2008 News Archive
2007 News Archive
Richardson scores two podium places in two weeks
2nd April 2008
Plowman Craven's Simon Richardson notched up his second Premier Calendar podium place in the space of a week when he took third place in the Tour of the Reservoir in Co. Durham at the weekend (30 March). Five days earlier the 24 year old rider from Bristol had also finished third in the Girvan Three Day stage race over Easter.
Although the final placings in the Tour of the Reservoir point to the big three UCI-registered teams once again dominating the domestic race scene, the top three finishers each effectively rode alone without the backup of their squads.
Richardson and Downing, together with second-placed Kristian House of Rapha, were the main players in virtually every key move throughout the race, beginning in the first mile when they got away from the peloton along with Tom Southam (Halfords), Richard Meadows (Pezula Racing) and Steve Adams Pearl Izumi).
Not until almost half of the race had passed, and the gap grown to around a minute and a half, did the peloton begin to respond. The initial attack came from Plowman Craven's Alex Higham, together with James Stewart (KFS) and Marcin Bialoblocki (Sports Beans), but it was not until they were joined by eight others, including Evan Oilphant, Tom Barras and Rapha's Dean Downing and Rob Partridge, that they looked likely to catch the leaders.
The two groups eventually came together with some 40 miles remaining, but within ten miles House attacked hard on the final climb of the circuit and only Richardson and Russell Downing were strong enough – and watchful enough – to go with him.
Despite making the move House allowed Richardson and Downing to drive the break, clearly undecided about what to do having left team mate and team leader Dean Downing behind in the chasing bunch. By the final lap Rapha team tactics were clarified and House was back in the race as the trio began to plan their final moves.
Downing was first to test his rivals, gaining a few bike lengths on the final climb. Richardson was on to him quickly and as the riders came over the top of the climb he launched an attack of his own, which was similarly pulled back by the other two. With 300m to go it was House's turn to attack, and his move looked to be a winner until the relentless Downing managed to dig deep and pass him with 50m to go.
Simon Richardson was pleased with his long day at the front of the race:
"When we went clear on the first lap I never thought we would be away all day! When Kristian attacked for a second time he went really hard and I'm pleased that I managed to go with him and to then stay away.
"Although the final lap was fast I felt comfortable, but I clearly need to work on my sprint; I just didn't have that extra snap in my legs that the other two did.
"The Team is off to race in the States next month, including a big crit, so I'm hoping to have some more speed by the time I return. We're also doing a couple of stage races, both of which have lumps in them so I'm hoping for some results too."
Due to the cancellation of April's British Premier Calendar races, Plowman Craven will travel to the US for three races in California. The eight man squad will ride the Redlands Classic (3-6 April), Garrett Lemire Memorial Grand Prix (13 April) and the Sea Otter Classic (17-20).
The team will return in time for the fourth round of the Premier Calendar series, the Chas Messenger Two Day at Long Crendon in Bucks on 3/4 May, however they will quickly leave on their travels again to take part in the 2008 Ras in Ireland (18-25 May). Due to the cancellation of another national series event, this time the Crawley Town Centre Circuit Race in West Sussex, Plowman Craven can now compete in the eight day international FBD Insurance Ras, one of the most prestigious and well-known neo-pro races. The event will be excellent preparation for the Team's second appearance in the Tour of Britain later in the year.
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