Headwinds and hard work at the Lea Valley Circuit Series.

On Saturday 19th April, the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team lined up for what, at first glance, would be just another circuit race at the familiar Ford testing track at Dunton. However, after closer inspection of the junior riders in their races struggling and straining against a vicious headwind on the finishing straight, it became clear that the Lea Valley Circuit Race was going to be a bit of a battle against the elements.

Ian Franklin, Dan Patten and James Whatling were racing today and thankfully, for the first time this season, it looked like the rain was going to hold off, as a good sized field was led off by James Jackson (Plowman Craven RT) and his signature early attack. As James hit the wind though he realised the error of his ways and slipped back into the bunch, wisely saving his energy for later, but this would be by no means the only attack of the race, with many riders trying their luck and their legs.

As ever, the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team were very visible in the bunch with all three of them active in the early moves of the race and, when Dan Patten pulled away with a couple of other riders, Ian and James busied themselves to ensure the move stayed away. A few more riders including Steven Griffiths (Glendene/Bike Trax), Adam Norris (Heron Cyclesport) and Gianluca Cappello (VC Meundon) slipped away and bridged up to the leading group, forming what looked like a strong working group in the blustery conditions. Unfortunately for the group, one of the riders deemed it unnecessary to co-operate and let a wheel go, allowing Dan, James Jackson and Werner Otto (Finchley RT) to escape on their own.

After ensuring that Dan was safe and going to stay away, James Whatling attacked hard and, taking Stephen Saunders (Maldon CC) with him, set about trying to catch the chase group. Although James and Stephen worked well together and managed to get within 100 metres of the group, the strength of the wind, and the fact that two riders versus five was always going to be a tough task, meant that the capture was never quite made.

Up ahead, the leading group with Dan Patten worked well and had gained almost a lap at the bell. On the final corner, James Jackson pulled over, not wanting to lead it out and Dan following suit, knowing James' strength in the sprint. Werner Otto, not realising the cat and mouse game behind him, just continued to ride and soon had almost 100 metres gap. Forced to pull him back, Dan had to drive hard and, as soon as he had pulled Otto back, Jackson jumped and sprinted for the win. Dan just missed out in the sprint for second but had to accept that circumstances were against him with such a fast sprinter in the group.

James Whatling and Stephen Saunders (Maldon CC) stayed away from the main bunch and James took the sprint for 9th, with Kevin Barker taking the bunch sprint from Ian Franklin, who finished 12th after working hard for the team.

It was another strong team performance from the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team and showed that the team's form is building nicely for the races to come.

Results:

1.) James Jackson: Plowman Craven RT
2.) Werner Otto: Finchley RT
3.) Daniel Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
4.) Dominic Schils: Lotto Olympia Team Interbike
5.) Steven Griffiths: Glendene CC/Bike Trax

9.) James Whatling: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
12.) Ian Franklin: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT