd has spent 8 years as a professional rider but was facing retirement after failing to secure a contract for 2012. The former Tour de France rider will be racing in the UK and on the continent. The Sigma team have also signed up for the Tour of the Battenkill, the toughest one day race in the USA.The race website www.tourofthebattenkill.com has this to say:
America's largest one-day Pro/Am cycling race. Racers compete over 64 miles of rolling terrain on both dirt and paved roads as they travel through the world famous Battenkill Valley. Set in early spring, the race starts and finishes in the scenic village of Cambridge, New York and courses through covered bridges, family farms, and rural villages along the many challenging backcountry roads that traverse Southern Washington County, New York.

photo,www.tourofthebattenkill.com

Monday night road race coaching session with Chester Hill. The road season is just around the corner so why not sharpen up your road craft!!
At the Mountbatten Leisure centre (track).
19:45 for 20:00 start, finish at 21:00
The sessions will role on probably unitl the start of the athletics season
For Senior and Junior riders.
£5 a rider

The sessions will have a technical & tactical flavour, and include coaching a range of the below examples

Technical examples
Bunch etiquette
Sprint lead outs
Maintaining a position near the front of a group
Taking laps out for technical problem
Putting on and taking off a gillet / cape
Feeding at speed
Lunging the bike at the finish line
Taking a bottle / musette from a helper
distributing items between teammates
Sitting on/in
Clipping in at the start of a race
Group riding - Thru and off

Tactical related to:
Initiating attacks
Responding to attacks
Sprinting
Breakaway riding
Bunch riding
Blocking
Team strategies
The tactical elements will be delivered using a coaching technique called coach led racing, which is akin to exploratory learning for bike racers.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre
Portsmouth, United Kingdom

At 100 miles, the Wiggle Jurassic Classic Epic gives riders the chance to experience a challenging route cycling along the stunning Jurassic Coast World Heritage coastline from Exmouth.
This circular route will take you along the coast, through Budleigh Salterton, Otterton, Beer, Seaton and Lyme Regis before heading inland at Charmouth.
Here you ride through stunning countryside via Axminster, Honiton and Woodbury Common before descending back into Exmouth for the finish.
There are some challenging climbs to test you along the way; Salcombe Hill is one to watch out for!

www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

"Local Riders,Local Races" is just about the only place still offering 20% at Primera Sports. Treat yourself ahead of the race season! You may not have the legs but you can always have the kit!!

Local Riders,Local Races

Dan Lewis (RAF) won the final round of the Wessex league Cyclo-Cross series at the Thruxton Motor racing circuit.Lewis ended his season strongly, having won the Gloucester City Cross event the week before. New Forest –based Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) has already wrapped up the overall title and opted not to race the last event.

Luke Gray will be riding for Great Britain at this weekends World Cyclo-Cross Championships. Gray, from Broadstone has been selected for the under 23 team along with Kenta Gallagher,Jack Clarkson,& new national U23 champion, Steve James (Hargroves Cycles). Koksidje in Belgium is the venue for this years championships and the deep sand on the circuit will ensure the strongest triumph!

Daniel Lloyd will be back racing in the UK this season after signing a deal with Team I G-Sigma Sport. " I know most of the team, they are all good guys and a bunch of great sponsors to work with too, IG-Sigma will be a great fit for me" tweeted Lloyd. After Garmin-Cervelo decided not to renew Lloyd's contract, the 3 time Grand Tour finisher was facing early retirement.

Former Garmin-Cervelo teammate Roger Hammond is also out of contract and faces an uncertain future.Hammond specialised in Cyclo-Cross, winning the World Junior Title in 1992. After turning professional in 2000 with Collstrop he has enjoyed a successful road career. Twice a British road race champion, two stage wins in the tour of Britain and 2nd at Gent-Wevelgem, Hammond hit the headlines in 2004, finishing 3rd at Paris-Roubaix.




