Whatling hangs on at the Toachim House GP

On Sunday 6th July, the team lined up for one of the most lucrative races on the domestic calendar, the Toachim House Grand Prix. With Daniel Kogan managing to end up in Godalming, Surrey after one of the biggest map mistakes in history (the race was in Godmersham, Kent)!! and Dan Patten unable to ride because he was laid up with a virus in Belgium, it was up to Martin Bryant, Ian Franklin and James Whatling to fly the orange flag.

With a £1000 first prize, everyone was keen to race and the pace was high from the start. As early as the first lap, a strong looking group went over one of the hills and, with a strong head wind, the bunch wasn't keen on chasing. Sensing that the break contained riders capable of staying away, James Whatling jumped and time trialled it across the gap to make the select group that included Andy Lyons (Heron Cyclesport) Chris McNamara (Wildside RT), Martin Smith (AW Cycles) and Darren Barclay (Arctic/Premier RT).

The break set about establishing a lead and worked really hard for the first few laps, but the gap always seemed to be hovering around the minute mark. As the weather deteriorated, with the wind becoming more and more gusty and the rain falling steadily, the bunch started to split and the breakaway pulled clear. As the race moved onto the first of three finishing circuits, complete with a climb of the 3km White Hill every lap, the break held a gap of over two minutes and all of the riders were focused on the win and the £1000 first prize. When Chris McNamara took to the front and rode tempo up the first climb of White Hill, it was clear that he was on a good day and he proved this as he attacked on the next ascent of the hill and pulled clear. As the rest of the break chased McNamara, James Whatling fell back but kept the other riders in sight as he drove hard to reel them in on the descent and the flat before the final punishing climb.

At the foot of the final climb of White Hill, James nearly made the junction but then the attacks started and he was distanced again. Up ahead Chris McNamara was riding solo to take a well deserved victory, with Martin Smith winning the sprint for second from Darren Barclay. James Whatling dug deep to take a hard ridden 6th and Martin Bryant and Ian Franklin rolled in with the bunch.

Results:
1.) Chris McNamara: Wild Side Road Team
2.) Martin Smith: AW Cycles.Co.uk
3.) Darren Barclay: Arctic - Premier Racing Team
4.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
5.) Roger Smith: VC Etoile
6.) James Whatling: Ciclos Uno/Plowman Craven/Isaac RT

Thanks to Paul J Wright for the pictures: www.pjwphotos.co.uk