2008 News Archive
2007 News Archive
Smithfield Nocturne is first win for new National Crit Champ
28th June 2007
Just three days after becoming Plowman Craven Evans Cycles' second National Criterium Champion in two years, James McCallum won the inaugural Smithfield Nocturne in Central London this weekend (23 June), outsprinting Rapha Condor's Dean Downing to do so.
The Corporation of London had closed the roads around the London meat market to create a 1 km circuit, including some tight corners and narrow streets, over which riders raced for one hour and five laps. Some third/fourth cat races and several fun events, including a courier race and a Le Mans-style-start folding bike race, kept the large crowd entertained in the lead up to the elite race. A lively commentary was provided by Cycling.tv's Anthony McCrossan and the journalist and cycling fan Robert Elms. Wearing the National Champions jersey especially made for him by Impsport, McCallum was interviewed for the enthusiastic crowd by McCrossan, alongside Saunier Duval's David Millar.
McCallum lined up on the start line with team mates Tony Gibb, Simon Gaywood and James Millard, on a striking all-white Pinnacle frame specially built to match his new National Champions jersey. Although the race was expected by many to be contested by Plowman Craven Evans Cycles and Rapha Condor – two of the strongest teams in the UK at the moment – it was infact Warrick Spence of Cyclefit-Serrota who attacked
Photo © Paul Wright
National Champ McCallum wins at Smithfield from the gun and used his renown fast cornering to quickly open up a substantial lead, much to the delight of the crowd.
The Plowman Craven Evans Cycles squad, together with Rapha Condor and a few riders from other teams, worked hard at the head of the chasing bunch to catch the lone breakaway, and splits soon began to appear behind them. Two distinct chasing groups developed and by halfway Spence could hold out no longer and was quickly reeled in by the determined leading group, which included the Plowman Craven Evans Cycles riders.
Once Spence was caught the race there was no let up in the pace and no mood in the lead group for further attacks to get away. Simon Gaywood put in big turns on the front, keeping the pace high, and both Matt Talbot (Rapha Condor) and McCallum tried to get away but they were swiftly brought back. With just over one lap to go McCallum tried again to break away and despite starting the last lap a few seconds ahead of the chasing bunch he was caught on the back of the circuit. As the riders came out of the last bend towards the finish McCallum was on the shoulder of leader Dean Downing (Rapha Condor), but roared on by the crowd he passed Downing to take the win by a couple of bike lengths.
Speaking after his Smithfield victory, McCallum reflected on his successful week:
"I'm really pleased, two big wins in a few days, what can I say? It's great! I've suddenly come into loads of great form at the right time. My team mates have really helped too in both races, and with support like that it's difficult not to win".
But the new National Champion was also full of praise for Warrick Spence's ride:
"Warrick went out on his own from the start and built up a huge lead, and we all had to work very hard to catch him. It took us 28 minutes to get back the 28 seconds that he'd built up, taking seconds on every lap. It was a fantastic ride by Warrick. It's a great course. I'd love to race on it in the dry to see just how fast I could really go!"
Plowman Craven Evans Cycles also took a spectacular win in a criterium in Southern France over the weekend when Adam Norris won the 50 km Antibes Nocturne. Norris made an early solo break to ride alone for 28 of the 35 laps before being caught with 12 to go. Undeterred he went on to win the gallop for the line. The following day he finished eighth in the Trophee Jean-Luc Schopf, which included the Col de Castillion and the Col de Tunni.
Those Plowman Craven Evans Cycles riders not involved in the Smithfield Nocturne lined up for the start of the 115 mile Ryedale GP the next day (24 June), the latest event in the Premier Calendar series. The race was won by Chris Newton (Recycling) who was part of a group of three that escaped with 50 km to go.
Photo © Larry Hickmott
Jason Allen tries to get Gordon McCauley across to leaders
Although held in Duncombe Park Estate in the picturesque North Yorkshire market town of Helmsley, Ryedale is a hard course and was ridden at a fast pace. As with most of the previous Premier Calendar events this season the attacks began the moment the flag fell, and it wasn't long before a group of six riders had opened a good gap. As the peleton tried to catch them, Plowman Craven Evans Cycles Jason Allen and Freddie Johansson both tried to take team mate Gordon McCauley across the gap, but when the break was eventually brought back with 50 km to go another, and this time decisive, attack was soon away involving eventual winner Chris Newton (Recycling) together with Russell Downing (HealthNet) and Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport).
The breakaway opened up a lead of two minutes on the group of around 11 chasers, and even a puncture for Newton didn't break their momentum. Robin Sharman (KFS) and Gordon McCauley both tried separately to get across to them; riding on his own McCauley at one point managed to half the gap but was eventually reeled in by the chasing group with about 1 1/2 km to go.
Stephens was the first of the three leaders to attack for the line, and as he was pulled back by Downing, Newton countered with what was to prove to be the winning move. The former World Pursuit Champion held the other two at bay to cross the line 13 seconds ahead.
After the race, Plowman Craven Evans Cycles team manger Garry Beckett paid tribute to his riders:
"The boys tried their best today, in what was a hard, hard race. Gordon in particular left everything on the road and fell off his bike at the end. I couldn't ask any more of him, or the team."
Despite finishing seventh McCauley climbs to fourth place in the overall Premier Calendar standings, behind current series leader Newton.
This coming weekend Plowman Craven Evans Cycles had been due to travel to Beverley near Hull in East Riding, Yorkshire for the latest round of the National Circuit Series and the British Road Race Championships, however the event has been postponed due to the recent severe flooding in the area. Instead the squad will travel to Port Talbot to support team members taking part in the National three-up 25 mile Time Trail Championship.
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More information from Jonathan O’Neil: +44 (0) 7956250837 or click here
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