Exert from the first, Friends of Bournemouth Cycling Centre(BCC) Meeting

....."A weekly Track League to be run each Tuesday evening commencing 17th April to end of August and A Saturday kid’s club start date and details to be advised.In addition BCC also plan to extend use of the site to include Cyclocross events which would certainly maximise use during winter months. BCC were keen to advise that no development is possible without volunteers being willing to offer their time and expertise, essential to ensure the day to day operation of the facility. This includes those who can support the administration and control of regular events. Of course nothing at all is possible without promoters, organisations and clubs booking sessions so BCC can get riders on the track and make use of their fantastic facility.
The Centre is one of the few facilities dedicated to cycling in the country and organised by cyclists for cyclists. It is BCCs aim to retain that position. Should you be able to assist please contact info@bournemouth.cc......."

CTT Handbook 2012 is now on sale! Available from CTT HQ. (link at top of page)

Closed Road Sportif on the Isle of Wight!! Is this the future of road racing in the south?

Several riders have had their Boxing Day 10 entries returned in the post marked “Not Known at this Address” It seems, perhaps the postman delivered them to the wrong address. There may well have been more entries gone astray. Only 13 entries had been received by the closing date and the New Forest CC took the decision to cancel this long running festive event! The 2012 Boxing Day event is listed in this years CTT Handbook.

Local Riders,Local Races

Paralympic Champion Darren Kenny, OBE is in hard training for next month’s world championships. Verwood-based Kenny has just spent two weeks at the Newport Velodrome in Wales ahead of the Championships in Los Angeles, California. A mixture of high intensity speed work and pacing behind a motor bike should see Kenny in top form. At last year’s championships in Italy he won three gold medals and will be looking to defend all his titles in the USA. He will start as favourite in the 1km TT and the 3,000m individual pursuit.

The team sprint however will prove a harder ask. A change in the rules means the GB team cannot pick their strongest three riders. Kenny will line up with world & Paralympic champions Jody Cundy and Sarah Storey.
The three were picked after a series of trials at the Welsh cycling centre, Mark Colbourne and Jon-Allan Butterworth were the other riders in contention.
The London Paralympic games are on the horizon and media interest in the squad is intense. BBC Wales, BBC Sport, The Sunday Times Channel 5, Reuters, The Press Association & Cycling Weekly were all in attendance at the squad’s hotel Also heading to the states will be tandem pilot Barney Storey. Now based at the national cycling centre in Manchester, Storey, from Corfe Mullen remains a member of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers. Storey, along with visually impaired stoker, Neil Fachie will compete in the 1KM time trial and the tandem sprint. It promises to be a busy year for the squad and both Kenny and Storey will hope to be selected for the London Paralympic games in August/September.

Roger Papp, operations manager at BCC tells "E D" about the recent meeting to discuss the future use of the Bournemouth Track:

The first meeting of “Friends of BCC” (Bournemouth Cycling Centre) took place at the Hotel Collingwood in Bournemouth on Monday 16 January 2012.

The first meeting was open to everybody which enabled a broad selection of views on the centre to be received.

BCC were very pleased with the attendance, which included local clubs and riders, in addition to organisations and businesses that have made bookings at the centre since it opened.

A broad and detailed selection of information was provided to the meeting, and it was interesting to note there are already 150 riders registered with BCC who have taken advantage of the 117 sessions arranged so far.

From a financial prospective the centre is meeting their target for year one, which from a standing start has been very encouraging.

Bournemouth Borough Council have agreed a progressive ramp up in charges for ground and site maintenance, payable by April of each year, and while their objective is to be “cost neutral”, this still requires a significant and increasing sum to be paid each year to the council.

BCC is run as a not for profit “Ltd” organisation, and to support their development they presented a comprehensive business plan which includes growth in track usage, through Schools, University and Youth groups.

Sessions already booked for 2012 include:
• A weekly Track League to be run each Tuesday evening commencing 17th April to end of August. This is a British Cycling open series.
• A weekly intermediate training session each Wednesday commencing 18th April. This is for BCC licensed riders, or those who have progressed to stage 2 accreditation or above.
• A Saturday kid’s club. Start date and details to be advised.

In addition BCC also plan to extend use of the site to include Cyclocross events which would certainly maximise use during winter months.

The business plan includes a requirement, if funds permit, for a comprehensive website development to enable organisers and riders to enter and pay for sessions and events in advance.

BCC were keen to advise that no development is possible without volunteers being willing and available to offer their time and expertise in all areas essential to ensure the day to day operation of the facility. This of course includes those who can support the administration and control of regular events, but also professional support in all commercial areas essential to maintain and grow any progressive business.

Of course nothing at all is possible without promoters, organisations and clubs booking sessions so BCC can get riders on the track and make use of their fantastic facility.

The Centre is one of the few facilities dedicated to cycling in the country and organised by cyclists for cyclists. It is BCCs aim to retain that position.

The summary slide of their presentation covered the four key areas.

Track Bookings and enquiries – Roger Papp
Coaching – David Gilham
Track League – Alan McRae
Development Plan roll out – Andrew Mayfield

Should you be able to assist with any of these areas, please contact info@bournemouth.cc

For updates to the above events and other general information, please refer to the BCC website http://www.bournemouth.cc/
(link on right)

Luke Gray (Baboco) returned to his Belgium base after last week’s national championships for a world cup race at Lievin in France. The former national under 23 champion has been working with his new Danish coach and is starting to find some consistency.
Gray was the only U23 GB team rider in a select group of 6 GB riders, with Junior Hugo Robinson also in GB kit. The others where, Gabby Day who stays at the same place as Luke in Oudenaarde, Helen Wyman and Nicky Harris along with Elite Ian Field who also live in the same town. There was no GB back up at this race but Stef Wyman was acting manager. Speaking to “E D” Gray said:

“On race day the weather was a cold 0 degrees with most of the course covered in frost. There were some very short sharp steep climbs and a huge flight of steps to run up. Apart from a couple of places where there was some very draggy slow soft grass bits, it was a very fast race.
On the first lap there was a big coming together of bodies and bikes when a couple of riders failed to ride one of the steep banks. Luckily i managed to ride passed the mayhem of riders fighting to untangle their bikes.
I didn't quite have the power and seemed to be lacking top speed but after the race felt fine. I really enjoyed the slippery course as it tested your skill, with the last few downhill twisty bends being my favourite section.”
Danish U23 Champion Kenneth Hanson, who joined the Baboco team this year, crashed out of the race just in front of Luke. He is also the Danish elite Champ and with no GB pit crew, it was his father who was taking care of Grays pits throughout the race.

Photo's by kind permission of Rob Gray

This weekend is the last round of the Cyclo-Cross World Cup series in Hoogerheide, Holland. Luke will once again be riding for the GB team with a full GB support crew and staff on hand to man the pits.

This Sunday see’s the final round of the Wessex League Cyclo-Cross competion. Held at Thruxton motor circuit, entry is on the line, under 12s start at 10:00 with Senior’s at 12:45

Over 80 riders signed on for the third of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 4 winter reliability trials.The 75 mile route took in some of the biggest hills in Dorset. The 100 mile event on February 12th concludes the series and those who have completed all four rides will receive a specially minted medal.

Local Riders,Local Races

It was lucky thirteen for Stuart Bowers (Hargroves Cycles) at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships. Bowers battled his way to thirteenth place and helped his team win the National Elite Title at Chantry Park, Ipswich. The Ensbury Park-based rider backed up New Champion Ian Field and third place Jody Crawforth to claim the team medals. It was a satisfying result for Bowers, pressure of work has restricted his racing programme this year. Broadstone’s Luke Gray (Baboco) struggled to retain his under 23 crown. Gray crashed inside the first minute of the race after being hit from behind and was forced into the pits to change bikes. A gallant chase saw him claw his way up to fourth place, but that was as good as it got. Gray returned to his base in Belgium with the good news that he has been selected for the GB team for the world championships at the end of the month. Wessex league leader Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) has been in good form but could only manage 22nd place.Speaking to "E D" Cotty said,"It was a tough day, i was a little under par on what i'd hoped for. It was a powerman's course, super fast with no technical.The lead up to the race was a bit more stressful than normal, not just because it's a big race but because my girlfriend was in hospital for an operation on Wednesday. All seemed ok but she was readmitted on Friday in a lot of pain. I thought i would be able to race ok, no excuses but maybe the mental stress scrubbed a little bit of the top end needed to be there. I am dissapointed but racing is racing and life is life"

