Stephenson Named on Long List for Worlds

Will Stephenson (Primera/Specialized) has been named on the 12 rider long list for the world road race championships in Limburg, Holland later this month. It is just reward for Stephenson who has enjoyed a fine season and recently finished second in the Junior Tour of Wales and sits on top of the BC 1st cat rankings with 508 points. The World Championships will run from 15th-23rd, with the 129km junior race taking place on the last day ahead of the elite race.If selected the rolling,technical course, including many of the climbs that feature in the Amstel Gold classic, should suit Stephensons style. Final selection will take place around the 13th.

Will Stephenson goes to Belgium!

Primera /Specialized junior, Will Stephenson reports on his first taste of racing in Belgium……….We travelled up to London on the Friday night and stayed in a travel lodge before catching the channel tunnel over to Calais. From there we drove into Belgium. The first thing I noticed was the lack of any hills other than the motorway slip roads and bridges. The first race was on the Saturday afternoon and it was the windiest I've ever raced in, at least it was warm and sunny! We got there in plenty of time and road the course, which was essentially a 5.2km square with a tail wind finishing straight. We had 17 laps to do. The pace was high from the gun with a number of attacks going. Little shelter in the peloton from the relentless cross winds meant no one had an easy ride. The racing over there was very different to anything I've ever experienced before. No one wants to work together, even people on the same team. When an attack goes everyone just sits there shouting and screaming at each other, with the attitude that they'll bridge the gap on their own later. When a group of 10 went off the front, everyone just sat looking at each other. I went off the front with another rider who had travelled with us from the Isle of Man. We worked hard together and bridged the gap. At about half way it was breaking up further with more attacks going off the front. Again I managed to bridge the gap up to the front group. Then it was just a group of 7 remaining. One after the other 3 riders made solo efforts leaving me in a group of 4 with 4 laps to go. I put in another effort and managed to get away with the another rider. We worked well, catching the 2 of the 3 riders up the road. The caught riders were then dropped from the group. With about a km to go I put in an attack to try and get away on the cross wind section but the other rider responded well. He then attacked going into the final corner and opened up a gap of a few bike lengths. I thought I'd had it but I opened up my sprint and put my head down, catching him back and opening a gap to take 2nd. I was really pleased with the result, my first race abroad! On the second day, my legs were feeling very stiff from the day before. It was a very strange experience during sign on, where we got paid just for taking part (take note british races)! I kept attacking, but there were a lot of fresh legs in the peloton and no one wanted to let people go at first. Towards the end a big group of riders slipped off the front and despite my best efforts my legs didn't have enough to escape the peloton and bridge the gap. I put in a big attack with 2km to go but everyone was on my wheel straight away. I settled back in for the sprint. I managed to finish at the front of the bunch kick, picking up 17th. Not brilliant but respectable. A great weekends racing away, I'm looking forward to going over again in a few weeks. In the mean time I've got a few Junior National series races planned and some circuit races with the team during the week.

Another Win for Eastwood!

Another fast attacking race with numerous breaks forming but never getting more than half a lap before being brought back by the bunch. Primera Specialized once again controlling things by placing a rider or two in all of the breaks but in the end it came down to a sprint. Ian Legg proving his returning form led Jay Eastwood out for two of the 5 remaining laps, a few short attacks were pulled back then with 400 to go Jay opened up with Justin Hoy (Felt) on his shoulder and last week’s winner Phil Reynolds (Hansford Cycles) on the wheel. The only challenge was from sprint specialist Hoy and although very close, Hoy was denied with Eastwood taking win no.2 in as many weeks. Will Stephenson brought the bunch in, making it a first & third for the Primera team.

Primera/Specialized team leader Jason Eastwood said,“We have proven to be a very competitive team already and its only a few weeks into our first year. The four of us work really well together, each rider working to their strengths and being supported by the team in areas where they are not so strong. Will has come a long way and really benefiting from a team environment and despite Ian curiously suffering with poor form (now diagnosed as a tooth infection) he has laboured as our own super domestique for the team ensuring where he can that we are where we need to be in the race. Toby, a super strong breakaway specialist has had the lead outs when needed, with two wins already coming from this and his legs only getting stronger we are expecting a few more.”

Stephenson Defends Title at The Divs!!

Will Stephenson (Primera/Specialized) defended his Southern Division Junior Title with some panache. Stephenson was away for most of the race with Mitch Webber (Andover Wheelers).

The pair had broken away on the second lap, chasing Simon Healy (Andover Wheelers). Healey was part of the supporting race that had started with the juniors and also included the women’s race. Stephenson & Webber made contact with Healey and the gap to the bunch would prove decisive.

Although in different races it was inevitable that Healey and Webber would work together, Stephenson was aware however and kept enough in the legs to attack through the feed zone. By the time he took the chequered flag he had a gap of more than 3 minutes on Webber and Healey, the latter easily winning the supporting race. Kimberly Ashton (Abergavenny RC) won the women’s title finishing ahead of Adele Tyson-Bloor.

