Without teamwork, James Whatling would not have gained his 1st Cat licence today at the Finsbury Park RR. Without James Jackson's fantastic efforts, burying himself to close gaps and to lead James out for the final sprint, the race might have got away and the points gone. The Ciclos Uno Race Team raced hard today and showed their true colours, working together to get the result needed.
In the final Eastern Road Race League of the season at Steeple, Essex, James Jackson and James Whatling had one aim, to get James Whatling the points he needed for his 1st Cat licence. A good strong field started the race and, with the ERRL riders championship wide open, the race was always going to be fast and full of attacks. The Heron Cyclesport team were riding hard to get the win for their rider Andy Lyons, whilst API-Metrow were defending the lead of Kevin Chambers and the race would often yo-yo as first one team would attack and then the other would counter.
At about half distance, a group of 16 got away on the fast section of the course and both of the James' missed the move. There was no way they were going to let this race slip away from them and, although the breakaway gained 30 seconds, the Ciclos Uno Race Team hit the front of the bunch in the headwind section of the race, put their heads down and pulled the group back. With the race back together, the attacks began again and as the main teams sent rider after rider up the road, only to be pulled back again, Phil Hetzel (Ipswich BC) slipped away and was never seen again by the bunch. On the penultimate lap Andy Lyons was very unlucky to puncture and, with Kevin Chambers safely in the race and the winner of the ERRL, the race slowed, with almost everyone happy to wait until the finale to make their moves.
Martin Smith (AW Cycles) and Alastair Kay (York Cycleworks) escaped on the final lap to take second and third place respectively while behind them, the bunch were readying themselves for the sprint up the finishing climb. As they rounded the final corner, James Jackson hit the front, with James Whatling glued to his wheel and, pulling at over 35mph, he lined out the whole field to deliver his team mate to the bottom of the climb in the lead. James Whatling took over and, despite suffering from cramp in both legs, managed to hold on to finish 15th, enough to gain his 1st Cat licence for 2008.
Results:
1.) Philip Hetzel: Ipswich BC
2.) Martin Smith: AW cycles
3.) Alastair Kay: York Cycleworks
4.) Chris Moores: Norwood Paragon
5.) Raphael Deinhart: Loughborough Students CC
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Success in the Duo Normand!!
Ciclos Uno time trial specialist, ace mechanic and general all round trouper, Ewan Hendon and his tandem partner, Corinna Francis rode to a fantastic third place in the Duo Normand in France on Sunday 23rd September.
Solar powered Ewan was suitably charged up by the beautiful sunny weather in Marigny and he and Corinna powered around the 54km rolling course in 1:23:12 to earn their podium place. The top step of the podium went to another Ciclos Uno rider, Dean Lubin, and his tandem partner Andy Page.
Results.
1.) Dean Lubin - Andy Page: 01:17:13
2.) Andrew Butcher - June Edwards: 01:21:10
3.) Ewan Hendon - Corinna Francis: 01:23:12
A rough ride in the Dengie Marshes.
Sometimes you've got it, sometimes you haven't. In what was, without doubt, the hardest race in the Eastern Region this season, luck deserted James Jackson, and James Whatling just didn't have the legs on a disappointing day in the flatlands of Essex on Sunday 23rd September.
The rough and unmade roads of the Dengie Marshes were always going to produce some exciting racing, akin to that in Belgium or Holland, and the wind that steadily increased through the morning made the going even tougher. The pace was high from the start, with riders pushing hard to get to the front for the first time into the single track roads. Unfortunately, James Jackson never got to complete a lap as a puncture, and a 5 minute wait for service, ended his race in disappointment. James was the sixth rider to have punctured within half a lap but, despite this setback, he has had a fine season and can look back with pride at all he has acheived.
As the race progressed, the wind whistling across the marshes was blowing riders to the four winds. James Whatling found himself working hard to stay in contact with the front group and despite a big turn on the front of a group desperate to regain contact, he never quite managed to make the junction and settled in a group of seven other riders. With the narrow roads only allowing room for 4 to echelon, there was nowhere to hide and, with 3 laps to go, he lost the wheel in front and never got back on. In a race that should have suited his abilities, he just didn't have the legs but there is always next year.
A group of three riders pulled away from the bunch in the final stages to contest the win, with the experienced Roy Chamberlain (Team Corley Cycles) outsprinting Richard Sykes-Popham (Glendene/Biketrax) for the win, with David McClean (Heron Cyclesport) taking third place.
Results:
1.) Roy Chamberlain: Team Corley Cycles
2.) Richard Sykes-Popham: Glendene/Biketrax
3.) Dave McLean: Heron Cyclesport
4.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
5.) Douglas Bradshaw: Cambridge CC
The Eastern Region Track Championships.
The Eastern Region Track Championships were held at Welwyn on Saturday 15th September and Ciclos Uno were represented with a mixture of youth and experience in David Baker, James Jackson, Ian Bell, James Whatling and John Saysell.
The record entry of 87 riders were blessed with a warm sunny day to enjoy an excellent and competitive afternoon's racing in the various categories from Senior down to Under 8’s.
The programme opened with the Senior Pursuit, with James Whatling and James Jackson competing for Ciclos Uno. James Whatling was making his competive debut on the track, after one previous outing at Manchester Velodrome, and it showed somewhat, missing the start whistle and having a bit of a wobble to begin with. He got into the rhythm of things soon enough and pushed hard towards the end of the race to finish in 15th place. James Jackson used his sprint to power off the start line like a train and held it well to finish 9th, a fantastic result for both of them considering neither had the advantage of tri bars or disc wheels. Doug Bradshaw (Cambridge CC) powered home to take the win from John McClelland (Agiskoviner) with Simon Bateson (Team Economic Energy) third.
After a round of heats and repechages in the Senior Sprint, the four Semi-final winners going into the final were Andy Ballentyne (Easterley RC), Robert Cox (Cambridge CC), James Jackson and John McClelland, who had narrowly defeated David Baker in the first semi-final. After a cagey start, with all four riders slowing to a near standstill on the first bend, Cox attacked with 300m to go, but McClelland's power closed the gap and held off the challenge of James Jackson as they came into the home straight, to win by a length.
The Ciclos Uno team pursuit team of David Baker, James Whatling, John Saysell and James Jackson were up next. Led by the experienced Baker, the team rode without any tri accessories and instead relied on power, aggression and team work. All four rode out of their skins for 6 laps and finished third, a fantastic result which we hope to better next year with some practice! Cambridge CC ran out the winners from the eight team pursuit squads competing, with Team Welwyn in second place.
The final event of the meeting the was the Senior 10 mile scratch. With a field of some 45 riders, the race was building to a close finish with all the main riders in contention positioning themselves for the win when, with two laps remaining, a crash occurred as the riders entered the home straight. The race was stopped as Ian Clarke and Mario Morias were transported to hospital and the restart saw John McClelland take the a narrow victory from David Baker, with Trevor Burke (North Road Club) in third and James Jackson in fourth.
Results.
Team Pursuit.
1.) Cambridge CC
2.) Team Welwyn
3.) PCA/Ciclos Uno
Sprint.
1.) John McClelland: Agiskoviner
2.) James Jackson: PCA/CiclosUno
3.) Robert Cox: Cambridge CC
10 Mile Scratch
1.) John McClelland: Agiskoviner
2.) David Baker: PCA/CiclosUno
3.) Trevor Burke: North Road Club
4.) James Jackson: PCA/CiclosUno
The record entry of 87 riders were blessed with a warm sunny day to enjoy an excellent and competitive afternoon's racing in the various categories from Senior down to Under 8’s.
The programme opened with the Senior Pursuit, with James Whatling and James Jackson competing for Ciclos Uno. James Whatling was making his competive debut on the track, after one previous outing at Manchester Velodrome, and it showed somewhat, missing the start whistle and having a bit of a wobble to begin with. He got into the rhythm of things soon enough and pushed hard towards the end of the race to finish in 15th place. James Jackson used his sprint to power off the start line like a train and held it well to finish 9th, a fantastic result for both of them considering neither had the advantage of tri bars or disc wheels. Doug Bradshaw (Cambridge CC) powered home to take the win from John McClelland (Agiskoviner) with Simon Bateson (Team Economic Energy) third.
After a round of heats and repechages in the Senior Sprint, the four Semi-final winners going into the final were Andy Ballentyne (Easterley RC), Robert Cox (Cambridge CC), James Jackson and John McClelland, who had narrowly defeated David Baker in the first semi-final. After a cagey start, with all four riders slowing to a near standstill on the first bend, Cox attacked with 300m to go, but McClelland's power closed the gap and held off the challenge of James Jackson as they came into the home straight, to win by a length.
The Ciclos Uno team pursuit team of David Baker, James Whatling, John Saysell and James Jackson were up next. Led by the experienced Baker, the team rode without any tri accessories and instead relied on power, aggression and team work. All four rode out of their skins for 6 laps and finished third, a fantastic result which we hope to better next year with some practice! Cambridge CC ran out the winners from the eight team pursuit squads competing, with Team Welwyn in second place.
The final event of the meeting the was the Senior 10 mile scratch. With a field of some 45 riders, the race was building to a close finish with all the main riders in contention positioning themselves for the win when, with two laps remaining, a crash occurred as the riders entered the home straight. The race was stopped as Ian Clarke and Mario Morias were transported to hospital and the restart saw John McClelland take the a narrow victory from David Baker, with Trevor Burke (North Road Club) in third and James Jackson in fourth.
Results.
Team Pursuit.
1.) Cambridge CC
2.) Team Welwyn
3.) PCA/Ciclos Uno
Sprint.
1.) John McClelland: Agiskoviner
2.) James Jackson: PCA/CiclosUno
3.) Robert Cox: Cambridge CC
10 Mile Scratch
1.) John McClelland: Agiskoviner
2.) David Baker: PCA/CiclosUno
3.) Trevor Burke: North Road Club
4.) James Jackson: PCA/CiclosUno
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
One day.....
.......James Whatling will finish a race on the SERRL's Benendon circuit, after having punctured there in the cold and rain in the SERRL stage race in May, and then on Sunday 9th September, breaking a spoke and suffering in the sun.
The SERRL race was the latest round of the Sigma Sport Series and the competiton was strong, with teams from Sigma Sport, Wildside RT, Agiskoviner and Pacific/Flanders all there to work for and to protect their team leaders. The rolling circuit included 11 climbs of a sharp, roughly surfaced climb and although there were some attacks, the pace of the race and the fact that the contenders for the series were watching each other closely meant that the peloton remained together.
On the fifth lap, disaster struck for James on one of the sapping, dragging climbs as he broke a spoke in his front wheel. Although he managed to get a wheel from the first aid car, he wasn't paced back up to the bunch and they steadily pulled away from him. Never one to give up, he pushed on solo for five more laps but was pulled out by the organiser on the final lap, with no chance of regaining contact.
The finishing climb proved influential as the point where the race split and, on the penultimate lap, 8 riders broke clear, including the series leader Gary Dodd (Sigma Sport) and they worked together to hold their lead, with Dodd pulling away to win and consolidate his position in the series.
Results.
1.) Gary Dodd: Sigma Sport RT
2.) Chris McNamara: Wildside RT
3.) Andrew Bye: Kingston Wheelers
4.) John Veness: Kona UK
5.) Tom Copeland: InGear Development
The SERRL race was the latest round of the Sigma Sport Series and the competiton was strong, with teams from Sigma Sport, Wildside RT, Agiskoviner and Pacific/Flanders all there to work for and to protect their team leaders. The rolling circuit included 11 climbs of a sharp, roughly surfaced climb and although there were some attacks, the pace of the race and the fact that the contenders for the series were watching each other closely meant that the peloton remained together.
On the fifth lap, disaster struck for James on one of the sapping, dragging climbs as he broke a spoke in his front wheel. Although he managed to get a wheel from the first aid car, he wasn't paced back up to the bunch and they steadily pulled away from him. Never one to give up, he pushed on solo for five more laps but was pulled out by the organiser on the final lap, with no chance of regaining contact.
The finishing climb proved influential as the point where the race split and, on the penultimate lap, 8 riders broke clear, including the series leader Gary Dodd (Sigma Sport) and they worked together to hold their lead, with Dodd pulling away to win and consolidate his position in the series.
Results.
1.) Gary Dodd: Sigma Sport RT
2.) Chris McNamara: Wildside RT
3.) Andrew Bye: Kingston Wheelers
4.) John Veness: Kona UK
5.) Tom Copeland: InGear Development
Jackson earns his stripes.
You might be forgiven for thinking that this might be Malcolm Eliiot winning the Bob Chicken London Grand Prix above, and you'd be right, but if you look just behind Malcolm's victory salute, you can see young James Jackson taking fifth in the race and the biggest result of his young career thus far.
The race was held at a relentless pace from the start and even though eventual winner Elliot (Pinarello) and Dean Downing (Rapha/Condor) worked an early move, this was soon extinguished by a peloton wise to the danger these two represented.
Barring a solo escape from Matt Talbot (Rapha/Condor) the pace of the race kept everyone together and, as the race reached it's finale, James was holding position well in the top 10. As they started the final lap, James just had to make things a little bit harder for himself and decided he wanted to work his way up from the back of the field! Demonstrating just how strong he is, sure enough, come the final bend he was at the head of the race again and, managing to the avoid the crash that affected a lot of the other riders, unleashed his sprint to finish closely behind the experienced Elliot.
Results.
1.) Malcolm Elliott: Pinarello RT
2.) Andy Tinsley: Bioracer Onimex RT
3.) Warrick Spence: Cyclefit-Serotta
4.) John Mozley: Merlin Racing Team
5.) James Jackson: PCA/Ciclos uno
Saturday, September 8, 2007
A night at the track with Action Jackson.
James Jackson ended his first season competing on the track at the final meeting of the 2007 Welwyn Track League and underlined his growing stature as an all round track rider with a selection of fine performances in front of a good sized crowd.
Competing in the Senior Class A category, only the collective effort of Agiskoviner's experienced John McClelland and Joel Stewart could prevent James from taking victory in both the 10 lap Scratch and the Points race, but the experience he has gained from competing in the season long Welwyn League should stand him in good stead for the forthcoming Eastern Region Track Championships.
Results:
Senior Class A.
10 Lap Scratch
John McClelland (Agiskoviner)
James Jackson (PCA Ciclos Uno)
Joel Stewart (Agiskoviner)
10 Lap Points
Joel Stewart (Agikoviner)
James Jackson (PCA Ciclos Uno)
Robert Cox (Cambridge)
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