Patten breaks into the big time at Pendle

Author: Dan Patten

I arrived in Pendle the day before the race and an afternoon and evening of heavy rain before the Tour of Pendle did not bode well for the next days racing. However, come the morning of the race it was dry, but very windy but it wasn't to remain dry for long though, as throughout the race there was a succession of heavy showers battering down on the riders.

Like the East Yorkshire Classic, the early pace was high and any bids for freedom were soon brought back. This was to stay that way until a little under half distance, when the decisive move came togther. Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport), Ben Greenwood (Rapha-Condor-Recycling) and Tom Murray (Pinarello RT) were just up the road when myself, Kit Gilham (Kinesis UK) and Will Bjergfelt (Felt Racing) bridged across and were soon joined by Rob Hayles (Halfords Bikehut) and Graham Briggs (Rapha-Condor-Recycling). We soon worked up a good gap and it looked like this could well be the winning move.

Rob Hayles continued to apply the pressure on the descents and it was on the long descent before going onto the finishing circuit that he made his race winning move. The group were still working hard at the front as there was a strong chasing group within a minute, when Hayles attacked from behind, catching us by surprise and making it impossible to get back onto him as he time trialled his way to victory over the last 8km or so of the course.

As we moved onto the finishing circuit, we were soon joined by Russ Downing (Pinarello RT) who had jumped away from the chase group. He attacked on the climb of the finishing circuit taking Greenwood and Bjergfelt with him. This split the group completely and I jumped across, sensing that the group would not reform again before the finish and made it Just as we went onto the descent. Everyone was playing it cautiously up the final rise until Downing attacked soon after the top. Greenwood was next to go and perhaps I jumped a little late as I never quite made it up to them and finished in 4th place. Will Bjergfelt followed me to take 5th, with the other breakway riders following soon after.

Result:
1.) Robert Hayles: Team Halfords Bikehut
2.) Russ Downing: Pinarello R.T.
3.) Ben Greenwood: Rapha-Condor /Recycling.co.uk
4.) Daniel Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
5.) Will Bjerfelt: Felt Racing

The team finish as they started at Dunton

Author: Dan Patten

The 7th August was the final race of Team Economic Energy's summer series at Ford's Dunton test track and possibly the final race at Dunton, with Hog Hill nearing completion and the team wanted to round off the series with another good result.

Always on the offensive, it was a strong showing by the team with one attack after the other throughout the race. However, the bunch were in negative mood tonight and seemed intent on taking it to the finish as a sprint, with Heron Cyclesport working especially hard to set up the win for Adam Norris.

James Whatling gave it one last dig to try to pull away on the final lap but, as he was again closed down by Andy Lyons (Heron Cyclesport) it was clear that the final race would end in a bunch sprint. Adam Norris did his job well and took the win from Dominique Gabellini (Rapha-Condor-Recycling) with myself in third. Ian Franklin came in 7th, Martin Bryant 15th, Dan Kogan 18th with James Whatling rounding out the top 20 after his last lap effort.

Result:

1.) Adam Norris: Heron Cyclesport
2.) Dominique Gabellini: Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk
3.) Daniel Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
4.) David Bagdan: Glendene CC / Bike Trax
5.) Trevor Burke: Finchley Racing Team

7.) Ian Franklin: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
15.) Martin Bryant: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

The Dans take on the Belgians

Author: Dan Patten

The the 6th August saw me and Daniel Kogan racing togther again, this time in Belgium at the Lokeren Kermesse. This circuit had many sections of pave which saw a huge split in the bunch on the first lap, with 20 or so riders going off the front.

For the rest of the race it was a case of chasing down and trying to catch these riders and I attacked a few times going over a section of pave that led through to the finish line, which helped to split the bunch and get a bit of a chase group going. Not a fan of the cobbles, unfortunately, Daniel Kogan didn't make the split.

Even this chase group was getting whittled down and, as we got further into the race, we started pulling riders back who were in the early break. As we neared the finish the sprint for the line began over the final section of cobbles. I ended up placing 13th, finding out later that we had caught a lot of the riders that were away and the winner was less than a minute up the road come the finish, so what seemed like a race that was all over once such a big move had gone so early, was clearly not come the later part of the race.

Result:

1.) Guy Smet
2.) Adam Gawlik
3.) Bart Heirewegh
4.) Kurt Eeckhout
5.) Jurgen De Deyn

13.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

The Dans work hard at the East Yorkshire Classic

Author: Dan Patten

The weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of August saw Daniel Kogan and I travel up to Beverley in East Yorkshire for the National Crit Champs and then the East Yorkshire Classic on the Sunday. It was always going to be a hard race but the first hour was especially tough, with many attacks but nothing really sticking. I went with a lot of moves that on another day may well have gone away but it wasn’t to be today.

When the decisive break did come myself and Dan Kogan were not in the position to get in it. The breakaway contained the likes of Russell Downing (Pinarello RT) and Dean Downing (Rapha-Condor-Recycling) and although the firepower was there to pull away, they remained dangling within a minute for some time, before the bunch finally stopped chasing. Throughout the rest of the race the bunch whittled down as the course and the early pace took its toll on riders.

Attacks out of the bunch came (including some from myself) to try and get away in another chase group, but it wasn’t to be. Still trying to get something out of the race, me and Dan Kogan hit the front and, with the help of one or two other riders, kept a strong pace as we headed back towards Beverley to try and pull the break back. What must have been 25km from the end I had a problem as my rear gear cable snapped and I was left with only the 53 or 39x12 for the remainder of the race.

Onto the two laps of the finishing circuit around Beverley and, as the crowds came out, the attacks started as riders tried to get away from the bunch. Into the last few kilometres and there was a decisve split in the bunch and I was there still in my 53x12. Unfortunately, Dan Kogan, missed the split and settled in with the second part of the bunch. As we came out of the final bend I began to pick off a few riders as I eventually got up to speed, but only enough to place 22nd. A good showing but disappointing result. Daniel Kogan finished soon after in 42nd.

Result:
1.) Russell Downing: Pinarello Racing Team
2.) Kristian House: Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk
3.) Dean Downing: Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk
4.) Robin Sharman: Sigma Sport, Specialized, Sportful
5.) Marcin Bialoblocki: Sport Beans - Wilier

22.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
42.) Daniel Kogan: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

Thanks to Larry Hickmott/British Cycling: www.britishcycling.org.uk for the photos

Patten shines at the National Crit Champs

Author: Dan Patten

I might have dived in at the the deep end, but my first experience of racing an Elite Crit was the National Crit Champs. On what was a nice summer evening in Beverley, and with a good crowd watching, the atmosphere was good and I couldn't wait to start racing.

The speed was high from the start and dominated by the big teams. I rode most of the race at the rear of the lined out bunch watching riders go out the back as they were no longer able to keep up. I managed to avoid the crashes, including one in the closing stages which meant I had to work extra hard going into the finishing straight. As race reached the finale, I moved up in the closing laps to take 17th. This was a pretty respectable result for my first elite crit, but one i will definitely be looking to improve on a little later in the season. The race was won by Dean Downing (Rapha-Condor Recycling) who rode superbly to hang on to the win ahead of Rob Hayles (Halfords-Bikehut) and Tony Gibb (Plowman Craven RT).

Result:

1.) Dean Downing: Rapha-Condor-Recycling
2.) Robert Hayles: Team Halfords Bikehut
3.) Anthony Gibb: Plowman Craven Racing Team
4.) Peter Williams: Pinarello Racing Team
5.) Ian Wilkinson: Science In Sport - Trek

17.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

Thanks to Larry Hickmott/British Cycling: www.britishcycling.org.uk for the photo

Dan Patten breaks the top 10 in Belgium!

Author: Dan Patten

Ingelmunster 1.12B Kermesse

In a race dominated by the WC Soenens-Germond Ingelmunster, who were racing in their home town, we were always going to be up against it and, from the start, the home team constantly put riders up the road. I managed to get away quite early on in a chase group and we pulled it back together. A lead group had now formed with about 20 or so riders and it wasn’t long before the Soenens team attacked again to try and split things up. This time three of their riders managed to break clear and were only joined by Logan Hutchings of Beveren 2000.

Myself and Dan Kogan remained in the second group before I attacked with a little over a lap remaining. After a few kilometres of effort I saw another rider coming across to me, and yes, you've guessed it, he also happened to ride for the Soenens team! Thankfully he was willing to work and we rode strongly together to stay out ahead of the next group and I placed 6th…my best result in Belgium so far! Dan Kogan was to come in a little later placing 24th.

Result:
1.) Joeri Clauwaert
2.) Clinton Avery
3.) Stijn Nauwynck
4.) Logan Hutchings
5.) Alexander Chamon
6.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

The team shows it's strength at Dunton again.

Author: Dan Patten

With only James Whatling missing from the startline, it was a strong team lining up for the 5th of Team Economic Energy's Circuit Series at Dunton on 24th July, and with attacks from the start it wasn’t too long into the race before I was away.

Soon joined by Billy-Joe Whenman (Wilier-Sport Beans) and Andy Lyons (Heron Cyclesport) and the three of us worked to establish a good gap over the field. Billy-Joe and myself began attacking about 5 or so laps from the end but neither of us were able to drop the other. After messing about for the last lap we were joined by Daniel Kogan and Steve Skuse (Wildside RT). Daniel was unlucky enough to have snapped his gear cable but, despite only having the option of 39/12 or 53/12, he showed his strength by digging deep and bridging up to our leading group. Billy-Joe, however, was not to be denied as he made the jump in what was a short sprint to the line to take the win. I just missed out on the win but took second place with Andy Lyons coming in third.

Martin Bryant and Ian Franklin also finished well, taking 10th and 13th respectively.