Harrison Fielding (Poole Wheelers) continues to impress in the Calshot track league. Wins in the 1km TT, and the Points race confirm the Corfe Mullen youngsters promise. Fielding also grabbed 2nd place in both the sprint and the Scratch race.

Darren Kenny & Barney Storey have both been putting in quality training at Newport track ahead of the Para-Cycling world championships. Storey is from Corfe Mullen and is still a member of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers despite now living in Manchester.

Kenny lives in Verwood and still has links with his first club, Bournemouth Arrow.

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers winter reliability trial series continues this Sunday with the 75 mile event. The 75 includes Okeford Hill, this year climbed from the Turnworth side and the even steeper St Johns, which takes the riders up to Shaftesbury. The HQ is at Merley Community centre and refreshments are available. The first riders will set off at 09:00.

Don’t forget this Monday’s Bournemouth Cycling Centre Meeting, 7.30pm at Hotel Collingwood. Alan McRae, Facility & Development manager at the track said “We will summarise the progress so far, plans for 2012 beyond just the track and call for involvement from across the local cycling community.
At present the Centre is run "by cyclists for cyclists" but we need help to maintain that enviable position.”

HOTEL COLLINGWOOD 11 PRIORY ROAD BH2 5DF

Local Riders,Local Races!

Stuart Bowers (Hargroves Cycles) is looking forward to this weekend’s National Cyclo-Cross Championships, after hitting form at the right time. Ensbury Park-based Bowers has had a slow start to the winter season but after some solid training miles he is starting to fire on all cylinders. A strong performance in the Crabwood CC Boxing day race saw the Hargroves rider take second place behind Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale). Chantry Park, Ipswich is the venue for this year’s championships and Bowers will be more than satisfied if he can match his 6th place of last year. Mike Cotty will also be targeting a top ten finish at Ipswich.

New Forest-based Cotty has been racing in Belgium in preparation for the championships. Belgium is the home of Cyclo-cross and crowds of 10,000 or more are not unusual. “It’s phenomenal, I loved every minute of it, the noise from the crowd is intoxicating beyond belief” said Cotty. Reigning U23 Champion, Luke Gray (Baboco), from Broadstone is another local rider who will be racing at Ipswich. Gray has spent the last 4 months living and racing in Belgium and has found the competition tough. Successfully defending his title would be a rare victory for Gray in what has been a difficult year.

World champion, Darren Kenny OBE, from Verwood has been selected for the World Para-Cycling track championships. Kenny has been named in a 14 man squad for the championships in Los Angeles in February. The World Championships represent the last opportunity for qualification points towards the London 2012 Paralympic games. Great Britain are sending a strong squad, including Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 2nd claimers Sarah & Barney Storey.

Tandem pilot Barney, rode most of last season with visually impaired stoker, Anthony Kappes. In L A Storey will pilot Neil Faichie, while former Olympic medallist, Craig Maclean will ride with Kappes.

Ahead of the World Championships the squad will be putting in some intensive work with two, four day training camps at the Newport Velodrome in Wales.

The Poole Wheelers are running a series of “Turbo Trainer” evenings at St Dunstan’s Church Hall Poole Rd, Upton. Running for twelve weeks on Monday evenings, the indoor sessions are designed to build speed, stamina and of course weight loss. Full details from adam.wykes@btinternet.com.

Matrix Fitness/Prendas Ciclismo is the new name for the Horizon Fitness Womens team, support from Johnson Health Tech UK – which includes the Matrix Fitness brand – and Prendas Ciclismo, has ensured the team’s continuation.
Prendas Ciclismo will be providing kit for the all British squad

2012 team line-up: Sarah Byrne, Dani King, Hannah Rich, Joanna Rowsell, Penny Rowson, Annie Simpson, Hannah Walker, Jessie Walker plus Team Mentor Helen Wyman.

Jason Falconer
Sustrans Bike It Officer,Working in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole Councils,
01202 451185
07827 927541
jason.falconer@sustrans.org.uk

Local Cycling News

Bournemouth Cycling Centres weekly Track League Competition is scheduled to be run on Tuesday evenings next year. The lead up to the Olympics will see an enormous boost in the profile of track cycling and, with it, an increased use of Bournemouth track. During 2011 an initial group of 8 volunteers came forward and were trained by British Cycling to be Level 2 Track Coaches. However more volunteers are needed.
Alan McRae of BCC says "The local cycling community has benefited already from the last intake of coaches and to continue this growth we urgently need additional resource to come forward now. This would give us time to kick start their training so they can be operational next summer. Participation in our sport relies on volunteers and I would urge all those who would like to give something back to step forward now."
To register an interest, please contact info@bournemouth.cc by December 11th. The new facility at Slades Farm has proved to be a great success, since opening in June. However the winter weather is starting to take its toll, as more and more sessions are cancelled due to the track being wet.

Cyclo-Cross

Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Canondale)continues to impress, winning the latest round of the Wessex League at Sonning Common nr Reading. Cotty was a clear winner but there was confusion with the results after the Seniors, Juniors, Vets & Women all went off together.

In contrast, Luke Gray (Baboco)has been struggling to find form. Riding for Great Britain Gray finished in a lowly 60th place in the U23 race at the UCI Cyclo-Cross world cup on the Belgian coast. Despite being under the weather, Gray travelled back to Broadstone and then on to Derby for round 3 of the National Trophy. As leader of the U23 series, Gray was on the front row of the grid but the fast start saw him slip back down the field. With 10 minutes to go he was in 11th place when his world fell apart. The sickness of the last few days caught up with Gray, his legs deserted him and he dropped to last place. After spending 45 minutes with an ambulance crew Gray was able to travel back to Belgium. "I wont be doing much this week" he said.

POOLE WHEELERS CHRISTMAS CRACKER CROSS WAREHAM FOREST BH20 7PA, 18TH DECEMBER, WESSEX LEAGUE COUNTING EVENT.

Early Road Race Dates 2012
Ludgershall Winter Series
Reme Test Track
Wiltshire
SP11 9RP
Start Saturday 09:00am, Cat;Seniors
14/01/12 Race 1
21/01/12 Race 2
28/01/12 Race 3
04/02/12 Race 4
11/02/12 Race 5
18/02/12 Race 6
25/02/12 Race 7
03/03/12 Race 8

The 2012 Perfs Pedal Race will be run on the Portsdown Hill circuit on the 12th February

The race will cover five complete 8.5 mile laps making six climbs of Portsdown Hill. A total of 46 miles/74kms
The 47th Perfs Pedal Race on Sunday 12th February 2012
Race Distance: 46 miles/74km
Open to Elite,1,2,3 and J1,J2,J3
Entries £22.00 by 23 January 2012 to Mick Waite, 249 Havant Road, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 1DB Tel 0239 237 9753

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers popular winter reliability trial series continues Sunday.

The challenging 100km route crosses the Purbecks and Bovington Heath before the tough climb through Milton Abbas. The start and finish is at Merley Community Centre. Refreshments are available and the first riders set off at 9am.

Mon 20:00 5th Dec 2011 at Merley Community.
Centre Riders’ Cycling Adventure Talk:
TransAm, a 4,500 mile ride across America!