New Womens Champion, 24 year old Kimberley Ashton said,"It was good fun, i have never ridden this course before, its hilly so it suits me down to ther ground. My aim was obviously to be first lady but if the juniors attack to try to go with them and see what happens. I am feeling strong at the moment and its nice to get a win. I have a week off then the Tour Series, the national series and the Nationals. I like the hills, i think if i am suffering then they must be"

WOMEN
1st Kimberley ASHTON Abergavenny Road Club / Gateway Cycles / Nick Lane
2nd Adel TYSON-BLOOR VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
3rd Anna FISCHER Wilier / Live2ride
4th Ellie GILHAM Bournemouth Arrow CC-Hotel Colingwood
5th Miriam FREMANTLE Team Hope Factory RT

JUNIOR
1st Will STEPHENSON Primera Specialized
2nd Mitch WEBBER Andover Wheelers
3rd Daniel MARSHALL Bristol Cycling Development Squad
4th George STAINTON-ELLIS i-team Cyclist’s Club
5th Charley BRADLEY-VEILANDS Wilier / Live2ride
6th Jordan WADE VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
7th Tom BOWERING Perfomance Cycles CMI
8th Andy SHACKEL VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
9th Harry VEALE i-team Cyclist’s Club
10th Ben Le BROCQ Jersey Cycling Association Youth Academy
11th Luke DAVIES VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
12th Noah GODMAN Severn Road Club
NON CHAMP Supp MC+3 / 4
1st Simon HEALEY Andover Wheelers
2nd Alan SPURDEN Andover Wheelers
3rd Nick WALMSLEY Corinium Cycling Club
4th Steve COTTINGTON Cadence RT
5th Roland TILLEY Ridebike.co.uk
6th Berni CHARLICK Cycle Club Basingstoke
7th Cameron CAMPBELL Army Cycling Union
8th Matthew BLACKMORE Bristol RC
9th Ian HUMBLE Gloucester City CC
10th Chris HUTCHINGS BC PM – South
11th Steve MOSS Bournemouth Arrow CC-Hotel Colingwood
12th Pete PHILLIPS Bath CC
13th Peter BOLKE BC PM – South
14th David RUTTY Velo Club Bristol _ Webbs of Warmley
15th Peter HUCHINSON Corinium Cycling Club
16th Andy REDDING i-team Cyclist’s Club
17th David HOBBS Corinium Cycling Club
18th Keith SHERIDAN Hargroves Cycles / Trant / Next / specialized
19th Richard BURCH Sotonia CC
20th Pete HUMPHREYS Gillingham and District Wheelers
21st Andrew McCOMBIE CC Basingstoke

Stephenson at the Sharp End!

Will Stephenson (Primera/Specialized) gives his side of the story from the sharp end of the race at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth…………
“ High winds and a fast pace from the off the race was going to be tough.With Jay Eastwood gagging for a win (his own words!) he went with an early attempt at a break but it didn't stick. Toby on good form from the night before, we had high hopes and when the defining 4 man break was formed both Toby and I made the cut along with 2 Peter Handsford's riders, Phil Reynolds and Harry Bulstrode later joined by Henry Newbery (gwr giant) who jumped a small gap when the break was almost brought back by vc st Raphael.
> It took a long time to gain the lap with the chasing peloton. Once back on , Jay Eastwood managed to control the race well, not letting anyone get away. Ian, who was looking strong, managed to slip off the front with Rowan Horner (vcstr) and James smith (primal) and stay away untill the end securing a 3rd rider in the top 10 with 8th overall. When it came down to it the Peter Handsford's lead out train had formed with one lap to go and they were getting ready for the sprint. With me and Toby on his wheel, Jay put in the biggest Mark Renshaw style effort, flying past the Hansford's riders and delivering us to the front in the perfect position for the sprint. Unfortunately my heavy legs let the team down and we had to settle for 2nd and 4th with a late burst from Phil Reynolds taking the win. A great effort but still a little dissappointed not to get the top spot. We will be back for more next week; hoping Jay can show us how it’s done! Great team work and good to see Ian coming back to form following some Wisdom teeth issues.”
Full Results to come

Bournemouth Arrow/Raymond Brown Track League 1

The first round of the Raymond Brown track league was hailed a success, bright evening sunshine and fast aggressive racing christened the track. A programme of youth racing, scratch, points and elimination races kept coming till the sun went down. Poole Wheelers junior, Harrison Fielding has plenty of speed in his legs, a winter on the Calshot track has seen to that. Fielding was always at the head of affairs, looking to make the race, the impetuosity of youth getting the better of the tactician perhaps. “It hurts but it’s meant to” said the youngster.

He did not have it all his own way however, Will Stephenson (Primera/Specialized), also a junior, looks effortlessly strong, either chasing down or going for a “long one”. Sixth overall in the recent Junior Tour of the Mendips does not come without effort.

Jordan Wade (VC ST Raphael/Waite Contracts) is another youngster with the fight and determination required to win. The action was fast and thrilling! The small crowd of supporters and the” just curious” were certainly entertained. “Come along and watch for free” say the Bournemouth Cycling Centre.

The youngsters are the future but it is not all about them, experienced campaigner Roland Tilley (Ridebike.co.uk), raced on the old Winton Rec “D” shaped track. Twice a winner of the Southern area DIVS, Tilley, 48, spends his time racing mountain bikes but the track craft was evident and the fire still burns. “That Fielding was just a bit too fast for me tonight but its early days”

Despite the loss of the two dress rehearsal events to the rain, the officials soon found their feet and the operation will get slicker. The turnout was disappointing; no doubt the recent bad weather was a factor for those who had to travel. The locals, however, had no such excuse; the sun had been shining since early afternoon. Event promoter Alan McRae expects to double the numbers and momentum will undoubtedly build. McRae was happy with the first ever track meeting at the venue!

“It is all about speed. Tonight's racing was the fastest ever held in Bournemouth, it proved what a thrilling sport track cycling is and provided a shop window for local talent. These weekly meetings will really sharpen up riders so they ride and think quicker, and are therefore more competitive. It is an opportunity not to be missed”.