Result:

1.) Billy-Joe Whenman: Wilier-Sport Beans
2.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
3.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
4.) Stephen Skuse: Wildside RT
5.) Daniel Kogan: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

10.) Martin Bryant:Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
13.) Ian Franklin: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

The Redbridge Road Race

At the Redbridge Road Race, the Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac squad field two of their riders, that being Ian Franklin and Martin Bryant. The race consisted of a 10 mile circuit which had to be completed 7 times before the finish and had an overall climbing height of 560m, over the 7 laps.

The race got underway from the word go with attacks flying left, right and centre. Ian was fast on the heels of the attackers in the chance that one of these early moves might stick, but no such luck came Ian’s way as the bunch weren’t keen on letting anything go. The first three laps carried on in a similar fashion to the first with an average speed of 27mph! Whilst Ian and Martin were hanging back to recover from the earlier attacks a move went up the road and by the time anything could be done it was gone. Ian and Martin worked with some of the other riders still left in the bunch to try and bring it back but when only 6 riders were trying to pull back the break with 50 riders tagging on their wheels the chase was short lived and the break stayed away, 9 men strong.

In the closing laps of the race 2 of the escapees came back to bunch making it 7 up the road, and therefore a sprint for 8th place. On the last lap Ian knew his only chances of a result were going to be in the bunch gallop after trying so hard earlier on in the race. With this knowledge Martin Bryant took to the front and kept things together for the finish. The bunch were led in by Marco Copolla (Gemini CC) at a very fast pace, Ian sitting in about 20th wheel was a bit too far back so had to go early to make up the places in the Gallop. Ian finished 5th in the bunch sprint to take 12th place and Martin, having done his important role, rolled in with the bunch.

Results:
1.) Digby Symons: Cambridge CC
2.) James Ward: Cambridge CC
3.) Joe Skipper: Lotto Olympia Team Interbike
4.) Shaun Aldous: Lotto Olympia Team Interbike
5.) Mark Jervis: Python RT

12.) Ian Franklin: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

Dan Kogan's Belgium dispatches...

With little in the way of racing at the moment, Daniel Kogan travelled over to Belgium on 14th July in search of some hard racing and he wasn’t disappointed! Staying for a week, the plan was to do three elite/under 23 races.

Monday saw the first race and Kogan’s first senior Belgium race. After racing as a junior there last year, he knew it was going to be flat and hard racing. A 3pm start and 75 riders lined up for the 120km race over 22 5km flat and twisting laps with high winds and a 500 metre section of cobbles. The race went off as usual at a ferocious pace and, with the bunch lined out, positioning was key as riders were continuously being fired off the back due to the unrelenting speed. Sitting too far back and with the roads making it hard to move up, Dan was playing a dangerous game. The warm weather was also taking its toll as picking up bottles when the bunch was lined out at 35mph proved tricky. With three laps to go, dehydration and the constant kicking out of corners had finally caused a split and unfortunately Dan was on the wrong side of it! Coming into two laps to go Dan was in a small group just off the back of what was left of the bunch. Through the finish again and his group were pulled out. Disappointed he may have been but Dan knew his positioning was to blame and although his first senior race was a shock to the system, he came away with a 37th place, a little prize money and a lot of valuable experience.

On Wednesday Dan headed over the other side of Belgium near to Blauberg where another 120km race greeted the riders. A later start meant 135 riders signed on. The circuit was much more suited to Dan as it was a 15km lap with a few drags. Keen to improve on Monday's result, as soon as the flag dropped Dan moved into the top 15 of the bunch and attacked up the main drag taking four other riders away with him. These included Guy Smet, one of the most successful amateur Belgians around with 40 wins last season, a Continental Pro in the form of British rider Matt Brammier and a guy from the Predictor Lotto feeder team. Riding hard, Kogan felt strong yet the break was short lived and soon everyone was back in the fold. Avoiding some big crashes in the group Dan stayed near the front yet somehow missed the winning break. It wasn’t to be today as soon the break had built up a healthy lead and it looked like the bunch was going to have a 100 plus rider sprint to the line. Not keen on mixing it up in the sprint and after trying the whole race to get away, Dan sat up and rolled in 64th. Although not the result he wanted, Dan was happy with the strength he had and the experience gained.

Friday came, and the final race of the week was to be the hardest. 110 riders lined up in Ingelmunster for the 118km race, which saw riders from the USA National team, the Rabobank under 23 team and Quickstep feeder team take the start. With lots of road furniture, tight corners and open roads it was going to be tough and sure enough, as soon as the flag dropped the pace rocketed as riders grappled for wheels. With a prime every lap it was bound to be fast but no one could imagine it would be that fast! Coming into the last lap and after two and quarter-hours of chewing the bars groups of riders were everywhere. Dan, still in what was left of the bunch, saw a USA national team rider attack and seeing his chance Dan went across and joined him. Soon five riders were away and working well together. Coming into 2km to go Dan knowing his sprint was not good attacked his group and created a small gap but it wasn’t to be today and, with 100 metres to go, his group were on him again. Coming across the line Dan claimed 43rd place out of 110 riders. With an average speed of just over 28mph Dan knew he had been in a race!