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!

Horses on courses at the Southern Counties Road Race Championship

Author: Dan Patten

There was a fairly rapid start to the Southern Counties Road Race, held at Ockley in Surrey. The attacks were fast and furious, with many riders trying their luck on the first lap only to get brought back by the fast moving, strung out peloton. Our own Dan Kogan, keen as ever to race, was one of these riders who was aggressive early in the proceedings but at that stage the bunch were too attentive to let anyone escape.

Approaching the end of the first lap I began to make my way towards the front of the peloton. On doing so I found myself on the wheel of Toby Neave (Southdown Velo). Knowing Toby's attacking style of racing I sensed he was about to go and, sure enough, as we neared the front of the peloton he went and I immediately followed in his wheel. After a couple of hundred metres I took a look back and saw we were away. We worked well together and were out for the best part of a lap before being joined by a chase group. Surprisingly there were no Plowman Craven riders in this chase group and when the other riders made the junction we knew we would have to work hard to pull out the gap...that we did. We were a hard working group containing the likes of myself and Toby, Jon Tiernan Locke (Mid Devon CC), Roy Chamberlain (Team Corley Cycles), Wouter Sybrandy and Andrew Bye (bothSigma Sport) and we continued to apply the pressure.

We built up a nice gap and knew that the peloton would have to really work well together to pull us back. Unfortunately Wouter Sybrandy punctured from our group and, with the neutral service car behind the peloton, we lost one of the strongest riders in the group. Then into the last few laps an incident with a horse on the course caused a crash in the break, which took out both Jonathan Tiernan Locke and Roy Chamberlain. This was a bad accident and Jonathan Tiernan Locke come off the worse with what looked like nasty head/facial injuries. The rest of us continued but it changed the whole feeling of the race. On our next time round Jonathan was still in the road being seen to and we all felt for him and knew how lucky we were that it wasn’t us lying in the road. The crash caused disruptions in the peloton too and the gap went out further. There race was eventually cut short and we were left to fight it out for the win.

Andrew Bye and myself seemed to be the most aggressive in the last lap, with Andrew eventually getting away. Sensing that the others were also tired and would not be able to catch him I jumped and started the chase on my own. Andrew hit the final climb of Leigh hill still in front and took the victory, while I stayed away to take second place. I had to be fairly satisfied with my ride as I was still suffering with a chest infection, but I was oh so close to another win again! A mention must also go to Ben Thompson (Glendene/Biketrax CC) who was clear of the main field and riding for 7th but was not directed up the finishing climb by the marshalls...he was however given his rightful finishing place after the organisers realised their mistake. Dan Kogan defended the break all race and then rode strongly up the finishing climb to take a well earned 15th. All of our thoughts are with Jonathon Tiernan Locke and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Results:
1.) Andrew Bye: Sigma Sport
2.) Daniel Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
3.) Andy Betts: Twickenham CC
4.) Toby Neave: Southdown Velo
5.) Thomas Crouch: Felt Racing

15.) Daniel Kogan: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT

Fighting a virus at the London Dynamo Summer Road Race

Author: Dan Patten

Still feeling the effects of the virus I had picked up in Belgium I went to Staplefield to try and defend the race I had won last year. By now my chest was quite bad and certainly didn’t help over what is a lumpy circuit. I tried to ride in the bunch early on but, with the attacks going, I knew that I would end up missing the break by doing this. I managed to get myself into the main break of the day, which contained most of the pre-race favourites, but I still did not feel right and just made sure I did enough to stay there. We soon had pulled out a race winning gap and it was going to come down to the 9 or so riders that were in breakaway. On the final climb up to the finish Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Mid Devon CC) went first and soon pulled away from Andrew Bye (Sigma Sport) and Chris McNamara (Wildside RT), taking the victory. I passed both McNamara and Bye to take second but ran out of road to make an impression on Jonathan Tiernan Locke whose win was well earned.

Results:
1.) Jonathan Tiernan-Locke: Mid Devon CC
2.) Daniel Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
3.) Robert Hurd: Sigma Sport
4.) Andrew Bye: Sigma Sport
5.) Chris McNamara: Wildside RT

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

Tour of Belgium number two: The Patten returns!

Author: Dan Patten

Kruishoutem Kermesse - 1/7/08

Two days after the National Championships and I thought I would have had tired legs....this was not the case. The 200km at the Nationals must have brought on some form because I had really good legs, was getting in all the moves and making some moves myself. With how I felt and how I was riding I just had a feeling I was going to have a good day. I got myself in the main break of 20 or so riders and continued to be aggressive. Into what I believed was the last couple of laps I attacked out of the break with about 12km to go. I built up a significant lead and what I thought was a race winning lead going into what I believed was the last few hundred metres. However, I was then told we had one more lap to go. Not long after I was rejoined by the chasers and it was going to come down to a sprint finish within the group. The teams with a number of riders in the break played their numbers well and began to attack going into the last couple of kms. As we hit the final bend I found myself out of position to be able to go for the win but ended up placing 9th in the sprint...a good result against a quality field again including riders from teams such as WC SOENENS-GERMOND INGELMUNSTER, WIELERGROEP BEVEREN 2000 VZW, ROCK WERCHTER-CHOCOLADE JACQUES C.T, as well as the Belgian National Amateur Champion (who I beat again). My best result to date out there...but oh so close to the win.

Results:
1.) CLAUWAERT Joeri: WC SOENENS-GERMOND INGELMUNSTER
2.) DE BACKER Bert: WIELERGROEP BEVEREN 2000 VZW
3.) PLANCKAERT Baptiste: WC SOENENS-GERMOND INGELMUNSTER
4.) COOMANS Björn: ROCK WERCHTER-CHOCOLADE JACQUES
5.) DEMEULEMEESTER Wouter: WIELERCLUB MARKE VERANDA´S CLOCHET

9.) PATTEN Daniel: CICLOS UNO-PLOWMAN CRAVEN-ISAAC RT

ASSENEDE Kermesse – 3/7/08

An evening race in atrocious conditions. Heavy rain, strong crosswinds and lots of mud from the farm roads we were riding along meant it was going to be an eventful race. Also thrown into the mix were wet cobbles as we twisted and turned our way back through the start/finish town each lap. Again I felt strong but I did miss out on the front group on this occasion. Nonetheless, after a number of attacks I did get away and help to form a strong working group of five riders that included myself and fellow English rider Steve Skuse. We worked well and pulled away from the bunch and even closed in on the front group. However we were left to fight it out for 14th. Steve Skuse and myself worked together with a number of attacks between us in the closing stages. Steve, taking one other rider with him was the one to finally get away only to be beaten and had to settle for 15th where as I jumped away from the remaining riders in our chase group to take 16th. An eventful nights racing...not quite the result I was looking for but felt strong yet again and rode well to get something out of the race. Unfortunately a couple of days after this race I came down with a virus and had to miss the weekends racing that I had planned to do in Belgium....unfortunately not what I had planned!

Results:
1.) DE SCHEEMAEKER Davy: AVB - CYCLING TEAM
2.) COCQUYT Nicky: ROCK WERCHTER-CHOCOLADE JACQUES C.T.
3.) STIEGELIS SANDER: ISOREX
4.) COCQUYT Patrick: JOHN SAEY CYCLING TEAM
5.) VAN SPEYBROEK Bart: SPORTING CLUB MEERSE – KLUISBERGEN

16.) PATTEN Daniel: CICLOS UNO-PLOWMAN CRAVEN-ISAAC RT

Patten so close again at Dunton

Author: Dan Patten

Wouter Sybrandy (Sigma Sport), Dan Staite (Python RT) and myself got away early on in the race and worked strongly to pull out a big gap on a bunch that didn't seem too keen on chasing tonight. Coming into the last few laps there was no chance of us coming back and both myself and Sybrandy put in a number of digs to get away, but always seemed to cancel each other out. Onto the final lap and it was coming down to a sprint. I rode the top of the bank around the final bend but Wouter and Dan Staite both remained on my wheel. As soon as we began to hit the straight I launched the sprint from the front, and held on until close to the line when I was overtaken by Wouter Sybrandy. A few other riders had got away from the bunch, with Martin Bryant leading the bunch home in 7th and Ian Franklin taking 9th.

Results:
1.) Wouter Sybrandy: Sigma Sport
2.) Daniel Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
3.) Dan Staite: Python RT
4.) Dominic Schils: Lotto Olympia Interbike
5.) Ian Randall: Essex Road CC

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

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

A weekend in Belgium for Patten.

After a knee injury set back Dan Patten's preparation for the National Championships on the 29th June, he decided to travel to Belgium to test his strength and hone his form over two day's hard racing, and capped the weekend with a fine 11th place on Sunday 22nd June.

Dan takes up the story:

Saturday 21st June: HAMME

133 riders started the race which was won by Guy Smet from a small group of five who had managed to pull out a 30 second gap over the bunch. Everything else came back together in the finale, apart from this small group which jumped away in the last couple of laps. I had much better legs than i thought i was going to have going into the weekend and spent the first 45 minutes riding close to the back. However, with the amount of riders in the race, it was a long way to get to the front when it was all strung out and, with riders starting to lose wheels towards the rear, i decided to move up the field. I got in some promising moves that, if it wasn't for the peletons efforts to keep it all together, would have been well away. After doing a good effort on the front, I found myself off the front on my own and when i was joined by other riders, once again it looked a very promising move but with a lap to go it all came back together once more. Five riders had managed to escape, but other than that it was a bunch finish with some twists and turns going into the town for the last time. I finished safely in the bunch, having had a good workout with an average speed of 43.8km/hr and some time off the front.

Sunday 22nd June: OOSTROZEBEKE

122 riders took to the start today and the race was won by Joeri Clauwaert. Again quite a large field turned out, including the Belgian Espoirs National Champion, and a frantic pace was set from the start. In what was a much windier day than previous it made for a hard race and about a third into the race the move of the day went clear and i could sense that this was going to stay away. I work hard to get myself into the group and despite the attempts of some of the riders in the group trying to take me out the back, i hung in there and rode some good strong turns. Keeping the pace high, the gap went out and it looked like it was going to be the winning move until into the last four or so laps, the riders began to attack from the break. I managed to get myself in these attacks but the rest of the breakway riders were not going to give it up that easy. With two laps to go, the definative attack came and it split the break. After all the effort i had put in to get to and to keep driving the break, i was finding it hard and felt that the chance of fighting it out for the win was slipping away from me. Over the last 10km i dug deep to keep ahead of the rapidly approaching chase group and with a gap of around going into the final 3 km, i though i might get caught. On the finishing straight i was dangling in the headwind and looking back i could see the group trying to get across to me, however fellow British rider Chris Mcnamara (Wildside RT) said after that he wanted to get across but without dragging the other riders with him. As the line approached, i could see that i wasn't going to get caught and crossed the line for 11th with the next group immediately behind.

Overall it was a good weekend's racing in preparation for the Nationals!

Shaping the race at the Giles Ree Memorial.

It was a rare cloudless sky that greeted the team on Sunday 15th June, the day of the Giles Ree Memorial. Held at Warninglid in West Sussex, the Giles Ree Memorial is something of a classic, and the heat of the day was more than matched by the quality of racing over a hard and hilly course.

A full field took to the start and with strong teams fielded by the likes of London Dynamo, Sigma Sport and the Wildside RT, the race was destined to be a fast, attacking one and it certainly didn't disappoint. As the field climbed out of Staplefield for the first time, a London Dynamo rider attacked and James Whatling, feeling strong and keen to break away, went with him, quickly gaining a 30 second gap. The breakaway pair worked hard over the rolling course and managed to stay away until the last of the larger circuits, when a group containing Dan Kogan, Paul Delahunty (London Dynamo) and Darren Barclay (Arctic-Premier RT) bridged across to them.

The group worked well together for about a lap but, when Darren Barclay punctured, some of the impetus left the break, despite the best efforts of James and Dan to stay clear of the chasing pack. As the race entered the first of five smaller finishing circuits, the race came back together, a shame for James who had been working tirelessly at the front for the majority of the race and deserved to stay away today. The fast pace of the race, despite the climbs, continued unabated in the final few laps, with riders attacking constantly to try and break clear before the end, but it was to no avail as the bunch thundered down the final hill with the finish, and a bunch sprint in sight.

Paul Delahunty (London Dynamo) capped a strong performance by taking the win from Steve Calland (Norwood Paragon) and Jules Birks (Kingston Wheelers). Ian Franklin, who had ridden sensibly all day, took 16th and the rest of the team rolled in with the bunch. Once again the Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team had shown they were not afraid to show their colours at the front and shape the race. The lack of a result was disappointing after all of the hard work but James Whatling did walk away with the Most Agressive Rider award, a testament to his attacking riding throughout.

Results:

1.) Paul Delahunty: London Dynamo
2.) Steve Calland: Norwood Paragon
3.) Jules Birks: Kingston Wheelers
4.) Gary Dodd: Sigma Sport
5.) Simon Lawn: Sigma Sport

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

The Dans achieve their goals.

The Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team's two Dans, Daniel Kogan and Dan Patten, achieved their major pre-season goals recently when they both gained enough points to upgrade thier licences. Dan Patten's fourth place in the Eastern Regional Championships gained him enough points for his Elite licence and Daniel Kogan's second place at the Beccles Road Race earned him his 1st Cat licence.

The team are really pleased that both of the Dans have achieved their aims so early in the season and are proud of the way they have gained the points they needed with an exciting, attacking style. With three wins and numerous podium places between them already this season, both of them have a promising future ahead.

Kogan so close at the Beccles Road Race.

Sunday 8th June dawned sunny and warm for the Beccles Road Race and, not only did it make a pleasant change for the team but it was also a perfect day to launch the fantastic new Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team kit. The new kit is a strong design in orange and blue, and will make the team even more visible in the peloton now!

A relatively small field set out from the picturesque village of Ringsfield, near Beccles, for the 83 mile race on a deceptively hard course. The team consisted of Martin Bryant, Ian Franklin, Daniel Kogan and James Whatling, with Dan Patten unfortunately sidelined with the injured knee sustained in his crash at The World University Championships. Even with a man down, the team were still confident of a good result and their attacking style was perfect for the rolling course. Kitted out in the new clothing, the team really meant business and, soon after the flag was dropped, James Whatling and Ian Franklin were at the head of proceedings, trying to split the race up. After one of Ian's attacks was brought back, Daniel Kogan countered and, keen as ever to attack and get away early, Daniel took three other riders away with him and, although not working as cohesively as they could, they managed to hold a gap of almost a minute.

Back in the bunch and Ian, Martin and James were very vigilant jumping on all the dangerous moves and controlling the bunch. James, on very good legs from a strong ride in the Regional Championships, was keen to bridge across to Dan in the break to bolster the move, but was hampered by some negative riding in the bunch who weren't prepared to let another Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team member escape. James was soon after hit by a catalogue of bad luck, which included three wheel changes and a broken gear cable but, although out of the race and suitably annoyed at wasting good legs and good form, he carried on with only two gears and got some useful training miles in.

Coming onto the end of the third lap, a group of six including Martin Bryant and the race favourite Phil Hetzel bridged across to the break but although this looked like a strong move, the ten rider group didn’t work well together and were soon brought back into the fold. Just when everything looked like it was back together, Dan Kogan picked his moment perfectly and attacked on the drag through the finish and pulled out a sizeable gap. Soon joined by Joe Skipper (Lotto/Interbike RT) and Kevin Chamber (API-Metrow), the three riders began to work well together with just fewer than 40 miles to go.

The bunch were held up by a train crossing and, seeming to lose interest in the chase afterwards, on the last lap the three escapees had pulled out two minutes on a lone chasing Phil Hetzel (Ipswich BC) and a further minute to the bunch. Keen to keep the pressure on, the three rode hard until about 3km from the finish when Chambers and Skipper decided to play the tactical game and let Daniel lead them out. Not able to get his breakaway companions to come through, the odds for Daniel weren't too good and when Kevin Chambers began his sprint, Dan slipped back a little. Joe Skipper came over the top of Chambers to take the win but Daniel dug deep, outsprinting Chambers to take second. Ian Franklin and Martin Bryant sprinted in with the bunch, taking 20th and 22nd place, after working hard to defend Daniel's position.

All in all it was a mixed race. James was very unfortunate mechanically, which put paid to his chances, yet he’s getting ever stronger and will definitely be one to watch next weekend. Ian and Martin showed well, mixing it up in the moves and helping their teammate Daniel by blocking. Daniel showed his strength in forcing both of the moves of the race and rode his heart out to make the podium and gain enough points for his 1st cat licence. Once again it was a strong team ride by the Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team, showing the ever growing strength and professionalism of the team. As a fellow competitor said after the race, “the future's bright, the future's orange”.......Ciclos Uno orange!

Results:

1.) Joe Skipper: Lotto/Interbike RT
2.) Daniel Kogan: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
3.) Kevin Chambers: API-Metrow
4.) Phil Hetzel: Ipswich BC

3 in the top 15 at the Eastern Regional Championships!

On Sunday 1st June, a full strength Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team lined up for the Eastern Regional Road Race Championships at Ashley, near Newmarket. Held on a tough course featuring two strength sapping climbs per lap, and with a full field of riders that all wanted to be crowned the best rider in the region, the Regional Championships are always hard fought and never fail to produce a worthy winner.

As ever, the Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team were in the thick of the action from the start and, as the race reached the end of the first lap, Martin Bryant got into a strong looking early move. The move soon looked even more promising as James Whatling and Dennis Van Gaveren (Lotto-Interbike) bridged across, and the group got themselves organised and started to work well together.

After five laps the breakaway was swelled when another group including Daniel Kogan bridged across. Daniel had been dealt some bad luck when, having punctured within a mile of the race and with no neutral service, he had to get a wheel from Dan Patten's parents (thanks Francis and June, you are complete stars!) and then chased back solo for seven miles. Of course, when you've been chasing hard for that long, what do you do? If you're Dan Kogan on a mission, you get in the first available break and get yourself to the front group!!

The leading group seemed almost too big now to work well but with James, Dan, Ben Thompson (Glendene/Bike Trax) and Dennis Van Gaveren consistently keeping the pace high and attacking over the hills, the group soon whittled down and a collection of willing riders remained. With time checks hovering around a minute to another chase group and the end in sight, the break upped the pace, but it was to no avail as they were caught with only half a lap remaining by a group containing Andy Lyons and Adam Norris (Heron Cyclesport), Dan Staite (Python RT) and Dan Patten who had spent the race defending valiantly and making few friends in the chase group in order to help his team mates up ahead.

With Lyons and Norris joining a hard working Ben Pochee, and Dan Patten joining James Whatling and Daniel Kogan, there were now three team members apiece for Heron Cyclesport and the Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team and, as the race neared the finale, the attacks came thick and fast. It was Adam Norris who made move of the day though, as he attacked over the penultimate climb and, with Ben Pochee and Andy Lyons working hard to cover any moves and block, rode strongly and stayed away to take the 2008 Eastern Regional Championships. The finishing climb took it's toll on many of the riders and Ben Thompson came out on top in the sprint for second place, with Dennis Van Gaveren taking third and a strong sprinting Dan Patten and James Whatling rounding out the top five. Dan Kogan overcame a puncture and an upset stomach to take 15th.

For the team to place two riders in the break of the day and then to finish with three in the top fifteen of the Regional Championships is a fantastic result for the team and, although the win eluded us, we will be back next year, stronger, wiser and ready for the challenge.

Results:

1.) Adam Norris: Heron Cyclesport
2.) Ben Thompson: Glendene/Bike Trax
3.) Dennis Van Gaveren: Lotto/Interbike
4.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team
5.) James Whatling: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team

15.) Daniel Kogan: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team

Photos: Simon Gooderham: http://good.zenfolio.com