RESULTS
EVENT 1 12 LAP POINTS RACE GROUP B RACE 1
1 Harrison FIELDING Poole Whs CC
2 Roland TILLEY Ridebike.co.uk
3 Leon MARSHALL Rutrainingtoday CC
4 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
5 Mark HARDWICK Bournemouth Arrow CC
EVENT 5.2 - 12-LAP POINTS RACES - GROUP B - RACE 2
1 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
2 James BRIGHTWELL Bournemouth Arrow CC
3 Philip EVANS Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
4 Alex CARLSON Wight Wheelers ?
5 Les PICK Poole Whs CC
6 Phil HARVEY Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
EVENT 6.1 - 12-LAP POINTS RACE - GROUP A
1 Will STEPHENSON Primera-Specialized
2 Adam D'ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
3 Andy BUDDLE Poole Whs CC
4 Jordan WADE VC St.Raphael
EVENT 8 - 12 LAP SCRATCH RACE - GROUP B
1 Harrison FIELDING Poole Whs CC
2 Roland TILLEY Ridebike.co.uk
3 Leon MARSHALL Rutrainingtoday CC
4 James BRIGHTWELL Bournemouth Arrow CC
5 Philip EVANS Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
6 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
7 Mark HARDWICK Bournemouth Arrow CC
8 Alex CARLSON Wight Wheelers ?
9 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
10 Les PICK Poole Whs CC
11 Phil HARVEY Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
EVENT 9 - 12 LAP SCRATCH RACE - GROUP A
1 Will STEPHENSON Primera-Specialized
2 Andy BUDDLE Poole Whs CC
3 Jordan WADE VC St.Raphael
4 Adam D'ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
EVENT 11 - ELIMINATION RACE - GROUPS A/B
1 Harrison FIELDING Poole Whs CC
2 Will STEPHENSON Primera-Specialized
3 Jordan WADE VC St.Raphael
4 Adam D'ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
5 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
6 Roland TILLEY Ridebike.co.uk
7 Andy BUDDLE Poole Whs CC
8 Alex CARLSON Wight Wheelers ?
9 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
10 Leon MARSHALL Rutrainingtoday CC
11 Phil HARVEY Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
0 James BRIGHTWELL Bournemouth Arrow CC
0 Philip EVANS Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
0 Mark HARDWICK Bournemouth Arrow CC
0 Les PICK Poole Whs CC
EVENT 13 - UNKNOWN DISTANCE NOCTURNE - GROUPS A/B
1 Will STEPHENSON Primera-Specialized
2 Harrison FIELDING Poole Whs CC
3 Jordan WADE VC St.Raphael
4 Andy BUDDLE Poole Whs CC
5 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
6 Adam D'ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
7 Roland TILLEY Ridebike.co.uk
8 Leon MARSHALL Rutrainingtoday CC
9 Alex CARLSON Wight Wheelers ?
10 Phil HARVEY Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
0 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
0 James BRIGHTWELL Bournemouth Arrow CC
0 Philip EVANS Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
0 Mark HARDWICK Bournemouth Arrow CC
0 Les PICK Poole Whs CC

YOUTHS
EVENT 1.1 - SCRATCH RACE 1
1 Luke DIGHTON Poole Whs CC
2 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Whs CC
3 Lucy PICK Poole Whs CC
4 Charlotte PICK Poole Whs CC
EVENT 1.2 - SCRATCH RACE 2
1 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
2 Sue ANDREWS I Team CC
3 Rebecca HURST Poole Whs CC
4 Alistair FIELDING Poole Whs CC
EVENT 4.1 - 3-LAP POINTS RACE
1 Lucy PICK Poole Whs CC
2 Luke DIGHTON Poole Whs CC
3 Charlotte PICK Poole Whs CC
4 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Whs CC
EVENT 4.2 - 4-LAP POINTS RACE
1 Alistair FIELDING Poole Whs CC
2 Sue ANDREWS I Team CC
3 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
4 Rebecca HURST Poole Whs CC
EVENT 7 - 8-LAP SCRATCH RACE
1 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
2 Sue ANDREWS I Team CC
3 Alistair FIELDING Poole Whs CC
4 Rebecca HURST Poole Whs CC
5 Luke DIGHTON Poole Whs CC
6 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Whs CC
7 Lucy PICK Poole Whs CC
8 Charlotte PICK Poole Whs CC
EVENT 10 - ELIMINATION RACE
1 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
2 Alistair FIELDING Poole Whs CC
3 Sue ANDREWS I Team CC
4 Rebecca HURST Poole Whs CC
5 Luke DIGHTON Poole Whs CC
6 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Whs CC
7 Lucy PICK Poole Whs CC

Junior Will Stephenson 8th at Les Ingham RR!

Junior Will Stephenson (Primera/Specialized) rode with maturity beyond his years to finish 8th in a quality field at the Les Ingham Road Race in Surrey. Matt Higgins (Node 4)won the race from team mate James Moss.
Brief Results:

1. Matt Higgins Node 4
2. James Moss, Node 4
3. Wouter Syrandy IG Sigma Sport
4. Marcin Biaoblocki Node 4
5. Alex Peters Mosquito Bikes
8 Will Stephenson (Primera/ Specialized)

Will spoke to "E D" after the race:
"It was a really tough course, especially on Junior gearing. I stayed at the front of the race going with attacks on the hills. The winning break of 4 went on the first lap and stayed away with a lead of 2mins. I was constantly attacking on the hills trying to get a break going but nothing was working at first. With about 40miles to go we'd managed to break the field up and I was in a break of 12 chasing the now lead of 3. On the final lap there were a lot of attacks and I had to respond and also close down a lot of gaps. I could feel my legs going a little bit. On the finishing hill I didn't attack as there was a 400m flat at the top. In hindsight I wish I had. In the sprint I was pleased to get 8th place. I'm happy with the overall result an how I rode the race but I'm looking to improve for next time."

Stephenson in Good Form at Tour of Mendips

Will Stephenson (Primera/Specialized) was pleased with his 6th place at the Tour of the Mendips and was in the thick of the action. The Ringwood –based junior had a slow early season but is coming into form nicely.
“ The race was really tough and don't go the way I'd planned. My legs didn't feel great on the first day and I had to do a lot of work trying to bridge gaps and pull back breaks because I panicked too much when a group of 10 or so got a minute and a half lead. By the end of the stage I was completely knackered. At the start of stage 2 my legs were still feeling stiff. I managed to keep up and push on with the leaders on the hills though which eventually got me in a 6 man break with about 30km to go. Legs were pretty shot after a day of hard efforts so couldn't give much more on the final climb but managed to stick close to the others and not lose too much time. Jon Dibben, Dan Pearson and Alex Peters were all going strong. I was pleased to get 6th on GC @38s especially as my legs weren't going as well as they have been. Also an improvement on my 7th in the last junior national series race. A good weekends racing, bring on the next race!” Will later posted on Facebook “After getting up for races so early over the past tweo days , waking up for school seems like a lie in”
Next up for Stephenson is the Sandie Radford Memorial Road Race this weekend. He will also be riding the Raymond Brown Track league at the new Bournemouth Velodrome. The first point scoring event is on May 1st, the Bournemouth Cycling Centre is holding two “dress rehearsals” ahead of that, with the first one on Tuesday 17th at 18.00

GENERAL CLASSSIFICATION Tour of Mendips

1 Alex Peters Mosquito Bikes 00:00:00
2 Tao Geohegan-Hart Cycling Club Hackney 00:00:00
3 Sebastian Bayliss Mid Devon CC 00:00:15
4 Jonathan Dibben Hargroves Cycles-Specialised-Trant-Next-Elliott’s 00:00:28
5 Dan Pearson Wilier/Live 2 Ride 00:00:29
6 Will Stephenson Primera Specialized 00:00:38
7 Sam Lowe Hargroves Cycles-Specialised-Trant-Next-Elliott’s 00:02:24
8 Joe Kirkham Hargroves Cycles-Specialised-Trant-Next-Elliott’s 00:02:30
9 Owen James M&D Cycles/Kinetica RT 00:02:30
10 Dale McCallum Team Scotland 00:02:36
11 Jo Moses Sportscover Altura RT 00:02:44
12 Craig Wallace Granite City RT 00:02:47
13 Hugh Carthy Champion system / maxgear / kyklos 00:02:49
14 Alastair Hepworth Batley CC / Hargreaves Cycles 00:02:53
15 Felix Barker East Region Team 00:02:53
16 William Worrall M&D Cycles/Kinetica RT 00:02:55
17 Chris Lawless Champion system / maxgear / kyklos 00:02:59
18 Jake Kelly Team Microgaming Isle of Man 00:03:07
19 George Pym Exeter Wheelers 00:03:07
20 Jacob Scott Planet X 00:03:07
21 Jake Womersley Sportscover Altura RT 00:03:10
22 Olly Wood Sportscover Altura RT 00:03:12
23 James King Mountivation Development Academy 00:03:12
24 Matt Flynn Mountivation Development Academy 00:03:23
25 Ed Laverack Team Tredz 00:04:05
26 Christopher Latham Champion system / maxgear / kyklos 00:04:38
27 Scott Davies M&D Cycles/Kinetica RT 00:04:46
28 Rory Townsend Prestige Velo Club 00:05:33
29 Matthew Thompson Cardiff JIF/Cyclopaedia 00:06:08
30 Jack Plummer Cadence Cannondale 00:06:54
31 Joshua Ferguson WheelGuru RT 00:08:11
32 Ben Lamb Wilier/Live 2 Ride 00:09:27
33 Josh Knights Mountivation Development Academy 00:10:08
34 Cameron Balfour Team Scotland 00:10:10
35 Zachery May Cardiff JIF/Cyclopaedia 00:10:11
36 Josh Green Glenedene CC 00:10:40
37 Tom Arnstein Team Scotland 00:11:12
38 Adam Lewis Wolverhampton Wheelers 00:11:26
39 Ashley Proctor Sportscover Altura RT 00:09:21
40 Ashley Martin Cadence Cannondale 00:12:14
41 James Jobber East Region Team 00:13:20
42 Frazier Carr AW Cycles.co.uk 00:14:51
43 Stuart McCluskey Team Scotland 00:15:48
44 Owen Thomas M&D Cycles/Kinetica RT 00:16:48
45 Jordan Wade VC St Raphael/Waite Contracts/Paul Hewitt Cycles 00:16:48
46 Taylor Cardus Velo 29 00:20:40
47 James Newey Cadence Sport 00:23:13
48 Matthew Hargroves Hargroves Cycles-Specialised-Trant-Next-Elliott’s 00:23:22
49 Jacob Ragan Champion system / maxgear / kyklos 00:23:35
50 Samuel Williams NFTO Race 00:25:29
51 Henry Hunter Team Wallis-chh.com 00:26:13
52 Alex Haddock Team Microgaming Isle of Man 00:30:09
53 Joseph Crolla AW Cycles.co.uk 00:30:40
54 Dan Marshall Bristol Cycling Development Squad 00:30:40
55 Andy Shackel VC St Raphael/Waite Contracts/Paul Hewitt Cycles 00:31:08
56 Ashley Clitheroe Team Wallis-chh.com 00:32:56
57 Alan Trolove East Region Team 00:42:41
58 Luke Hattersley East Region Team 00:49:45
59 William Macke AW Cycles.co.uk 01:02:25
60 Adam Holt Team Tredz 01:10:15
61 Tim Ryan Cardiff JIF/Cyclopaedia 01:10:45
62 Harry Loader VO2 Development Team 01:31:30
63 Rhys Thomas Team Tredz 01:31:48

Junior Tour of the Mendips

Two local riders, Will Stephenson(Primera/Specialized) & Jordan Wade (VC ST Raphael/Waites Contracts) are riding the Junior Tour of the Mendips. Both Wade and Stephenson haver shown good form ahead this National Junior series race.

Dave Wade reports.....



