Long break for Dan Patten as the team shine at the Rutland-Melton Classic

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

Patten so close at the Twickenham CC Road Race.

Looking to capitalise on his fine form at the moment, Dan Patten competed in the Twickenham CC Road Race on Sunday 20th April and was so close to taking the win, undone by a less than accurate finishing line marker.

Originally scheduled for 50 miles, Dan arrived on the start line to find out that the race was now 13 laps of the circuit (90 miles) and the increased distance meant that this was Dan's longest race of the season so far.

The racing got going straight away with Dan, Billy Joe Whenman (Wilier/Sports Beans), Toby Meadows (Team Corridori), Ben White (Bike and Run), Mark Daly (Wildside RT) and James Jackson (Plowman Craven) all very active from the off. Despite a couple of early breaks gaining almost a minute, there was never any real danger of the race splitting up, with the strength of the bunch on the fast course keeping everyone together in the early stages. Billy Joe Whenman and Ben White fell victims to punctures, and victims to the organiser's lack of a neutral service car, and two riders that would have made an impact on the race had to make their own way back to the HQ.

When the early breaks were pulled back the big moves started going off, one in particular containing Colin Roshier (Team Quest) and Kevin Chambers (API-Metrow) and another half a dozen or so other riders but, sensing the danger, Dan worked hard to get across to them only for the bunch to reel them back in once more. Not long after this, the decisive break of the day happened containing about 14 riders including Dan, Kevin Chambers, Mark Daly, Toby Meadows and a number of riders from London Dynamo and other teams. With a large number of riders and many not willing to work, it was very unorganised and despite gaining a lead of about two minutes, this kept fluctuating and approaching the last two laps, the gap had dropped to 40 seconds and the break looked in danger of being pulled back in the finale.

Onto the last lap and the break was still messy with riders not wanting to co-operate. Dan made his move with a almost a lap to go and managed to distance himself from the break for about a kilometre until hard work from Toby Meadows pulled him back. The final lap was a story of attack and counter attack, with Mark Daly very active in trying to escape but as the riders came into the last kilometre the sprint beckoned but, after what had been a longer race than expected, there were plenty of tired legs in the break.

As the riders turned right and hit the finishing climb Dan found himself a little boxed in but made his way up the inside (and having read the 400 metres to go sign some way back), he thought he was in perfect position, second wheel behind Toby Meadows, only to get to the top and see the line still 200m away! Andy Betts (Twickenham CC) passed Dan to take the win followed by Lewis Atkins (Agiskoviner) and Mark Daly. In the last 50 metres Dan dug in again and got back onto the wheels of Daly and Atkins but just ran out of time to edge them and it took a photo finish for second place to separate them, with MArk Daly taking second from Lewis Atkins, with Dan in fourth place.

A slightly more accurate finish marker might have helped Dan's cause, but he once again showed his strength in a long race and proved that his sprint is much improving, all positive signs for the what is a very important few weeks for the team.

Results.

1.) Andy Betts: Twickenham CC
2.) Mark Daly: Wildside RT
3.) Lewis Atkins: Agiskoviner
4.) Dan Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
5.) Toby Meadows: Team Corridori

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

Dan Patten caps fantastic weekend at the Thames Velo Spring Road Race.

Following his win on Saturday at Dunton, Dan travelled up to Oxfordshire for the Thames Velo Spring RR and was met with a stellar field which included full strength Sigma Sport, Sports Beans and Team Corley Cycles teams, as well as quality riders such as Rob Hayles (Halfords/Bikehut) and rising star Pete Williams (Pinarello RT). Even though he was riding without the team today, Dan wasn’t fazed by the quality of the opposition or the speed of the race (the average speed was 42km/hr!) and followed the wheels of the strong teams, making sure he was in the right moves.

The speed of the race, the terrible weather and the power of the teams in the race meant that, although there were many attacks, the breakaways were always reeled back in and, on the final lap, it looked like a bunch sprint was the order of the day. In a last gasp attempt to get away, a move went along the back of the circuit containing Grant Bayton (Sports Beans/Wilier), Roy Chamberlain (Team Corley Cycles), Pete Williams (Pinarello RT), Gary Dodd (Sigma Sport) and Dan, tenacious as ever, made sure he was there with them.

The group worked well together but, as they approached the finishing hill not everyone was keen on working until, looking behind them, they could see the fast approaching bunch and the cars being pulled out. They managed to stay away and the 1km to go sign signalled the break’s safety as Gary Dodd started the sprint on the final drag. Dodd showed his strength and took the win as Dan used his new found sprinting skills to overhaul Pete Williams and hold off Grant Bayton to take a fine second place and to cap a wonderful weekend for him and the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team.

This was a fantastic ride from the young rider from Corringham and the quality of the opposition below him in the results show's how far Dan has come since his move from running just two seasons ago. Dan's form is building nicely for one of the biggest races of the year and he will definitely be a man to watch at the upcoming Rutland-Melton Cicle Classic.

Results:

1.) Gary Dodd: Sigma Sport
2.) Daniel Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
3.) Pete Williams: Pinarello RT
4.) Grant Bayton: Sports Beans/Wilier
5.) Roy Chamberlain: Team Corley Cycles

Dan Patten wins the Team Economic Energy Spring Rumble!

Dan Patten took a fantastic victory in the Team Economic Energy Spring Rumble after the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team completely dominated proceedings at Ford's Dunton Test Track on Saturday 12th April.

With the threat of bad weather looming on the horizon, a strong field lined up for the race, including four of the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team, Dunton sprint specialists James Jackson (Plowman Craven RT) and Ben Price (Pinarello RT), Dan Staite (Python RT) and Phil Hetzel (Ipswich BC).

Hostilities were signalled from the very start when James Jackson (Plowman Craven RT) surged clear, but James Whatling was quickly onto his wheel and, although the former team mates set about gaining an advantage, the field were far too vigilant at such an early stage and quickly reeled them in. This set the story of the race with constant attack and counter attack, but the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team showed their strength and were in every move, often with two riders.

One of the more promising attacks of the day came when Ben Price (Pinarello RT) pulled clear at the end of the drag and took Ian Franklin with him. They worked hard together and maintained their advantage for a few laps but the strong headwind took it's toll on the pair and the field came back together again.

Not even a violent rain and hail storm mid way through the race could distract the peloton from its vigilance and when strong attacks from the ever aggressive Dan Kogan to try and split the field came to nothing it seemed like the race would end in a bunch sprint until about 10 laps from the finish, when Ben Price (Pinarello RT), Phil Hetzel (Ipswich BC) and Dan Patten quietly slipped away. The bunch still weren't keen on letting them go, but some hard work from the escapees, coupled with committed team work in defending Dan Patten's position from the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team, meant that the break maintained their advantage until the finale. Dan Patten showed his growing experience by forcing sprinter Ben Price into leading out the sprint and came around him at the end to take his first win of the season from the Pinarello RT rider, with Phil Hetzel taking third.

Despite working hard to defend for long periods, the team still led Ian Franklin out in the bunch sprint and although James Jackson (Plowman Craven RT) and Trevor Burke (Finchley RT) just got around him, Ian capped a fantastic team performance taking 6th place.

This was a true team performance from start to finish and not only underlined the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team's strong team ethos but also signalled Dan Patten's growing emergence as a rider to watch and Ian Franklin's ever improving sprinting skills.

1.) Daniel Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
2.) Ben Price: Pinarello RT
3.) Philip Hetzel: Ipswich BC
4.) James Jackson: Plowman Craven RT
5.) Trevor Burke: Finchley RT
6.) Ian Franklin: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT