2008 News Archive
2007 News Archive
Plowman Craven cap American tour with 7th place
21st April 2008
Plowman Craven ended their stay in the American state of California with a fine 7th place by Scottish team member Evan Oliphant in the second day of the Sea Otter Classic, based on the Laguna Seca Motor Racing Circuit.
As part of the American NRC Series there was fierce competition from the 130 assembled riders over the smooth asphalt. With Gale force winds creating dust clouds so thick they reduced visibility to 15 meters at times, such conditions and a steep climb encountered each of the 31 laps led Plowman Craven's Evan Oliphant to later describe the race as "one of the toughest I have ever ridden".
The majority of the larger professional squads present were based in California and the pressure was on them to perform on home territory making for a tactical race. With the event underway the pressure was immediately applied at the front with an attack by two riders, as the duo gained a healthy lead the chase was taken up by the Colavita squad. The break was slowly reeled in but the strain was telling even at this early stage, as the two riders were enveloped there was an immediate counter attack.
Now two Successful Living riders sat 30 seconds in front of the peleton with riders sensing the danger attacks tried to bridge the gap, Rock Racing forced the pace and David Clinger launched across the gap with a third rider from the Successful Living team. At this crucial time Plowman Craven set the pace taking Oliphant to the front and providing a spring board for him to attack at the bottom of the incline, the scot powered up the slopes but missed reaching the quartet by a few lengths at the top and with the winds it proved impossible to close further ground on the descent.
With 16 laps remaining the race was in tatters with only 60 riders left. Now Plowman Craven gambled on forcing a small group clear, this was achieved the next time up the climb as the pink and blue train again led Oliphant. This time a split was successful and the Scot began bridging across to a group of 8 riders a minute ahead in the savage wind, with 12 laps remaining he made the junction. Not content with this, the following lap he again split the group. But as the Oliphant group lapped the circuit they simply could not close the gap on the leaders. As they hit the bell lap Oliphant took his chance, attacking and riding solo to the finish being caught by 2 other riders within sight of the finish to take 7th place.
After the race Oliphant explained "This was one of the hardest races I have ever competed in, with the cross winds on the flat and the head winds on the descent from the climb. It was a war of attrition and I hoped we would eventually reach the front of the race, unfortunately we didn't make it. But I was happy with my current condition and hope to capitalize on it upon my return to the UK".
Team Manager Garry Beckett added "I was pleased to see how the lads rode today in such hard conditions, we tried to follow up yesterdays win but unfortunately it wasn't to be. We return to the U.K. on Monday and will be looking to utilise the form gained from this trip in the coming weeks".
Results
1 Michael Granbinger - Team Successful Living
2 Brian Jensen - Team Successful Living
3 David Clinger - Rock Racing
7 Evan Oliphant - Team Plowman Craven
28 Neil Coleman - Team Plowman Craven
35 Simon Gaywood - Team Plowman Craven
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