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