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

Patten gets back on the horse....and wins!

On a filthy wet Thursday evening (is there any other kind?!) at Ford's Dunton test track, four of the Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac Racing Team lined up for the second of Team Economic Energy's Summer Series. Sporting the wounds from his 55kph crash at the World University Championships, Dan Patten was back and racing again on home turf and was joined by Martin Bryant, Ian Franklin and James Whatling and, although the weather was doing it's best to dampen the spirits, everyone was looking forward to a good race....somehow we're learning to love the rain this season!

The race started in a more laconic fashion than usual, with everyone content just to ride tempo for a fews laps until James Whatling started hostilities with a typical attack on the back straight. The bunch, ever alert to the dangers of a breakaway at Dunton, quickly snapped onto James' back wheel and the chance was gone. That set the tone for the rest of the race as James, Dan, Ian and Martin took it in turns to attack and counter attack, only to be reeled back in by the ever more negative peloton, who seemed quite content to chase everything down and wait for the bunch sprint.

With five laps to go, Dan Patten finally managed to break the elastic as he made a move over the top of the circuit's small hill and, joined quickly by Dan Staite (Python RT), the hard working pair were never seen again as the bunch finally lost interest in the chase. Dan Patten crowned a brave comeback performance with his second (and the team's third) win of the season with Dan Staite taking second. Behind them, the inevitable bunch sprint was won by Dennis Van Gaveren (Lotto Olympia Team Interbike) with Ian Franklin sprinting well to take 8th and Martin Bryant rounding out the top 15.

Results:

1.) Dan Patten: Ciclos Uno-Plowman Craven-Isaac RT
2.) Dan Staite: Python RT
3.) Dennis Van Gaveren: Lotto Olympia Team Interbike
4.) James Jackson: Plowman Craven RT

Kogan leads the team at the SERRL Stage Race.

With Dan Patten riding the World University Championships and Ian Franklin opting to compete in the Reg Cogman Road Race, Martin Bryant, Daniel Kogan and James Whatling headed south of the river to compete in the 3 day, 4 stage, SERRL stage race over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Saturday’s stage was held at the Betteshanger circuit near Dover on a warm but windy day and, with 33 laps of the circuit totalling 120 km of racing, it was going to be a war of attrition. Although not a massive field, with 47 riders on the start line and a strong local team presence with Citihub, Norwood Paragon and Dulwich Paragon, the race was always going to be an interesting one.

The pace was high from the minute the race rolled off, as Daniel and Sport Beans/Wilier rider, Billy-Joe Whenman, hit the front trying to break the field. The first hill signalled the first real attack as Dan Staite (Python RT) clipped off the front and, always looking for an early break, Daniel Kogan followed. Soon the two riders had pulled out a sizeable gap and with James and Martin policing the bunch, the move looked as though it had a good chance, although with 32 laps of racing still to go, it was going to be tough work for Daniel and Dan Staite.

Soon another two riders in the form of Darren Barclay, (Arctic-Premier RT) and Robert Willcocks (Ajchva Limoux) jumped across to the break and the four riders worked well together until the pace proved too high for Willcocks and Barclay and they were both dropped. This left just Dan Staite and Daniel Kogan to plug away and, with their lead rising to over a minute on a chasing group of five, it looked like the two would indeed stay away. With just under ten miles to go Daniel began feeling the pace and decided to let Staite do the majority of the turns. Coming into the final lap with well over a minute's lead on the chase, Dan Staite attacked on the climb and soon put considerable distance into Kogan who try as he might couldn’t back on terms. Coming into the finish Staite took a very deserved win with Kogan coming across the line 45 seconds later for 2nd and the chase group led in by Mike Hawkins of Norwood Paragon came in a minute after that.

Stage one result:

1.) Dan Staite: Python RT
2.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
3.) Mike Hawkins: Norwood Paragon
4.) Billy-Joe Whenman: Sport Beans/Wilier
5.) Robert Willcocks: Ajchva Limoux

Stage 2

Stage two, at Chilham, was a 10 mile time trial and torrential rain on the way down to the start near Ashford was not a welcome sight. Yet with the first rider off at 11am the rain soon parted and thankfully the sun shone over the rolling out and back course, which included a difficult short kick to test the tired legs at the end. With James Whatling proving a very strong time triallist the team were quietly confident of another podium, but first up was Martin Bryant who clocked a very respectable 24.53 on his road bike with no time trial equipment. With 21 min and 22 min times filtering in James knew he needed to do a good ride and, despite feeling heavy legged after a good workout on the first stage, he rode well and chalked up a 21:49 to put him in 3rd place, just 2 seconds off second and 26 seconds off the winner. The penultimate rider to start, Daniel was also without the advantage of any time trial equipment but he rode his socks off to post a 23:10, leaving him safely holding second place on GC.

Stage two result:

1.) Matt Miles: Sydenham Wheelers
2.) Nigel Haigh: Sportscover
3.) James Whatling: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
4.) Robert Willcocks: Ajchva Limoux
5.) Dan Staite: Python RT

Stage 3

Stage three was a short sharp 80km, finishing at the top of the fierce 2km Whiteleaf Hill, and was always going to test the legs of those that had dug deep in the time trial. The stage was peppered with attacks, trying to test the resolve of Dan Staite in the leader’s yellow jersey. With the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team riding strongly on the front to pull back any escapees that would endanger Daniel Kogan’s second place overall, the race entered the final lap with just a pair of riders away from the bunch. With tired legs everywhere, a flurry of attacks went on the penultimate climb of the day and the alarm bells rang for Daniel Kogan as first Billy-Joe Whenman (Sport Beans/Wilier) and then Nigel Haigh (Sportscover) pulled away. Not wanting anyone to overtake his team mate on GC, and knowing that a hill finish suited Kogan, James Whatling took to the front and time trialled 5km to the foot of Whiteleaf Hill, stringing out the bunch and pulling all of the escapees back into the peloton in a powerful display of team riding. Daniel Kogan hit the foot of the climb in the lead but was shadowed by a very strong Billy-Joe Whenman and the leader Dan Staite. Whenman timed his attack to perfection and although Kogan and Staite were gaining on him in the final metres, Billy-Joe took the win from Steve Saunders (Kingston Wheelers) and Dan Staite. Daniel Kogan took 5th and, more importantly, increased the time gap on those wanting to overtake him on GC.

Stage three result:

1.) Billy-Joe Whenman: Sport Beans/Wilier
2.) Steve Saunders: Kingston Wheelers
3.) Dan Staite: Python RT
4.) Gareth McCullough: Medway Velo
5.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT

Stage 4

The fourth and final stage was held on Bank Holiday Monday on the Tenterden circuit in Kent and, along with most of the country, the weather was wet and windy making the final 130km a true test of the riders’ strength. With relatively small time gaps on GC, the race was always going to be a tactical one but the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team held firm, with James Whatling and Martin Bryant riding for long periods at the front, shutting down any dangerous attacks for Daniel Kogan. After many attempts to wrestle himself clear, Billy-Joe Whenman did get away eventually with Gareth McCullough (Medway Velo) and established a good gap, but the time was always managed by Whatling and Bryant who worked tirelessly to prevent the leaders from gaining too much on their man Kogan. On the last lap, with the pace increasing in the bunch, it looked as though the escapees might be caught but, with 5km to go, a fallen tree on the circuit put paid to the hopes of the break as they unwittingly overtook the lead car and were disqualified. It was bad luck for Billy-Joe Whenman who had ridden hard all weekend and deserved to win the stage. The bunch had a chat as they waited for the tree to be moved and then rolled off again, ready for a bunch sprint, which was taken by Meurig James (Citihub) from Kevin Knox (Dulwich Paragon). Daniel Kogan rolled in with the bunch to secure second place overall after a strong and gritty performance from start to finish. This was a fine display from the first year senior and to place second to an in form Dan Staite has to count as one of Daniel’s finest results and signalled his growing stature as a rider to watch. Dan Staite was imperious throughout the race and took home a thoroughly deserved victory.

Stage four result:

1.) Meurig James: Citihub
2.) Kevin Knox: Dulwich Paragon
3.) Malcolm Whitehead: Kingsnorth Int. Wheelers
4.) Simon Warren: Norwood Paragon
5.) Chaz Hollosi: Gemini BC

Overall General Classification:

1.) Dan Staite: Python RT
2.) Daniel Kogan: PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac RT
3.) Matt Miles: Sydenham Wheelers
4.) Robert Willcocks: Ajchva Limoux
5.) Mike Hawkins: Norwood Paragon

Despite not being able to field the full team, this was a very successful weekend for the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team with 2nd place on stage one, 3rd place on stage two, 5th place on stage three, Daniel Kogan's 2nd place overall, James Whatling's 13th place overall and the team prize....not a bad haul for a three man team!

There was also some sterling team riding from both James and Martin and the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team were without doubt the strongest team in the race. With next weekend's Eastern Division Championships on the horizon, and a full team entered and raring to go, things are looking very promising!