James Jackson took another step in his development, at Team Economic Energy's penultimate circuit race at Dunton on Thursday 9th August, as he held his own with established New Zealand professional, Gordon MacCauley (PCA/Evans Cycles RT).
Gordon and team mate James Millard were using the race at Ford's test track as part of their training for their upcoming races in the Tour of Britain and the Tour of Ireland, but this didn't mean that they were there to make up the numbers. Keen to prove himself against this tough opposition, James marked Gordon's every move and the pair even managed to escape the clutches of a very hard chasing peloton to work together for a lap or so, before being reeled in.
The whole field seemed to have something to prove tonight and the pace was unrelenting, with the bunch often strung out along the whole length of the straights. Despite a lot of hard work in attempting to escape, by the likes of Dean Shannon and Andy Lyons (Heron Cyclesport), Ben Price (Rapha Condor) and the two man tag team that was the PCA Evans Cycles RT, nothing semmed like it would get away until, with a lap and half to go, MacCauley put in a final big attempt to rid himself of the clutches of the bunch....not to mention young Jackson!
He soloed off and managed to hold everyone off until the last kilometre when the capture was made. Somehow James Jackson found himself where he didn't want to be, in front with about 600 metres to go, and although not an ideal situation, he jumped as hard as he could and held off everyone except Ben Price (Rapha Condor) and Steven Griffiths (Glendene CC/Bike Trax) who got around him for the win and second place respectively.
Results:
1.) Ben Price: Rapha Condor
2.) Steven Griffiths: Glendene CC/Bike Trax
3.) James Jackson: PCA/Ciclos Uno
Thursday, August 9, 2007
The James' go time trialling.
James Whatling and James Jackson competed in the Herts Wheelers evening 10mile time trial on Tuesday 7th August and, despite their relative inexperience at the discipline, acquitted themselves well, coming first and second respectively.
The evening was made more eventful by James Whatling's ability to be clumsy at any given time, and tonight he somehow managed to get a stick in his eye as he went to go to the loo in a nearby hedge. It was very painful and left him with a very red eye, perhaps was not the best result when getting married in a few days! The second eventful moment came when our esteemed sponsor, Mr Trevor Maddern, decided to put in an appearance on his scooter to cheer us on along the way. He might, however, have regretted this move as, at about a third distance, the heavens opened, leaving him very wet and the James' struggling to see in the rain and the gloom.
Despite the downpour, and the subsequent need to take it rather steadily at the turn, both the Ciclos Uno riders charged for home and James Whatling won in a time of 21.35, with James Jackson in second place with 22.07.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Jackson works hard for 2nd at Dunton.
James Jackson continued his fantastic run of results with a well earned 2nd place in the latest of Team Economic Energy's circuit races at Ford's Dunton test track.
The latest of the Thursday night series, held on the 2nd August, had it's largest field yet, as word spread about the quality of the racing to be had. James Jackson was quickly into the action, and went almost from the gun trying to tempt a few others to try and escape the bunch. The size of the field was playing a large part in the racing though, with there always being someone willing to pull the break back.
Not to be undeterred, both James' tried time and again to pull away but even when groups began to form, the peloton was quickly onto them, unwilling to let anything get away. James Whatling, perhaps thinking too much about his points needed for his 1st Cat licence, decided to hang back and wait for the finale but James Jackson continued in his quest to break free, working hard throughout the race.
With 3 laps to go, it was the winner of the previous week's race, Daniel Patten (Pacific/Flanders RT) who made the move and, for once, no one seemed too keen to chase. Ben Price (Rapha Condor) decided he wasn't going to let Daniel have another breakaway win and pulled hard on the front of the bunch, instigating the charge to pull the escapee back. The pace was unrelenting for the final two laps and, as the bunch opened up the sprint, Daniel was engulfed, his quest unfulfilled. The sprint was a hectic one, with plenty of pushing and shoving, but Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT) found the gap and managed to make the jump on James Jackson to take the victory. James Whatling came in for 12th, still searching for those points!
Results:
1.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
2.) James Jackson: PCA/Ciclos Uno
3.) Ben Price: Rapha Condor
4.) Mark Beattie: Maldon & District CC
5.) Andy Waterman: Norwood Paragon
The latest of the Thursday night series, held on the 2nd August, had it's largest field yet, as word spread about the quality of the racing to be had. James Jackson was quickly into the action, and went almost from the gun trying to tempt a few others to try and escape the bunch. The size of the field was playing a large part in the racing though, with there always being someone willing to pull the break back.
Not to be undeterred, both James' tried time and again to pull away but even when groups began to form, the peloton was quickly onto them, unwilling to let anything get away. James Whatling, perhaps thinking too much about his points needed for his 1st Cat licence, decided to hang back and wait for the finale but James Jackson continued in his quest to break free, working hard throughout the race.
With 3 laps to go, it was the winner of the previous week's race, Daniel Patten (Pacific/Flanders RT) who made the move and, for once, no one seemed too keen to chase. Ben Price (Rapha Condor) decided he wasn't going to let Daniel have another breakaway win and pulled hard on the front of the bunch, instigating the charge to pull the escapee back. The pace was unrelenting for the final two laps and, as the bunch opened up the sprint, Daniel was engulfed, his quest unfulfilled. The sprint was a hectic one, with plenty of pushing and shoving, but Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT) found the gap and managed to make the jump on James Jackson to take the victory. James Whatling came in for 12th, still searching for those points!
Results:
1.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
2.) James Jackson: PCA/Ciclos Uno
3.) Ben Price: Rapha Condor
4.) Mark Beattie: Maldon & District CC
5.) Andy Waterman: Norwood Paragon
Monday, July 30, 2007
1st Cat for Jackson.....Whatling nearly there!
At the fourth of Team Economic Energy's circuit races at Dunton, on Thursday 26th July, James Jackson secured his 1st category licence after a fantastic ride in support of James Whatling who was in the breakaway.
As usual, the field for these circuit races at Ford's Dunton test track was strong and, with the addition of James Millard and Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT), there was always going to be some team tactics in play. This happened earlier than expected when Adam broke away with Dean Shannon (Heron Cyclesport), Ben White (Finchley RT) and Daniel Pattern (Pacific/Flanders RT). Millard sat up on the front of the bunch and then, after the break had established itself, launched himself off the front of the bunch to bridge across to the leaders.
Sensing that this would be the move of the race, James Whatling buried himself to get on Millard's wheel as he powered across the gap. Once the junction had been made, James recovered enough to help drive the fast moving break and they worked well to pull further and further away from the chasing bunch. Back in the pack, James Jackson was the perfect team mate, making a nuisance of himself (as ever!) to disrupt the chase and even tried to bridge across to the break himself but the wind and the pace of the leaders proved too much.
With 5 laps of the race remaining, James Millard decided he wanted to go it alone and managed to get a fair gap before the break deemed his escape too dangerous and reeled him back in. Daniel Pattern immediately countered and, after the effort of pulling Millard back, no one wanted to chase again and Daniel powered away for the final few laps to take a much deserved win. Ben White (Finchley RT) and James Millard clipped off the front of the break in the final stages to finish 2nd and 3rd and Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT) won the sprint for 4th, with James Whatling coming in 9th. James Jackson took the bunch sprint comfortably and his 12th place gave him enough points for his 1st cat licence.
Results:
1.) Daniel Pattern: Pacific/Flanders RT
2.) Ben White: Finchley RT
3.) James Millard: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
4.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
5.) Dean Shannon: Heron Cyclesport
As usual, the field for these circuit races at Ford's Dunton test track was strong and, with the addition of James Millard and Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT), there was always going to be some team tactics in play. This happened earlier than expected when Adam broke away with Dean Shannon (Heron Cyclesport), Ben White (Finchley RT) and Daniel Pattern (Pacific/Flanders RT). Millard sat up on the front of the bunch and then, after the break had established itself, launched himself off the front of the bunch to bridge across to the leaders.
Sensing that this would be the move of the race, James Whatling buried himself to get on Millard's wheel as he powered across the gap. Once the junction had been made, James recovered enough to help drive the fast moving break and they worked well to pull further and further away from the chasing bunch. Back in the pack, James Jackson was the perfect team mate, making a nuisance of himself (as ever!) to disrupt the chase and even tried to bridge across to the break himself but the wind and the pace of the leaders proved too much.
With 5 laps of the race remaining, James Millard decided he wanted to go it alone and managed to get a fair gap before the break deemed his escape too dangerous and reeled him back in. Daniel Pattern immediately countered and, after the effort of pulling Millard back, no one wanted to chase again and Daniel powered away for the final few laps to take a much deserved win. Ben White (Finchley RT) and James Millard clipped off the front of the break in the final stages to finish 2nd and 3rd and Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT) won the sprint for 4th, with James Whatling coming in 9th. James Jackson took the bunch sprint comfortably and his 12th place gave him enough points for his 1st cat licence.
Results:
1.) Daniel Pattern: Pacific/Flanders RT
2.) Ben White: Finchley RT
3.) James Millard: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
4.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
5.) Dean Shannon: Heron Cyclesport
Monday, July 16, 2007
Alarm clocks and punctures...
James Jackson and James Whatling had planned to race the SERRL event on Sunday 15th July but a badly set alarm clock and a (slightly!) later wake up than planned meant that they missed the start, and instead raced in the Southern Counties Cycling Union Championships on a fast and rolling course at Crowhurst.
A good field gathered to race the 79 miles on a hot and humid day in Sussex, and with strong teams from AW Cycles and Wildside RT, tactics were always to play a large part in the outcome of the race. Both James' were very active from the off, attacking off the front and trying to break the race up, whilst the other sat back, ready to counter any moves. As more and more riders tried to break away, the two man Ciclos Uno team had it's work cut out, and when James Jackson punctured and a large group went up the road, James Whatling just didn't quite have enough left in the tank to follow.
No neutral service meant that the in form Jackson had to play his part from the roadside, handing up much needed bottles and giving time gaps and this information was invaluable in attempting the chase. However, with plenty of riders in the peloton refusing to work because they had team mates in the break, the gap was widening lap by lap. By the penultimate lap, a chase of sorts had been organised, with Daniel Pattern (Pacific-Flanders RT), Henry Furniss (Bike and Run) and riders from Norwood Paragon leading the charge. With the bell sounding for the final lap and a gap of 40 seconds, it looked all over, but the break were sighted within the last 2 miles and the chase for the finish began.
Although the breakaway was never quite caught, it was a close run thing at the finish as the sprint at the finish showed who still had the strength in their legs to compete. Gary Dodd (Sigma Sport) took the victory ahead of Rob Enslin (AW Cycles) and Toby Neave (Wildside RT) while James Whatling followed in for 20th.
Results:
1.) Gary Dodd: Sigma Sport RT
2.) Rob Enslin: AW Cycles
3.) Toby Neave: Wildside RT
4.) Martin Smith: AW Cycles
5.) Andrew Bye: Kingston Wheelers
Jackson wins again at the TEE 2!
Eight wins this season and counting!
James Jackson threaded his way through the bunch with 500 metres to go and then kicked hard to win the second of Team Economic Energy's evening races by a bike length. For a young man that had raced only a handful of BC events last season and had to win a race in Majorca to gain his second category licence, James has now amassed 152 points and will shortly be moving on to the realms of the first cats.
Both James Whatling and James Jackson raced in the second of Team Economic Energy's evening races at Ford's Dunton test track and, with a larger and stronger field than the previous week, the racing was always going to be fast and furious. Attacks went in from the start but, with a large and attentive bunch, none of the moves were given their head before being reeled in.
Despite good attacks from James Whatling, Andy Lyons and Dean Shannon (Heron Cyclesport), Dominic Shils (Interbike RT) and Martin Smith (AW Cycles) the bunch stayed together for the bunch sprint which James Jackson negociated to emerge victorious once again!
Results:
1.) James Jackson: PCA/Ciclos Uno
2.) Ben Price: Rapha/Condor
3.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
4.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
5.) Ben White: Finchley RT
James Jackson threaded his way through the bunch with 500 metres to go and then kicked hard to win the second of Team Economic Energy's evening races by a bike length. For a young man that had raced only a handful of BC events last season and had to win a race in Majorca to gain his second category licence, James has now amassed 152 points and will shortly be moving on to the realms of the first cats.
Both James Whatling and James Jackson raced in the second of Team Economic Energy's evening races at Ford's Dunton test track and, with a larger and stronger field than the previous week, the racing was always going to be fast and furious. Attacks went in from the start but, with a large and attentive bunch, none of the moves were given their head before being reeled in.
Despite good attacks from James Whatling, Andy Lyons and Dean Shannon (Heron Cyclesport), Dominic Shils (Interbike RT) and Martin Smith (AW Cycles) the bunch stayed together for the bunch sprint which James Jackson negociated to emerge victorious once again!
Results:
1.) James Jackson: PCA/Ciclos Uno
2.) Ben Price: Rapha/Condor
3.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
4.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
5.) Ben White: Finchley RT
Jackson Number 1 at North Weald!
James Jackson continued on his winning ways with another victory at the TLI evening series race at North Weald airport on Tuesday 10th July.
James looked like a man on mission to win when, from the off, he attacked and got away from the bunch. Pulled back in by some hard work at the front of the peloton, James didn't even feel the need to rest as he got on with chasing down other attacks and making breaks of his own. As the race progressed, James showed his strength further in what would become an imperious display, in fact, he spent nearly all of the race either on the front of the bunch stringing it out, or out on his own in yet another powerful attack.
The finale further proved James' strength when, with half a lap to go, James found himself in a bad position, leading out the sprint. Not a problem, he just opened it up and pulled away from the rest, giving himself enough time to freewheel across the line to victory!
James looked like a man on mission to win when, from the off, he attacked and got away from the bunch. Pulled back in by some hard work at the front of the peloton, James didn't even feel the need to rest as he got on with chasing down other attacks and making breaks of his own. As the race progressed, James showed his strength further in what would become an imperious display, in fact, he spent nearly all of the race either on the front of the bunch stringing it out, or out on his own in yet another powerful attack.
The finale further proved James' strength when, with half a lap to go, James found himself in a bad position, leading out the sprint. Not a problem, he just opened it up and pulled away from the rest, giving himself enough time to freewheel across the line to victory!
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