2008 News Archive
2007 News Archive
Plowman Craven Evans Cycles lead national rankings
2nd April 2007
Plowman Craven Evans Cyclestook the overall lead in the national team and individual rankings this weekend after the Tour of the Reservoir in Co. Durham.
In
a closely contested sprint for the line, Gordon McCauley’s second
place saw the New Zealander top the individual rankings ahead of rivals
Robin Sharman, Alex Dowsett and Dean Downing, while a strong team effort
throughout the race ensured Plowman Craven also top the team rankings.
McCauley attacked almost immediately as the field of 103 riders began seven laps of the hilly 144 km race overlooking Derwent Reservoir. When a group of about 20 riders joined him, including Plowman Craven team mates Tony Gibb, Simon Gaywood and James McCullam as well as Sharman, Downing and Dowsett, they soon established a gap of about 20 seconds on the main field. By lap three the group had lost a few riders but the gap had settled at around a minute and a half, having reached over two minutes at one stage.
As the group began the prime climb on lap four with 50 km to go, Tony Gibb attacked and quickly established a lead of 25 seconds. Downing, Dowsett and Sharman drove the chasing group hard, closely watched by Plowman Craven’s Gaywood, McCullam and McCauley. With two laps to go the chasing group had reduced the gap to around twenty seconds when McCauley, Sharman and Downing split from the front eventually catching Gibb at the foot of the prime hill. These three remained ahead of the bunch until the end, joined only by Jason McIntyre (Velo Ecosse) whose efforts to join them meant he could do little but sit on the back of the group.
On the last prime climb Downing attacked but McCauley caught him as the leaders approached the finish. With Sharman at the front and McCauley close on his wheel, Downing made a sudden jump past the pair and managed to hold a slight lead over McCauley to cross the line first.
Speaking after the race Gordon commented:
“That was a hard race. My team mates Tony (Gibb), Simon (Gaywood) and James (McCullam) drove the leading group hard and dropped a lot of riders, and Tony’s lone break thinned the group out even more; he was unlucky to loose both wheels when he hit a massive pot hole on the descent and that lost him a lot of time. Robin (Sharman) was also unlucky to need two bike changes and he deserves respect for rejoining the leaders both times and still taking third. Dean got the jump on me in the sprint and took the win, but it was close and I’m confident that next time I’ll catch him”.
Simon Barnes, Team founder and boss of Herts based Geomatics company Plowman Craven, added:
“Another podium position and another good Team effort to get us there. It’s fantastic that Gordon’s leading the rankings and I’m just as excited that we’re also leading the Team rankings. I’m convinced that our strength in depth as a Team will really pay dividends as the season progresses and that we’ll be able to defend both titles”
Next week Plowman Craven Evans Cycles head north of the border to ride the Girvan stage race in Scotland, where the benefits of a strong and well-drilled squad will come into their own during three tough days of riding. Team members Tony Gibb, Gordon McCauley, Jason Allen, Simon Gaywood and James Taylor will also be riding the Good Friday track meeting at Herne Hill.
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More information from Jonathan O’Neil: +44 (0) 7956250837 or click here
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