The PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team raced in their first UCI International event at The East Midlands International Cicle Classic on Sunday 27th April and signalled their intentions to grow as a team and to be able to mix it with the some of the best teams in the world. Not fazed by the quality of the field, in what would be the largest and most prestigious race any of the team members had ever competed in, everyone in the team dug deep and produced fantastic performances, topped off by a sparkling display by Dan Patten.The East Midlands International Cicle Classic is one of the finest events promoted in the UK. Run over the tough rolling roads and narrow farm tracks of Rutland, this race it truly a classic and one that obviously captures the imaginations of riders and spectators alike, as the villages and towns along the route are packed with people cheering and creating a wonderful atmosphere. Thankfully the predicted rain didn't materialise and the field of 180 riders set off from Oakham on a warm day with 100 miles of racing ahead of them.
Unsure of each other and the camera motor bikes to begin with, it was a nervous field to begin with as the race took in the first of two laps around Rutland Water. With roundabouts and street furniture everywhere, the bunch was a pretty scary place to be and, after a few squeaky brake moments, someone touched a wheel on a 30 mph stretch of road and 20 riders went down. Unluckily for him and the team, Ian Franklin was one of them, but thankfully he escaped with scrapes and bruises. Not wanting to stop there, Ian dusted himself down, remounted and chased, with blood from a cut finger turning his bar tape red. He bravely made it to the back of the bunch just as they hit one of the climbs but, weakened by the fall and the chase, was dropped again and decided it was not to be today. He may have been disappointed with the outcome of his race but with his strength and speed, Ian has a lot of potential in races like this and will have many other chances in the years to come.
Martin Bryant was caught up behind the crash and, after picking his way through the bodies and bikes, set about reeling in the peloton, riding hard to make it back on. After that effort, crashes on the narrow roads and the first King of the Mountains climb didn't help his cause, splitting the field and leaving him with too much work to do to carry on. Martin had worked hard for this race, coming off a week's training in Majorca but, although he was unlucky today, the race will stand him good stead for the races to come.
Daniel Kogan and James Whatling, were riding strongly around Rutland Water and maintained their good positions in the bunch through Oakham before slipping back just a little too far as the race entered the narrow roads. Held up by the huge field and various small crashes, the pair were always chasing and finally lost contact with the bunch just after the first ascent of the Somerberg. Both Daniel and James found themselves in a tired, but hard working group, and they did their best to make contact with the large group just a short distance up the road. With about 10 kilometres to go it looked like their group would make the junction, but the interference of a team car put paid to that and James and Daniel rolled in together, outside the time cut but pleased to have finished this epic of a race. For a rider in only his first season as a senior, Daniel Kogan is on a steep learning curve but once again acquitted himself well, despite not always feeling comfortable on the sections of unmade roads. Through experiences like this at the Rutland-Melton Classic, Daniel's confidence is growing and this strong, tenacious rider will be a man to watch in the races to come.
Never one to be overawed by the occasion or the opposition, Dan Patten rode at the front of the huge peloton from the start and gave one of the best performances of the race, making the early break and then mixing it with riders such as Jan Bos (Ruiter DakkappelIen), eventual winner Ciaran Page and Irish National Champion David O'Loughlin (both Pezula RT) for 100 km. Perhaps only a missed feed prevented Dan from being there in the finale but he can feel very proud of himself, gaining masses of experience and a lot of positive coverage for himself and the team along the way.
Dan takes up the story, "I followed a little dig with a Plowman Craven RT rider along first stretch of road just to test it out, although it came to nothing. As we rode alongside the reservoir a small group of riders got clear including Ryan Connor (Pezula RT), Kevin Van den Eekkhout (Profel-Prorace) and Jan Bos (Ruiter DakkappeIlen). I was riding close to the front, trying to stay out of trouble and watching some of the contenders but a couple of kilometres later i decided to give it a little dig off the front and after taking a look back saw i was away, joined by Sierd Steigenga (Ruiter DakkappeIlen), Matej Vysna (Dukla Merida), and Matt Jennings (East Midlands Development). Working hard we soon found ourselves with 30 seconds or so over the peleton, but were still 50 seconds off the leading three. It took a whole lap to get onto the lead three, and as we approached the end of the second lap it looked as though it may have been all over with the peleton within 30 seconds
of us.
Not long after we were joined by Keiran Page, David O’Loughlin and Ciaran Power (All Pezula RT) and this added strength seemed to help us maintain the gap on the bunch. Back into Oakham for the first sprint and the crowds had come out en mass and as we passed through the busy streets the pace really hotted up and the gap on the peloton began to grow. Through the first couple of offroad sections the break stayed together, with Matt Jennings being the first to drop back on the first Owston Manor section. I ploughed on, but having not taken a bottle during the feed began to suffer as the Pezula riders
began to attack. I didnt have enough in the tank to go with them as it split. David O'Loughlin was the first to go, with about 50km to go, and the Pezula riders showed their class by allowing the gap to open and then bridging over, forming a strong quartet of O'Loughlin, Ciaran Power, Kieran Page (All Pezula RT) and Jan Bos (Ruiter DakkappeIlen).
I was glad to get to the next feed and take on some much needed bottles and it was on the ascent of Burrough on the Hill that i was joined by the chase group of about 30 riders containing the main British contenders. Riders were also being shelled out of this group one by one as the race took its toll.
As i recovered i found myself in a second chase group, which is where i remained for the rest of the race, finally starting to feel better again with 20 kilometres to go. As we hit the final descent back into Melton Mowbray riders began fighting for the best position to take the final right hander and the sprint for the line.......to a well needed Mars drink!"
The team enjoyed fantastic success at their first outing at the The East Midlands International Cicle Classic and will take everything that they have learned there into some of the big races to come. Dan Patten rode the race of the day and for a rider in only his third full season racing, to be making moves with seasoned professionals and National Champions says a great deal about his strength and his potential in the years to come. The PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team all performed well and will be back to do the same next year.
Results:
1.) Ciaran Power: Pezula (IRL)
2.) Jan Bos: Ruiter Dak Kappellen (NED)
3.) Malcolm Elliot: Pinarello RT (GBr)
4.) Michael Berling Glud & Marstrand Horsens (DEN)
5.) Russell Downing: Pinarello RT (GBr)
6.) David O'Loughlin: Pezula (IRL)
7.) Rob Hayles: Felt Racing/Planet X/Halfords Mixed (GBr)
8.) Tobyn Horton: Mixed Team (GBr)
9.) Ian Wilkinson: Science in Sport (GBr)
10.) Roman Bronis: Dukla Merida Tren. (SVK)
37.) Dan Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
83.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
84.) James Whatling: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
Thanks to Larry Hickmott/British Cycling for the pictures: www.britishcycling.org.uk
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