"A dull chilly damp morning awaited two local riders, Will Stevenson (Primera/Specialized) and Jordan Wade ( VC St Raphael) at this year’s Junior Tour of the Mendips Race One. At 1000hrs, after a very brief briefing, the 80 Junior riders rolled out onto the Chew Stoke Lake course, flat in most places, several rolling up and downs and one hill of any significance, to do battle with each other. Quite a talented field set off that included Jonathon Dibben, a well-known British Cycling Squad member and a strong Hargroves Cycles Team.

After Lap One a brave rider in a bold move passed the start/finish line with a 45 second lead but by Lap two this rider was joined by another 8 riders meaning a group of nine had a healthy 1. 45sec lead. It was then that Jon Dibben recognised the danger of this group pulling away so he and another rider pulled away from the Peloton to try and make the gap which they managed at the end of Lap 3. At the beginning of Lap 4 Will Stevenson also must have sensed danger and he too accelerated away from the main group in an effort to close the gap on the leading group now totalling 11. At the end of Lap 4 onto Lap 5 Will Stevenson was back in the main group but somehow the Peloton had managed to reduce a 1.40sec gap to just 18 seconds, the reason for this we found out later was that the front 11 had crashed due to several riders coming together, take nothing away from Will though, he worked very hard to close the gap on the leading bunch. While all this was going on Jordan was safely tucked away in the main Peloton hanging in there.

By Lap 6, the lead group had just barely 15 secs up on the field and included Jon Dibben that we thought would pull away but coming to the end of Lap 6 onto lap seven the Peleton was almost one. Then approaching the Bell Lap the race changed, a group of 4 were away with a 15 sec lead over a second group of five with the Peloton a further 10 secs back. Now there was only 20 mins to the finish and reports came over the radio that 5 miles out the group of 5 and 4 had joined and were about 20 secs ahead of the main group. Jon Dibben was not part of this group nor Will or Jordan. Coming into the finish straight the front group had a clear lead over the Peloton and it was this nine (sorry, don’t know who they were but one was Joe Kirkham from Hargroves) who contested the sprint finish. (Seb Bayliss Mid-Devon CC) A further 20 secs or so back the main Peloton sprinted to the line in mass, too difficult to say who where and when placed where but Will and Jordan were in the main group.

Well, that’s Stage One over, the sprinters have had their day but tomorrow the climbers will have their revenge tackling a really difficult mountainous stage race that includes four UCI classed climbs."
Results to Come

1. Seb Bayliss (Mid Devon)
2. Ed Laverack (Team Tredz)
3. Scott Davies (M&D Cycles /Kinetica RT)

36th,Jordan Wade@23
44th,W Stephenson @23s

Stephenson Delivers Win for Primera/Specialized

Will Stephenson (Primera-Specialized) won his first E/I/2 race after a fine team performance at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth. The Easter Criterium was the first race this year to feature the whole four man Primera team and there was not a move they didn’t cover. Toby Neave escaped with the experienced Rowan Horner (VC ST Raphael/Waites Contracts) the pair stayed away for half the race but were eventually brought back. The final break went with 15 laps remaining and all four Primera men made the selection. 5 laps to go and Neave and Stephenson attacked, with Jason Eastwood and Ian Legg left marking the break it was race over. Neave set Stephenson up and the seventeen year old delivered. Tim Elverson (Pedal Heaven) took second ahead of Neave, whose job was done. Stephenson had been in action the day before at the famous Herne Hill Good Friday track meeting and next week rides the junior Tour of the Mendips.
1 Will Stephenson (Primera-Specialized)
2 Tim Elverson (Pedal Heaven) @ 6sec
3 Toby Neave (Primera-Specialized) @ same time
4 Rowan Horner (VC St Raphael) @ same time

All Photos by Graham Robins

Local Riders,Local Races

Photo, Graham Robins
Poole Wheelers promising junior, Harrison Fielding, won his first ever road race on the Thruxton circuit. The Corfe Mullen youngster has been racing on the track all winter and his fitness showed in the 17 mile race. A few riders had tried to escape the bunch but the race was altogether as they entered the last lap. Fielding was clearly the strongest and was happy to wait for the sprint finish which he won comfortably. “My race plan worked exactly how I wanted it to, coming out of the final chicane I was on the front and just put the hammer down” he said. The first year junior has a packed schedule, with races on the road and track every weekend through till August.

Gary Dighton (Poole Wheelers) triumphed in the “Round the Harbour” time trial. Dighton clocked a speedy, 1.02.57 for the 27 mile rolling course, giving him a winning margin of over two minutes on team mate Andy Buddle, (1.05.09). Paul Jones (BJW) is off form and had to settle for 3rd with 1.06.26.
1 Gary Dighton Poole Wheelers 1.2.57
2 Andy Buddle Poole Wheelers 1.5.09
3 Paul Jones Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 1.6.26
4 Adam Darcy Wykes VC St Raphael 1.8.57
5 Darren Lewis Poole Wheelers 1.9.31
6 Ivan Whitehead Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 1.10.32
7 Terry Icke Poole Wheelers 1.11.39
8 Martin Aldridge Poole Wheelers 1.13.01
9 Phil Evans Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 1.13.39
10 Duncan Keates Loughborough Students 1.15.17
11 Chris Courage Zoom 1.15.24
12 Anya Heijnen VO2 1.15.29
13 Tracy Best Poole Wheelers (Day) 1.16.50
14 Mike Courage Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 1.16.57
15 Terry Belbin Poole Wheelers 1.17.59
16 Phil Harvey Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 1.19.32
17 Pete Grounds Poole wheelers 1.22.37
18 Jon Terry Poole Wheelers 1.24.57
19 Pete Bowen Poole Wheelers 1.25.04
20 Les Jessop Poole Wheelers (Day) 1.29.22
21 Brian Wakley Wessex RC 1.39.13
22 John Burrows Poole wheelers 1.42.27

Meanwhile Julian Thacker (VC ST Raphael) finished a clear winner in the CC Weymouth 22 mile event on the Moreton circuit. Thacker recorded 54.02, a clear 2 minutes quicker than first-timer, Brian Keightley (56.03).

Matt Hill (UK Biking/Primera) did well to finish on the podium at the National XC mountain bike series in Nottingham. Racing in the sport category at the Sherwood Pines venue, Hill took second place after a close battle with Matt Gee (Metaltek). In the veterans race Mark Chadbourne (ridebike.co.uk) finished 4th, having been delayed with mechanical problems. Team mate Roland Tilley was also out of luck, finishing in 31st after crashing heavily on the opening lap.

Richard Horton (BJW) made a spectacular debut in Multi-Sport, winning the national junior Duathlon title in his first race. Horton finished in an impressive 3rd place in the Elite championships at Loughborough. Recording 54.27 for the 5krun-20km bike-5km run, Horton now looks certain to be selected for the European Championships. The talented Winton-Based cyclist has won several Road Races in the last few years but now intends to concentrate on Duathlon. As well as a new direction, Horton has a new team and will be racing for Primera this year.

Photos, Nigel Farrow


Bournemouth’s first track league kicks off on April 17th at the Ensbury Park Velodrome.

The first two weeks will be full on racing, allowing riders to “acclimatise” to the track but will not carry league points. Bournemouth Cycling Centre urge riders to pre-register for the Raymond Brown sponsored league, full details can be found on the website. www.bournemouth.cc
Bob Jolliffe (New Forest CC) Reports........
For the second time this season triathlete Gary Lock was unable to knock Andy Rivett from top spot in a New Forest Cycling Club time trial.Rivett (Velo Club St Raphael) won the club’s 10 a fortnight ago and followed up with victory in last Sunday’s 16 on the Brockenhurst-Beaulieu-Lyndhurst circuit with a time of 38-22 to beat Lock into second place by 40 seconds.Third place went to Southampton University Road Club’s Alex Clayton with 39-16 while New Forest CC’s current club champion John Heffernan clocked 39-47 for fourth.VC St Raphael’s Martin Beale, recovering from a chest infection which has stalled the start of his season, finished with 39-51 for fifth.Topham top againThe previous morning at Copythorne, Adam Topham (High Wycombe CC) took his second win in seven days with a rapid 20-53 in Sotonia CC’s open 10 to beat Harry Bulstrode (Contre La Montre) into the runner-up position again, despite Bulstrode bettering his own course record of 21-49 by 34 seconds.Third place went to Contre La Montre’s James Gilfillan with 21-35, clubmate Andy Bryson completed the winning team with 21-48 and Contre’s Julian Jenkinson was fifth in a time of 21-56.Other NFCC timesClub 16 – Colin Humm 40-03, Ben Boardman 40-41, Stuart Peckham 41-48, Chris Hughes 42-06, Steve Roberts 43-12,Rob Brinsden 44-44, Nick Williams 45-07, Gary Plumb 45-13, Konnor Bracher-Walsh 45-27, David Wilson 45-46, Richard Rajski 45-53, Phil Underwood 46-45, Chris Grant and Stuart Grace (GA Cycles) 47-31, Tom Smith (Soton Univ RC) 48-19, Chris Mills 53-44. Sotonia CC 10 – Nick Tattersall 26-46, Bob Jolliffe 29-45, Martin Balk 29-50.Join the chain gangClub coach Barry Wootton is starting the first of what he hopes will be regular chain gang rides from Thursday.
Over to Barry who says now the evenings are getting lighter and the training becomes more intense he wants to start the training rides on Thursday evenings, to slot in between Tuesday night time trials and weekend racing / long rides.
“The rides will involve a 15 minute warm up followed by an hour of group riding at speed. The rules of the chain gang are harsh but fair. If you’re dropped it is up to you to find your own way home, if you crash, are ill or have a serious mechanical the group will stop.“There are, however ways in which different abilities are catered for in a chain gang, the stronger riders will take longer turns at the front. Depending on the groups we have I would think that the training rides will be running at around 20mph and in a month or so towards 25mph. If numbers are high we will split into smaller groups so that we are not a hazard to other road users. In such cases we will try and match the fitness of riders as best as possible.“We have practiced this drill a number of times on the Saturday endurance rides and those who ride on the track are well experienced. I propose to run training rides on Thursday March 29 and Thursday, April 5. I would also appreciate riders who are experienced at riding in pace lines to join in and improve the quality of the group with their experience. On those two rides we will practice the drills for riding in single and double pace lines so that from April 12 we can ride hard. The first week I propose an 1830 start from Brockenhurst, the second 1845 and from April 12 onwards 1900. “These rides will require a high level of discipline so please read below what is expected of you. “What to bring:“Road bike. Riding on tri bars and being late on the brakes will not be appreciated by other riders. Remember you are responsible for your safety and those around you.“Tubes / pump / multi tool. If you puncture, hard luck. You are responsible for your own repairs. “Mobile phone. If you have a serious problem please call ride leader. If you drop off please text ride leader so we don’t have to turn back fearing the worst.“Lights / reflective clothing. We will be out near dusk on the early rides.“Money, some rides may finish at local pubs.“Drink / energy food.“Dos and Don’ts”
“Be aware that everything you do has a knock-on effect on everyone behind and beside you. If you brake out of turn this will have a concertina effect and disrupt the whole group.“Never half wheel. When you hit the front, keep the pace consistent, if climbing keep the effort consistent.“When you come through for your turn and move over to the recovering line, do so smoothly and close to the rider you are taking over from. Don’t leave them with a massive gap.“Don’t leave gaps. If you are struggling to close a gap, wave the rider behind you through.“Don’t nail yourself trying to do super-hard turns if the pace is above what you are capable of or you know you are tiring. If you start to get dropped, the group will have to slow down to look after you, or in some cases you will be dropped. Or you may be able to follow the group whilst you recover.“Show your respect for other cyclists and the drivers with whom we share the road. Remember we represent cycling in the New Forest and want to enhance the reputation of cyclists not hinder it.“If you need to spit, makes sure you’re at the back of the line.
Will Stephenson (Primera-Specialized)gives his view from the bunch at the Cadence Junior Road Race.

At the start it was crazy as in a junior race everyone wants to be at the front because there is a lot more attacking an harsher changes of speed than in a senior race. Everyone was jostling for position but I managed to get up there.
A break of 5 went early on and stayed away for the race gaining about 3mins at one point. At about half way 2 riders slipped of the front and got a gap. I and 2 others bridged up to them and worked well, catching the break which now had a lead of about a minute an a half.
Unfortunately going through a bend the rider in front suddenly veered wide and his skewer went in my front wheel, buckling it quite badly. I managed to slacken off the break to its widest and that was just enough for it not to rub.
After another lap or so another much larger group joined our lead group and it grew in size from about 12 to 30. With such a large group I stayed near the front, responding to attacks and going with them.
With a lap to go Tao went the off the front gaining a gap quickly. With a too large group only a few of us were putting effort into the chase, the rest just sat up and took it easy. Dibben went off the front and got another big gap. On the final hill I went early, following a few other riders. We got a gap and the remaining group were strung out behind. We were all racing for 4th now. It was a long drawn out drag race like sprint from a few hundred meters out. I managed to get 7th, not quite catching 6th although our wheels were overlapping on the line and I was gaining. I was pleased with my performance in the first national road series round, especially after a hard week. I am looking forward to the next one where I hopefully will be able to improve.

Entries are wanted for the EDCA 27km Time Trial on 15th April. Entries should go to Ros Spencer of Poole Wheelers (13 ALVERTON AVE, DORSET BH15 2QF) and not as listed in the CTT handbook. Bryce Dyer(VC ST Raphael) won last year, clocking 37.10. Closing date for the event on the Gallows Hill circuit is Tuesday 3rd April.

Local Riders,Local Races

Photo,Graham Robins

Toby Neave gave his new team, Primera-Specialized their first win of the season at the Mountbatten centre, Portsmouth. Neave made his move with four laps remaining in the senior race. The bunch hesitated and the Primera rider was clear, crossing the line alone. Neaves teammates Jason Eastwood & Will Stephenson both finished comfortably in the main field. Stephenson had ridden the BJW 20 tt the previous day, finishing 2nd.

Dave Gilham reports on the womens race.......The women’s race came down to a sprint finish and with 2 laps to go the pace went up substantially leaving 3 riders in contention for the sprint. The speed went even higher down the back straight on the final lap shedding Fran Blake (Southdown Velo / Hunter Spring Consultancy), leaving Nikki Wheeler (Wiggle) leading out the sprint with Ellie Gilham (VC ST Raphael/Waites Contracts) on her wheel. Ellie jumped coming into the home straight attacking Nikki on her outside quickly drawing level, then drawing on her track experience, used the height gained from the corner banking and came past Nikki to take the victory by a clear bike length and finished about 11th in the men’s sprint!.....Gilham has just come off a three week intensive training block,her next competitive outing is at the Thruxton motor racing circuit on Sunday 18th March.It will be her first opportunity to race with her VC St. Raphael racing team.
In the supporting men’s race Steve Moss (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) had to settle for second place behind Matt Hargroves (Hargroves Cycles). Harrison Fielding (Poole Wheelers) also took second place in the youth race.

Dave Pickering (BJW) won round 4 of the inter-club series. Pickering clocked 48.16 for the 20 mile two lap circuit at Furzehill. Will Stephenson (Primera-Specialized) 48.45 took second place, with Cliff Rowe (BJW), 50.16, third.

The following day on the Wareham –Gallows Hill 15 mile circuit, Gary Dighton (Poole Wheelers) won round 5. Several riders went off course but Dighton had no problems, recording 35.03. Tim Wallis (SUCC) 37.41 finished a distant second.

VELO Club St Raphael’s Andy Rivett was the only rider to better 25-mph in New Forest Cycling Club’s first 10-mile time trial of the season. Bob Jolliffe reports.......He was on the rivet right around the tough Holmsley-A35-Burley Lawn-Burley loop which this year was made even more difficult with a cyclo-cross element thrown in for good measure where a cattle grid is being replaced in Lyndhurst Road.Veteran club member Chris Gannaway took charge of the adjoining access gate to ensure livestock did not get onto the A35 while competitors took to the mud for a few yards.Despite the short delay, Rivett took full advantage of the sunny but cool conditions to clock 23-55.

His time was 29 seconds faster than those of New Forest CC’s Gary Lock and GA Cycles’ Ray Claridge who tied for second with 24-36.Sotonia CC’s Stuart Martingale was a further 24 seconds off the pace with 25-00 for fourth, while Rivett’s teammate Bryce Dyer took fifth with 25-20.There followed a trio of good times from NFCC riders with John Heffernan clocking 25-30, Ben Boardman 25-37 and Colin Humm 25-41.Women’s 25-mile competition record and multi-national champion Julia Shaw (Drag2Zero) followed up her winning ride in the recent Mersey Tunnel time trial with 26-09 for ninth place, while New Forest CC’s Stuart Ward made a welcome return after a broken wrist kept him out of competition last season with 26-15 for tenth.There was a record turn-out for the event, with 40 signed on and one non-starter.Other times (NFCC) unless stated: Peter Wilson (Bournemouth Arrow CC) 26-25, Chris Grant (private trial) 26-35, Chris Hughes 26-40, Stuart Peckham 26-42, Geri Robinson 26-52, Steve Roberts and Lee Hookem tied with 27-13, Rob Brinsden 27-32, James Bannister 27-50, Richard Mason 27-51, Ben Saunders 27-57, Gary Plumb 28-21, David Wilson 28-40, Richard Rajski 28-44, Phil Underwood 29-01, Nick Williams 29-06, Konner Bracher-Walsh 29-23, Mike Ahearn 29-31, Stuart Grace (GA Cycles) 29-44, Nigel Gemmell 30-22, Antony Moyle 30-26, Peter Weaver 31-21, Bob Jolliffe 31-35, Donna Shaw 32-23, Chris Mills 32-26, Peter Hawker 32-45, Nick Cooper 33-19, Martin Balk 34-34, Andrew Bunch 35-09.This Sunday’s (MARCH 18) event, the second in the Forest Aggregate Series is over 12.8 miles starting from Holmsley and taking in Brockenhurst and Rhinefield before returning south along the A35 to Holmsley. Event HQ is Goatspen car park and the start time 9.31am.

Mark Chadbourne (Ridebike.co.uk) reports on the Gorrick MTB series Rnd 3 at Crowthorne Woods in Berkshire.

A typical Gorrick course, with lots of fun, twisty singletrack with a few short sharp climbs to tire the legs. At first glance its not to tough, but if you race it, the constant accelerations out of the corners will take their toll by the end.
Liz Gilmour got her first win in the Masters women and looked very comfortable as she crossed the line. Stu King had a fantastic start that saw him leading at the end of the first lap with a small gap. However luck wasn’t on his side as he had a slow puncture and had no choice but to fix it. Stu was pleased to be back on his Top Fuel again and knows he is in shape. Mark Chadbourne had his first race back and spent it dicing with his main rivals from last year. Lacking that little bit of a racing edge he was content to watch the sprint unfold and rolled in for a satisfying 3rd. Steve Moors was sampling the Grand Vet racing for the first time this year. Finding he was very quick in the technical stuff but losing out on the fire roads meant that he was playing catch up. Despite this he recorded a great 2nd place and has the opportunity to take a look at his rivals for the season ahead. Other Locals in action included, Mark Hardwicke & Ash James (Bournemouth Arrow) & Garrett Hill & Ashley Sutton (UK Biking-Primera). The first round of the Southern series is this weekend at Checkendon,Kent

Parkstone cycle clothing specialists, Prendas Ciclismo are to continue their support for one of the country’s top women’s teams.

The Matrix Fitness-Prendas Ciclismo team includes Great Britain Olympic hopefuls, Dani King and Jo Rowsell and has a full programme of national and European races. The average age of the team is just 20 with former British Champion Chris Walkers daughter, Jessie, the youngest at just 17. Mick Tarrant of Prendas said: “They all make great role models for other girls looking to get into the sport, they don’t get supported like the guys do, so it’s great for Prendas to put something back into the sport” (HARGROVES CYCLES have announced they will also be sponsoring the team this season)

Will Stephenson Looks to the Future

After progressing from a Youth rider to 1st Cat in just one season, Will Stephenson took the opportunity to assess his current condition, to plan the winter training programme. Will is already getting the "miles in" and is a regular with the Bear Cross group on Sunday mornings. The hills of Dorset in the winter can test the legs but Will is a strong climber and just gets on with the hard work.

Coach Alan McRae said "The Power Ramp Test confirmed where the results this season came from in terms of excellent top end power and power to weight data. The most important knowledge gain however came from the Body Composition and Sub Maximal Tests which highlighted some opportunities needing specific development. For Will to fullfill his true potential and meet his long term goals it was vital to put the foot on the ball for a minute and check all the basics are in place. We have a follow up test planned prior to the start of the season so we can monitor progress in the highlighted areas".

"Will is riding for a "Primera" team next season, he feels that he needs to ride in a "team" which is something the Arrow are unable to offer at this time. His 2012 targets are the National Junior Road Series, Road and Track Championships. However it is his longer term aims as a Senior on the road that are shaping his winter programme. I wanted to investigate some particular areas of Will's physiology and, after carrying out some research, selected Dr Gary Palmer who runs his Sportstest programme from Le Beau Velo in London. Here a whole range of bespoke services are offered which are not cheap but I believe are some of the very best on offer in the country. Gary's background in exercise physiology and knowledge gained from hundreds of tests is invaluable when interpreting the data".

Stephenson will be riding for the soon to be launched, Primera-Specialized Team. Its a logical step for the talented youngster but McRae is understandably protective of the rider he has coached since a juvenile."My hope is to keep a hugely talented athlete on track, it is now down to Will to deliver". The reality is, Stephenson could not find the "team dynamic" he needs to learn his trade with any of the local clubs.The Primera team will consist of only 4 riders, so Stephenson will still be somewhat isolated in some of the Junior races. The full race programme has yet to be decided but Will will get the opportunity to be team leader in the tougher,hilly races.

"The winter is going ok at the moment" Stephenson told "E D", he went on "the test outlined a lot of things which I need to work on for next year. Hopefully over the winter I will be able to improve them. Areas of things I thought were my strengths have been highlighted as areas which need a lot of work. At first this was a little demoralising but like Alan said if I got the results I did last year, if I can improve on my weaknesses further, then next year should be even better. I am looking forward to next year loads,riding for Primera Specialized, except I'm conscious that I need enough time over the winter to prepare for it".

The learning curve will undoubtedly get steeper for Stephenson but he has good support, a coach who has invested in him and natural talent. He could go far!

*Team Primera-Specialized will be launched soon. The 4 man team,Jason Eastwood,Toby Neave,Ian Legg and Will Stephenson will be targeting mainly races in the South, including the season opener,The Perfs Pedal Race in February!