Kogan wins the Ed Taylor Memorial!

Daniel Kogan produced a fantastic virtuoso performance to secure his, and the team's, first win of the season in atrocious conditions at the Ed Taylor Memorial Road Race at Thurlow on Sunday 16th March.

The PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team fielded Daniel Kogan and Ian Franklin in what is considered an early season classic in the Eastern Counties and, with both riders showing good form in the lead up to the race, confidence was high that the team could secure a good result. The weather decided that any rider that wanted to be victorious in this race would have to battle the elements as well as the course, as the wind blew and the rain fell hard.

With primes every lap and good prize money on offer, the race exploded as soon as the lead car pulled away. Ian Franklin took to the front, driving hard and stringing out the field, with Daniel sitting not far behind, ready to attack. Kicking hard up the first of the circuit's two hills, Daniel managed to take around half a dozen riders with him and they soon opened up a gap.

Keen to get as many primes as possible, Daniel showed his talent for the climbs and rode strongly up the finishing climb to take the points and split the lead group to just him, Digby Symons (Cambridge CC) and Joe Skipper (VC Revolution). These three rode well together for another few laps and increased the gap to just under two minutes, whilst Ian policed the bunch behind to ensure his team mate stayed away. Four laps into the race and Digby Symons' race was over. Whilst riding flat out around a sharp left corner Digby collided with a car which shouldn't have been on the course, putting himself out of the race and into hospital. (Digby has since been diagnosed with a broken collar bone and we wish him well for a speedy recovery). Not having seen the collision, Daniel struck out on his own for the remaining 25 miles with a minute and a half gap to a hard riding chase group of fifteen riders. In full time trial mode, Daniel drove through the wind and the rain, taking the primes as he went and managed to hold off the chase group for his, and the team's, first win of the season. Ian, having worked hard to defend Dan's lead, showed his strength by finishing 14th, another fine performance for the team.

All in all it was a successful day at the Ed Taylor Memorial for the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team with a win, all but one of the primes, a King of the Mountains Prize and a top fifteen placing. Roll on the Surrey League Easter 3 day!

Results:
1.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
2.) Carl Dyson: www.cyclingbargains.com RT
3.) Sean Kilroy: Glade CC
4.) James Cloeman: Witham Wheelers
5.) Will Hedden: Glade CC

14.) Ian Franklin: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT

Thanks to Mark Cozens for the pictures: www.mphotography.co.uk