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!