Braveheart Blog - Basque Racing

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/DiaryPost.asp?id=1085


In July, I travelled over to the Basque Country to do some racing and make the most of my good form when there is not much on back in the UK. It was a brilliant trip, well worth it. I really loved the terrain, the people and the racing.

I stayed for two weeks with an U23 rider, Ander Barrenechea and his family in Galdakoa. They were very kind and generous. They took me to see two stages of the Tour in the Pyrenees which was awesome! I would like to thank them very much for everything they did and for letting me stay with them.

At the races I was riding for Ander’s team, Ibaigane Opel. The managers were really helpful, sorting out all my entries and licences I needed and during the races where they would support me for feeding etc.

I was really happy how I got on in the races especially in the two elite races I did, where I got 10^th and 14^th.They were fast and furious going up and down, and had a lot of strong riders from many different countries around the world.

LXXXIV BEASAINGO LOINAZ KLASIKA – Elite race

My first Elite race was the day after my U23 race. It was a hilly 95 mile Classic in Beasaingo, on a cool, really wet day - similar to Scotland!

It was a really big event as there were lots of Elite teams from across Spain, many of them feeder teams for the professional teams like Caja Rural and Andalucia.

It was really fast from the gun, similar to a Premier calendar. After the first two climbs, the bunch was down from 150 riders to only around 40. After that, on the fourth climb, a break of 8 got away and I bridged across to it on the descent.

We worked well together and got well clear of the bunch. By the time we hit the last two climbs my legs started to struggle as everyone was attacking each other. The last one in particular was a killer.

I finished 10^th, 2^nd U21. Really happy considering the riders I was competing with.

The winner, Jose Belda, drives the bunch on first climb and rides away from everyone on the second - I'm in the green/blue jersey second from the right

The bunch gets decimated on the 3rd climb 

I made the break after the fourth climb and we gained a good gap from the rest

The Finish

22 CLASICA BAIONNE PAMPLONA – Elite race

My 2^nd elite race was the following weekend on much better day. It started in Bayonne, France and finished in Pamplona, Spain which is on a high plateau.

Caja Rural, one of the best teams in Spain, dominated the race. On the main climb that goes up to 800 m altitude, there was 9 of them drilling at the front. The bunch got whittled down until there were about 40 of us left.

The last 30km were very fast as they were trying to catch a lone French elite who was a minute ahead. Surprisingly he survived to win. I finish 14^th after my legs went 400 m to the line

In my two U23 races I got 16^th then 8^th place. They reminded me of my Junior racing as they were non stop attacking all day.

My experience in the Basque Country was brilliant. It gave me a good insight into racing abroad other than Belgium and the system of progression in the Basque country. I definitely want to go back in the future.

My next target is the last two premiers at the end of the month, Twinning PRO-AM tour and especially the Richmond GP as the course suits me well.

Cheers

The publicity caravan comes past us as we wait for the riders on the Luz Ardiden

We made the most of the free jersey's as it was freezing 3km from the top!

Sanchez and Venendert are the first to arrive - the Basque fans were going mental at this point!

I messed up taking a pic of the favourites but here's George Hincapie..

Luis Leon Sanchez and Jens Voigt

Robert Gesink

The Grupetto

Me and Ander at the border on the way home

Stunning views of the Pyrenees

Bilbao

Braveheart Blog - East Yorkshire Classic Premier

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/DiaryPost.asp?id=1083


Sunday was the East Yorkshire Classic Premier Calendar in Beverley.

I was feeling really fit and strong as I had just come back from some brilliant racing during my trip to the Basque Country. I’ll write about that in another blog.


July’s been a great month, form and fitness wise, so much better than I was in the spring. This race was full of power climbs, a bit different from the long climbs I rode in the Basque Country.

The first 20 miles of the race was on big wide, fairly flat roads, so it suited the big guys of the bunch more. My plan was just to keep myself out of trouble until a crucial turn off at the 23 mile mark, where I had to be at least in the top 15 as it goes into single track, undulating, country roads, which is a magnet for bunch splits. I have to thank the guys in my team for their help in doing that.

Further on, the race went into the 3 hilly laps, the highlight of the race with some sticky climbs and fast, technical descents to contend with. I did my best to be in as many moves as I could. It was only a matter time before the bunch whittled down to around 30 riders with the attacking pace being set. I was in there making sure I didn’t use too much strength and energy.

During lap 2, I made it into the winning break of the day. It contained most of the strongest riders in the race. More importantly, all the top teams were represented so there was little chance of us been chased down by the bunch. There were 14 other riders with me and 3 each from the Endura, Rapha and Motorpoint teams.

Guys like Tiernan-Locke and Bibby stepped up the pace on each of the last two major hills. Everyone was suffering and on their limit. Cramp was starting to set in my legs and I was forced to pace myself on the climbs, I was dropped with a few others but we were able to chase back to the group on the descent.

The 2nd hill, the 16% Nunburnholme climb at 70 miles, was the most severe of the whole race. As soon as we hit the climb, I knew my legs wouldn’t keep up with the top guys. 4 or 5 of us got distanced from the leading group.  I did the best to limit my losses and I pressed on as hard as I could after the summit.

I grouped up with Andy Tennant of Rapha, Gallagher of Cycle Premier and Yanto Barker of Pendragon. We held the group ahead at 30 secs for 5 or so miles but after that, the leaders went well out of sight.

We had over 4 mins over the bunch behind, but we had 30 miles of racing still to go so we had to keep ploughing on as fast as we could.

After reaching the finishing circuit, two and a half laps to go, we were starting to toil. The laps don’t look much but when you’ve been flat out for 20miles, they were a killer. The finish couldn’t come any quicker.

During the last lap, a motorbike guy came up and warned us the bunch was chasing hard about 45 secs behind us. After so much effort I had put in, no way was I letting myself be caught. I gave it everything.

By the finish, I crossed the line 3 secs ahead of the pack. Close one!

Jeremy Hunt of Team Sky comfortably won the sprint for first place and I finished 15^th, 2^nd U23. Completely gubbed but happy with my performance.

Cheers

Video of the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGtq1L137vE&feature=channel_video_title

Link to Endura's report:

http://www.enduraracing.com/Item.aspx?dept_id=5&item_id=300

Braveheart Blog - British Champs and Arthur Campbell Super 6

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/DiaryPost.asp?id=1071


British Champs

Two weeks ago I was racing the British Senior Road Championships near Newcastle. My target was to get up there for the U23 title.

The course was 3 big laps taking in the steep Ryals climb and then 4 smaller laps on rough draggy roads to cover over 122 miles in total and with most of the British Protour riders as well, it was the longest and toughest race I’ve ever done.

The Ryals climb

Team Sky were in a league of their own and were well away after the first hour. So after that it was race within a race with U23 title still wide open. The remaining Sky riders teamed up with the 100%ME academy guys and Endura were riding for their man Scott Thwaites.

I was going strong, not getting caught out of any splits. I made it into the front group when the bunch split in two. The latter bunch got pulled out before completing the last lap. 

However, in the final 2 laps of the smaller circuit, about 20 miles to go, the efforts took its toll on my legs and eventually I couldn’t go with the groups that got away.

I ended up sprinting in for 31^st, a couple of minutes down on them and 4 mins down on 5^th place and first domestic rider, Ian Bibby.

Although I didn’t medal in the U23, I was happy just to finish it as it was the hardest race of the year, a lot of good riders didn’t make it to the finish. The more races at this level I get to do, the better I will improve.

The team after the race

Arthur Campbell Super Six

Last weekend was the Arthur Campbell RR hosted by my old club, the Glasgow Wheelers.

After an early breakaway of the day got reeled back in by a bunch, I eventually made it into the winning break of 8, going into the last lap. The group included my teammates Davy Lines and Gary Hand, Matt Kipling of Team Raleigh, ex Kiwi champ Jason Allen of Subway/Giant and two Herbalife riders.

We were rolling through on the last lap after gaining minute on the remaining pack. But this gap was gradually coming down however a super effort from Davy Lines in the last couple of miles secured our break staying away.

After that, I attacked early on to see if I could go it alone but it came back. We were all looking around at each other with half a mile to go, knowing it would come down to a sprint. One the Herbalife riders took it up until the last corner, when I led out the sprint with about 200m to go.

I crossed the line first with Jason Allan a close 2^nd and Herbalife’s Andrew Hawdon taking 3^rd.

It was a great team effort, the guys really rode well as a team and that’s me now got my elite licence so it was a really good day. Well done to David Lang and the Wheelers for putting on a great event.

Report of the race: http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland/article/sc-scottish-cycling-arthur-campbell-memorial-Report--Sup6r-Six-Arthur-Campbell-Memorial-Road-Race-0

Here's a video of the race: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjfjrIvrZ8E&feature=channel_video_title

Up next for me is a stage race in the Spanish Basque Country which should be brilliant.

Cheers

Braveheart Blog - June Races

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/DiaryPost.asp?id=1067


The races at the end of May/start of June were a bit up and down for me. I was suffering with my usual allergies at this time of year. Not been able to breathe enough to recover from my efforts during races and I have been plagued with bad luck in the mechanical side of things.

I didn't go that great at the Scottish champs, got caught out when a break went away early on and then having to change my wheels twice before getting little room to make a chasing group. It was a losing battle but I didn’t give in. The Ryedale GP didn’t go much better as my rear mech snapped off after 95 mile, putting me out the race. Things started to get better after that.

Anderside Classic

The Anderside Classic was a week later. I was feeling stronger and healthier than I had been a few weeks ago which was a good thing as the end of June is the biggest part of the season for me.

The race was straight forward enough as a small break was up the road including my teammate Davy Lines, and I bridged across Evan, Matt Kipling and a Stirling guy later on. We were all attacking as we headed over the Eaglesham Moors after finishing the circuits but the group kept coming back together.

My last break to get away was on a farm road descent but it was a bit dodgy as it was chucking it down by then. The course turned right onto a bigger road, I eased up preparing for the last couple of miles of cat and mouse, but was surprised when the finish appeared 75 meters round a blind bend. Evan saw it first and took it easily with Matt 2^nd and myself 3^rd.

It was a great course going down to Fenwick and Stewarton, then a couple of laps of last year’s Scottish champ’s course.

Peebles Criterium

During the week was the Peebles Tweedlove criterium. It was on a cracking minute a lap course with a rise before the last corner. There were brilliant crowds there as well.

The winning break

The race split in two around the half way mark and I got away with Callum Wilkinson who was going really strong, Scott McRae and Allan Clark with a few laps to go. I was second into the last corner and I sprinted away from them to take it by a couple of bike lengths. Allan was 2^nd and Callum 3^rd.

Finish

Tour of the Reservoir Premier Calendar

Last weekend was the Tour of the Reservoir Premier. I was feeling strong and really up for it, as the last two Premiers were ruined for me by mechanicals.  

I changed my tactics a bit from the Ryedale.

It worked out better as I was getting moves all the time; I even got in the winning move as it went away. But unfortunately, as I made the effort to get across to it, the toughest climb of the circuit was approaching. I was fine on the drag sections but I just hadn’t recovered enough to stay with them after turning onto the steepest part, so I blew up and got tailed off. I think in hindsight, I would have backed off slightly and then pushed on again when we were back on the drag section.

After that I pushed myself to get in most of the chasing groups, but I started to tire on the last lap. My day’s efforts were taking their toll on me. The bunch was flat out drag race across the dam to the finish and I crossed the line 21^st, 44 seconds down on the winner.

I was happy with my performance though. I was always up there in the mix, rarely out the top 20 in the pack and getting into lots of moves. Just need some more races to get the results.

Here's a good video of the race from the BC website: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7QDh0DlF0s&feature=player_embedded

Really looking forward the British champs next weekend, after that I’ve got the Arthur Campbell RR and then some Spanish racing!

Cheers

Braveheart Fund Blog - Lincoln GP and Scottish Races

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/DiaryPost.asp?id=1060

We’re well into the season now and I’m happy with how things are progressing from last year.

 I have some big races coming up like the Scottish champs and the Rydale GP.

I’ll give you an update on my recent races.

Lincoln GP

 Two weeks ago, it was the Lincoln GP Premier Calendar. Big thanks to Brian Smith and Endura Racing for helping me get an entry. I stayed with the main team but I was riding my own race.  The first half was going well for me; I was strong enough to keep myself in the top 20 and getting a good position for the hard cobbled climb of Michaelgate. That meant that I avoided the splits in the top section after the climb where the bunch always gets strung out to breaking point.

Last year I managed to ride it for the experience but back then, I didn’t have enough speed, skill and strength to last the whole race as I ended up getting caught in a split of 60!

This year I noticed a big difference in my ability to keep up and now compete with the top guys which gives me a real boost.

Unfortunately after the 50 mile mark, when things started to heat up, I was descending the hill and I heard a loud bang! Wasn’t initially sure what it was as it didn’t feel like a puncture, but all of a sudden I felt I was pushing twice as hard!

By this point, the bunch was stretching right out and lots of splits were appearing behind us. I was keen to stay with the front group because I knew going back to the cars would mean race over as they were well behind the splits. I hoped things might ease off and come back together so I could get a new wheel but it didn’t.

Amazed at the difference I felt as soon as my wheel buckled, it turned out my spoke had snapped off! I ended up getting punted; Rob Hayles even tried to give me a push!

Gutted how the race panned out for me. In hindsight I think I probably should have chanced it and gone back to the cars for a new wheel, but now I’ll just have to look forward to the next Premiers.

Scottish Races

The past couple of Scottish races have been going well for me. I was 3^rd at David Campbell RR after a good battle with the two Rapha Condor’s and Evan. It was down to the 4 of us going into the 2 small finishing laps.  

I decided to go for a long one when we were just cat and mousing, but the other three worked together to hold me out there until the last lap climb. I tried to recover a bit before they caught me but once they did, they immediately started to go for it.

I responded to first few attacks, but I soon blew up. Ben and Evan got away and I was stuck with James on my wheel.  I really like this race as it’s got a cracking wee climb in it.

Last weekend was the Sam Robinson RR. After catching the early move of the day on the Duke’s, I got myself into the main break of 9 with my teammate Scott McCrossan for company as well. On the way back we were all taking it quite steady as it was a head wind all the way to the finishing circuit and we were well clear of the rest of the field.

The attacks began after passing Balfron for the first time and it was down to me versus Ben Greenwood and James McCallum going into the last lap. They kept attacking me on the climbs but I was able to respond well. We worked together on the head wind section of the lap.

I was planning to attack after the roundabout because I knew James has a good sprint in him. But, as I went about 400m to go, my left leg suddenly locked up with cramp and they got away!  I was disappointed, after all that racing to finish in that way, without a final fight.  This was my first cramp of this season, not sure why yet.

Scottish champs this weekend which should be good.

Cheers

Braveheart Fund Blog - Tour Doonhame

http://www.braveheartcyclingfund.com/DiaryPost.asp?id=1056

During the Easter weekend, I was racing the Tour Doonhame Premier Calendar in Dumfries. It was a big goal for me and I wanted to improve on my 27^th overall from last year.



At the start of the first day



The weather on day 1 was a shocker! Chucking it down and baltic... The race, though, went well as I was strong enough keep myself out of trouble, avoiding the countless splits in the bunch, punctures and crashes which marred a lot of riders. I did some recce of the stage the week before so I knew what was coming up. I won the KOM at Wanlochead which was good and I got in a lot of breaks especially early on. It was a pity though as they didn’t last long, since you need all the big teams represented or they will chase it down.

A group of eight sneaked away with 10 miles to go. I finished in the next group a minute down, sprinting in to get 15^th and 2^nd U23 so I was pretty happy with that.



Me winning the KOM at Wanlochead



On Day 2, since Matt Cronshaw was in yellow, Team Raleigh controlled the bunch for most of the day. I got in a move before the Dalveen pass KOM with some other guys but it was brought back quickly. After that, I decided to conserve myself and stay in the top 20 as it was unlikely anything would last to the finish.

Rapha took it up and brought the bunch to a sprint finish in Dumfries.  I finished in the first half of the bunch, with same time as the winner.

Jonny McEvoy, Winner of stage 2

The team after day 2

I was 17^th on GC going into Day 3 but there were only a couple of seconds separating me from the top 10 and the U23 title. So the plan was to have a go at the 3 intermediate sprints to get some bonus seconds, as well as the fighting it out at the finish in Castle Douglas.

The guys before the start of day 3

However, for the first one, I couldn’t get myself in a high enough position to sprint it out. The teams were working hard to bring their main men to the front. The other two sprints were written off, as a group managed to get away during the middle part of the stage.

The last few miles were really hectic as every team wanted to get near the front. The top guys used their team mates to move them up so they kept their strength for the sprint to the line   I got myself as high up as I could for the last corner at about 300 metres to go and sprinted in to 11^th place, same time as the winner, Jonny McEvoy.

The finish at Castle Douglas on Stage 3

I remained 2^nd in the U23 but, surprisingly, I moved down on the GC to 18^th on the GC, must have been from stage positioning on stage 2... My team did a good ride, especially Scott McCrossan who did really well, only losing a minute odd after puncturing in the toughest stage on day 1; it was his first premier as well!



Me after the last stage



I‘m really happy overall how it went, considering much of it was controlled by the big teams. I am really looking forward to the rest of the Premiers, as they are one day races where I think the racing will be a bit more open.

Here’s a link to a video of the race: http://www.youtube.com/user/robhassan01