Getting noticed at the Nationals.

An unsettled weekend of weather was on the cards for the team as they arrived at Ampleforth in Yorkshire for the 203km National Road Race Championships. Arriving on the Saturday, the team for the weekend consisted of Ian Franklin, Daniel Kogan, Dan Patten and James Whatling. Martin Bryant unfortunately had work commitments so had to give the race a miss. Saturday saw the team embark on a pre race ride around the course, which comprised of two rolling circuits and numerous sharp hills. The guys knew the race was going to be one of attrition as the course was a mixture of tight turns and sharp hills ready to sap the energy.

Come race day, the team arrived at the headquarters and went about signing on, deciding on how much food to take and getting kitted up ready for the 9:20am roll out. The mood was one of apprehension yet there was also a buzz as some of the best riders in the world turned up. A very casual 9:20am arrived and riders began to meander to the start. 10km of neutralised greeted the riders as the team led the 156 rider strong peloton out to Dunscombe park where the official race was to begin. Arriving at the park the team positioned themselves at the front of the grid and at 10am the race was off as the relaxed group sauntered out of the park. This didn’t last long though as James Whatling launched the first attack as soon as the race was de neutralised. Sensing the danger all the major teams followed and Dan Kogan sensed his opportunity and jumped across as well. Soon there was a strong group of nine working well together. This group comprised of Simon Holt (Rapha/Condor/Recycling) , Neil Swithenbank (Sigma Sport), Daffyd Dylan (KFS-Special Vehicles), Tom Murray (Pinarello RT), Simon Gaywood and Alex Higham (Plowman Craven RT) and Daniel Kogan and James Whatling! Soon the pace along the flat was bordering on 40mph and the break looked good. Dan Patten, following wheels from the bunch, soon found himself in a chase group including James Sampson (Kinesis UK), Richard Sykes-Popham (KFS-Special Vehicles), Pete Williams (Pinarello RT), Warren Flynn (Isle of Man), Dieter Droger (Sportscover) and the ex national Champion Jeremy Hunt (Credit Agricole).

Soon the two groups merged but even with the two Dans driving the break, the group was now to big to work cohesively together. James unfortunately succumbed to the cold he had been suffering with all the previous week and he dropped out of the race. Ian was also feeling the pace in the bunch but dug deep and clung on as long as he could before being pulled out. This left the two Dans to try and keep the break away but after about an hour of freedom the break was reeled in the bunch led by defending National Champion David Millar (Garmin-Chipotle). The Dan's, having worked hard in the break, took some time to rest a little in the bunch as an another escape took flight, this time containing some of the most dangerous riders in the race, including Dean Downing (Rapha/Condor/Recycling), Rob Hayles and Tom Southam (Halfords Bikehut), Dan Lloyd (An Post) and Peter Kennaugh (100% Me). Sitting in the top half of the peloton, the Kogan and Patten were in a good position as the chase intensified and the pace shelled riders at an alarming rate.

Onto the second circuit and as the peloton hit the long drag for the second time, David Millar took to the front, driving hard,and a significant split occurred half way down the bunch. Dan Patten was able to make the front group in the split with Kogan unfortunately in the second group. Soon there were three significant groups on the road, the breakaway of four riders, Patten’s group of around 50 riders at around a minute behind and then Kogan’s group of around 30 riders a further two minutes back.

In the last 10km of the race, the groups had established themselves and with the rain coming down it was a tough last section. As the approached the finale the group containing Dan Patten were riding for 5th place and bearing down on the break yet disaster struck for Dan with 5km to go as he cramped climbing into Helmsley. Hitting his leg to get the blood flowing, Dan sat behind the team cars desperate to get back onto his group and, as the cramp subsided in the last kilometre, Dan managed to just get onto the back of the group he was in and pushed hard to finish 45th. Three minutes later the group containing Kogan rode in with Daniel taking 69th.

A tough five hours of racing meant just 77 of the 156 starters finished. With the bunch in one constant line for the 200km it showed just how fierce the race was and with none of the team having raced 200km before, it was always going to be a real test, but one which Dan Patten and Daniel Kogan were than a match for. Once again, the team showed their willingness to race and attacking spirit, showing some of the biggest teams in the UK and Europe the way for the early part of the race. In hindsight putting 3 riders in the early break may have cost the two Dans in the final part of the race yet the team can take a lot of positives away from the race and learnt a great deal about fuelling, saving energy and positioning in the bunch in a long race. The Dans deserve special praise for their efforts. The National Championships is the biggest race in the calendar and yet the guys weren't phased at all and rode strongly throughout, despite never having raced for 200 km before. Dan Patten could very easily have finished in the top twenty had he not been unlucky with cramp and Daniel Kogan could also have been up there if he had conserved a little bit more energy at the start. The Dan's should be proud of what they achieved in their first Nationals, as the team are certainly proud of them. All in all it was a steep learning curve but the there is a good base to work from for next years race and the team now know that they can compete on the biggest stage.

From all the riders we’d like to say thank you to Mr and Mrs Patten and Mrs Whatling for helping throughout the weekend. Roll on next year!

Results:

1.) Rob Hayles: Halfords Bikehut
2.) Peter Kennaugh: 100% Me
3.) Dean Downing: Rapha/Condor/Recycling
4.) Dan Lloyd: An Post
5.) Mark Cavendish: Team Columbia

45.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
69.) Daniel Kogan: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT