Ian's baptism of fire at the Hillingdon GP.

Saturday 17th May was a wet and cold one at the Hillingdon cycle centre, and Ian Franklin was the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team's lone representative at this year’s Hillingdon Grand Prix. All was going well and correct preparations had been made for Ian to have every chance of a good days racing until Ian repeated his bad luck at the Lincoln GP and punctured during his warm up laps. Having only noticed when waiting for the off, Ian was forced to take the first lap of 54 out to change his wheel.

Not the ideal introduction into the National Circuit Series, Ian then had to ride hard to get up to the pace of the bunch when they came around for the second lap. Once settled in the pace was very fast, perhaps not the ideal day for testing his new Isaac, and continued that way for the entirety of the race as the strongest teams took in it turns to send men off the front, forcing the other teams to chase them down. Just as the race seemed as though it couldn't get much faster, things really started to hot up as the Plowman Craven RT and Rapha/Condor Recycling took to the front for the last ten laps and forced the pace even higher to lead their men out for the sprint.

This increase of pace proved just a bit too much for Ian, as a newcomer to the National Elite circuit series, and he lost contact with the bunch, forcing him to drop out. Disappointed with the result, Ian can only improve as a result of the race and will take away important knowledge to build on his own experience, standing him in good stead for his next appointment with the National Circuit Series, at the Smithfield Nocturne.

The race ended in a bunch sprint, with Graham Briggs (Rapha/Condor Recycling) taking the win ahead of Tony Gibb (Plowman Craven RT) and Jon Mozely (Pearl Izumi RT).

Results:
1.) Graham Briggs: Rapha/Condor Recycling.co.uk
2.) Tony Gibb: Plowman Craven RT
3.) Jon Mozley: Pearl Izumi/Planet X/ High 5 RT
4.) Simon Holt: Rapha/Condor Recycling.co.uk
5.) Paul Crook: Beyond MTB

Thanks to Larry Hickmott/British Cycling: www.britishcycling.org.uk for the photos.

Two Dans in the Top 10 at the BUSA Championships.

Saturday 17th May saw the BUSA RR Championships take place in Harby, Leicestershire and the team were represented by our Loughborough University duo, Daniel Kogan and Dan Patten.

Just under 50 riders lined up for the 150 km race and a strong field included Pete Williams (York University/Pinarello RT) and Richard Hepworth, (Manchester University). Facing the riders was a 13 mile loop that would climb the mile long Harby Hill every lap for 7 laps. With a chill in the air and rain on the horizon the start was a cautious one but proceedings soon warmed up when a clear favourite for the win, Pete Williams, attacked half way up Harby hill. Knowing how dangerous this was Dan Kogan jumped with him and nullified the attack. 

With the severity of the climb taking its toll, the bunch was soon down to a mere thirty riders. With both Dans watching the moves it was clear Harby hill was to be the deciding factor in the race and, climbing it the second time, Dan Kogan attacked and pulled out a small gap on the steep slopes. Over the top a group began to form as Pete Williams, Richard Hepworth, Dan and two other riders slipped away. The bunch were still relatively strong at this early stage in the race and weren't ready to see the race go up the road yet, and within 4 miles the race was all back together again.

With a lull in the action Dan Patten tried an attack and when he was caught Dan Kogan countered and took Hepworth away with him. The two worked well together, sharing the load, and they soon pulled out a 50 second gap on the bunch. Seeing the danger Peter Williams soloed across and the three riders extended their lead to just under 2 minutes. Again though a chasing group of eight formed and after a good hour and a half in the lead Daniel Kogan's group merged with the chase group which then came all back together with the bunch where Dan Patten was biding his time.

Just when it seemed that hostilities might be suspended for a while, with the race coming back together, Pete Williams attacked again and soon was out of sight, his blistering speed not allowing anyone to get on terms. With the race looking like a lost cause and with two laps to go Dan Patten slipped away with another rider on the headwind section and applied the pressure, steadily pulling out a lead of what was left of the bunch. Coming into the finish Pete Williams came in over a minute clear, taking a well deserved win, with Dan Patten riding in an impressive 3rd and Dan Kogan sprinting in with the bunch to take 9th.

Both the Dans put in impressive performances and, although disappointed to have missed out on the win, they both rode strong races and represented the team fantastically with a podium place and both guys in the top 10.

Results:

1.) Pete Williams: Pinarello RT
2.) David Weir: Coalville Wheelers CC
3.) Daniel Patten PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
4.) Christopher Croxford
5.) Richard Hepworth: Wakefield CC-Exponential
6.) Jack Adams: Pendragon Sports
7.) Steven Guymer: Avila Rojas-Ceuta
8.) Lee Tunnicliffe: DH Cyclesport.co.uk
9.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
10.) Joshua Andjelkovic: Maxgear RT

Six minutes of TV time at the Rutland-Melton!

Cycling.TV recently aired their coverage of the East Midlands Cicle Classic (Rutland-Melton) on Eurosport and the British Cycling TV player, and the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team had logged their fair share of TV time thanks to Dan Patten's 120 km breakaway...and Ian's involvement in the pile up around Rutland water!

The team's sponsors benefitted from just under six minutes of exposure on television across the UK and Europe and you can guarantee that the team will be lining up in their forthcoming Premier Calendar outings aiming for more fantastic results and further positive promotion.

Watch the coverage for yourself on British Cycling's TV Player at: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid980097404/bclid987241992/bctid1552695113

Scant reward at Dunton.

On Thursday 15th May, Martin Bryant, Ian Franklin and James Whatling lined up for the first of Team Economic Energy's evening series at Ford's Dunton test track. The sunshine of the weekend at the Lincoln GP seemed a million miles away on one of the wettest evenings in a long time, and the field of 35 were soaked to the skin within a couple of laps.

The weather didn't dampen the ferocity of the opening laps though, with the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team and the other stronger riders driving the race to try and split things up. James was in an attacking mood and was well backed up by Ian and Martin on the counter attack, but the bunch were in an especially negative mood and always worked to pull back any moves.

With only about six riders prepared to make a race of it, it looked as though no one would escape, until James managed to get away with what was a strong five man group, including the hard riding Andy Lyons (Heron Cyclesport), Alistair Tullett (Arctic/Premier) and Graham Galvin (Team Economic Energy). With the break working well together for a few laps and Ian Franklin doing his best to police the bunch behind, it looked as though the grip of the peloton had been broken but, when Andy Lyons dropped back to pull team mate Adam Norris up to the break, the momentum was lost and the bunch made contact again. Whilst the break were away, Martin suffered a mishap, falling on the climb, and decided to call it a night.

The bunch had let a move escape once and weren't prepared to let that happen again, so when the bell sounded for the final lap and the field were still together, a bunch sprint was inevitable. Inevitable maybe, but Andy Lyons wasn't going to be part of it so he took his chance and slipped away just before the bell. The bunch stopped chasing, happy to sprint for second place.

Andy took a much deserved win as he was always at the sharp end of the race and clearly the strongest on the night. James attacked hard to try and pull clear over the last kilometre but the bunch were glued to his wheel and a bunch sprint ensued, with Adam Norris completing a Heron Cyclesport 1-2. Ian sprinted well to take sixth and James rolled in with nothing to show for his hard work on the night.

Results:

1.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
2.) Adam Norris: Heron Cyclesport
3.) Glenn Smith: Maldon & District CC
4.) Matthew Carden: Team Quest
5.) Ed Graefe: Team Economic Energy
6.) Ian Franklin: PCA Ciclos Uno

In the heat of battle at the Lincoln GP.

On Sunday 11th May, the day of the Lincoln Grand Prix, something was wrong. Something was happening that the people of Lincoln weren't used to on Lincoln GP day, and that the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team have become completely unaccustomed to this season. The sun was shining and was going to add to the heat generated by the 148 racers ready to do battle around the centre of Lincoln.

Having ridden the course the day before and knowing what they had to do, the full team lined up on Sunday with the cream of British cycling, all fighting to be first to the foot of the fearsome Michaelgate climb. To be armed with the knowledge that you need to be at the foot of the 1 in 6 cobbled climb as close to the front as possible is one thing, but it is no mean feat when the whole field are all trying their hardest to do the same!

Ian Franklin rode strongly at the start and was very close to the front until a lot of riders took advantage of a missing marshall and slipped ahead of him, through some cones on a corner entering Lincoln for the first time. Some hard riding meant that Ian didn't lose too many places and hit the cobbles of Michaelgate about mid bunch, at almost exactly the same time as Daniel Kogan and James Whatling. Dan Patten was one of the riders luckily (and cheekily!) making the most of the marshall's absence and pushed hard up the climb a little closer to the front of the race as it lined out and split through the town. Martin Bryant, already suffering from a bit of a stomach bug, struggled with the early pace of the race and was to pull out soon after the first lap. Ian, never comfortable riding his spare bike, packed on the second lap but had acquitted himself well in early exchanges, just missing out as the race split.

With Dan Patten safely in the bunch, James Whatling and Daniel Kogan got their heads down and dragged themselves up to the safety of the bunch, with James pulling a big turn to get the pair back on just before the descent into Burton Village. With the field lined out chasing a break containing some of the best riders in the race, moving up to the front was getting harder and, as the bunch climbed Michaelgate for the second time, the race split once again. The Dan's found themselves in the chase group as James slipped back into a group riding hard to make contact again but slowly lost ground on the leaders, and his race was over when the commissaire pulled the group out of the race after the sixth ascent of Michaelgate.

The Dan's were both riding strongly in the heat but were unlucky when the race split once again and they found themselves on the wrong side of it. Always driving their group and pushing hard up Michaelgate wasn't enough to make contact with the next group on the road and their race was also ended by the commissaire with just three laps to go. It was a shame to have to stop racing so close to the end but the Dan's can take a lot of positives from their first experience of this tough race, having ridden their hearts out but ultimately being undone by their positioning in the first couple of laps. The Lincoln Grand Prix is a unique race and the experience will benefit them in the years to come.

Up ahead the big guns were firing and on the final lap Simon Richardson (Plowman Craven RT), Russell Downing (Pinarello RT) and Dean Downing (Rapha Condor/Recycling) were away and fighting it out for the win. The Downing brothers were first onto the final climb of Michaelgate, with Russell edging ahead of Dean to take the win in Castle Square.

Results:

1.) Russell Downing: Pinarello RT
2.) Dean Downing: Rapha Condor Recycling
3.) Simon Richardson: Plowman Craven RT
4.) Chris Newton: Rapha Condor Recycling
5.) Kit Gilham: Kinesis UK
6.) Tom Southam: Team Halfords Bike Hut
7.) David McCann: Giant Asia RT
8.) Rob Hayles: Team Halfords Bike Hut
9.) Malcolm Elliott: Pinarello RT
10.) Marcin Bialoblocki: Sports Beans-Wilier

Thanks to Larry Hickmott/British Cycling: www.britishcycling.org.uk and Eddie White/Pearl Izumi RT: www.pearlizumiracingteam.com for the photos.

Dan Patten is ECCA Champion!

On Sunday 4th May, the team lined up for the Eastern Counties Cycling Association (ECCA) Senior Championships at High Easter, Essex and were rewarded with beautiful weather, which has been something of a rarity this season!

After a long neutralised section the race got underway and straight away the attacks started, instantly stringing out the field along the Essex roads. Although the early moves were frequent, the bunch made sure they were unsuccessful, reeling in any attempts to break free. The PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT were ever present at the front of the bunch, working hard to make sure we were represented in all of the moves. Daniel Kogan got away in a what looked like a dangerous group, with teams such as Wildside RT being represented with Mark Daly. However, yet again, with the attacks from the peloton, it was not long before this was swallowed up. As the race headed back onto the main section of road towards Leaden Roding, Dan Patten punctured just as the attacks were in full flow. As Dan rolled back through the peloton Martin Bryant, team player that he is, offered a wheel but Dan told him to go on, and went back for neutral service. A mix up occurred as Martin also stopped and then found it hard to get onto the back of the car pacing Dan back up to bunch. As Dan made his way through the convoy, Martin just couldn't quite make contact with the bunch and his race was over, a real shame after his gallant gesture.

On the second lap, Ian Franklin made a classic counter after an attack from Dan Kogan had been nullified, and soon formed what would become the break of the day containing about 8 riders, including Stephen Skuse (Wildside RT). With Daniel Kogan and Dan Patten slowing things down at the front of the bunch, the break soon got a about a minute's gap. With the break seemingly established, Dan Patten decided it was time to join the leaders and took Mark Daly (Wildside RT) and a few other riders across the gap to the leaders.

With a large group of 16 riders at the front including Dan Patten and Ian Franklin from the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT, Chris Macnamara, Stephen Skuse and Mark Daly (Wildside RT), Kevin Chambers (API-Metrow) and Phil Hetzel (Ipswich BC). This was the move of the day, but with so many of the top riders in it, there were always going to be a number of passengers, so it was no surprise when, a lap later, the lead group was split under the attacks of Wildside RT. Knowing he had to be in any move that contained those riders, Dan Patten went with the break and found himself in the final selection with Mark Daly, Phil Hetzel, Matt Seaton (Rapha/Condor) and Chris Macnamara, and a few other riders who all worked hard to pull it out further.
Once away it became a hard working group with everyone tapping through and doing their turn. Ian Franklin, having done a great job making the initial break, was now in amongst the rest of the break which were later swallowed up by the bunch.

Into the last 10km and it wasn't long before the expected attacks came from the Wildside duo. Chris Macnamara was determined to get away and Dan tried to make sure he followed any attack from him or Mark Daly. It seemed as though Wildside had played it perfectly, with the other riders in the break seemingly more interested in beating Dan for the ECCA Championship than chasing the two from Wildside for the win. With about 2km to go, Chris Macnamara attacked again and, with no one chasing, it proved to be the winning move and he held out to take the win. Neil Chapman (Maldon CC) rider then attacked but went too early and Mark Daly and then Dan rounded him before the line to take second and third. It was a well worked Wildside RT 1-2, but with these riders not eligible for the Eastern Counties Cycling Association, Dan Patten took the title and becomes the ECCA Senior Champion 2008.

A couple of minutes later the bunch arrived, containing Daniel Kogan who had done a fantastic job policing the bunch, James Jackson and Stephen Griffiths (Glendene/Bike Trax CC) who had done a lot of work in the race to pull things back, but with numbers working against them, were unsuccessful in doing so. Ian Franklin, having worked hard throughout the race rolled in a little later, but pleased to have helped to form the shape of the race.

Results:

1.) Chris Mcnamara: Wildside R.T.
2.) Mark Daly: Wildside R.T.
3.) Daniel Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
4.) Vince Divine: Finchley R.T.
5.) Edward Whitehorn: Glade C.C

Thanks to Simon Gooderham for the photos: http://good.zenfolio.com

The Dans go top ten at Mallory Park.

The 1st May saw the first High 5 Mallory Park Circuit Race of the Summer, and the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT's Loughborough contingent were representing the team, with Dan Patten and Daniel Kogan keen to test their form before the ECCA Senior Championships.

With the race supported by one of their sponsors, Pearl Izumi were intent on a good showing in the race and they were on the offensive from the start to try and split the race. Dan Patten and Daniel Kogan worked hard, taking long turns on the front
to pull the breaks back and keep things together, but with riders not prepared to help out, a break of four succeeded and managed to pull out a good gap on the bunch.

The pressure on the front of the chasing pack meant that the race split into three groups with Dan Patten and Daniel Kogan in the chase group, but there was no consistency within the group to pull back the leaders, with Pearl Izumi riders disrupting the chase to allow their team mates to stay away.

With the leading group still were hanging out at about 80 seconds and with a lap to go, Dan Patten put in another attack going up the drag for the bell and managed to pull out a gap. Looking around to see a Pearl Izumi rider on the front trying to pull him back in, Dan put his head down and stayed away to take 5th place, with Daniel Kogan riding well for 9th. Good team riding kept the lead group away and Jeroen Janssen (Pearl Izumi) took the win from his team mate Stephen Adams.

Results:

1.) Jeroen Janssen: Pearl Izumi-Planet X-High 5
2.) Stephen Adams: Pearl Izumi-Planet X-High 5
3.) Andrew Stuart: Ashfield RC
4.) Robert Friel
5.) Daniel Patten: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
6.) Raphael Deinhart: Pearl Izumi-Planet X-High 5
7.) Stephen Dring: Team Echelon-Spiuk
8.) Matthew Charity: Go Sports Spex RT
9.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
10.) Richard Bellamy: Ashfield RC