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Millard takes podium place
9th July 2008
Wednesday 9th July saw two members of Team Plowman Craven competing in the Guildford GP.
Team Captain Tony Gibb and James Millard lined up against a classy field in terrible conditions, making the tiny 600 metre cobbled circuit like an ice rink. The duo quickly moved to the front of the peleton controlling the race in such dangerous conditions. Despite riding at the front of the group after only a few laps Gibb crashed heavily on the cobbles, remounting he was quickly back in the thick of the action trying to make the race as safe as possible.
With 15 minutes covered Matt Stephens (Sigma) broke clear of the peleton and over the coming laps built a small advantage. Gibb and Millard shared the work keeping Stephens in sight, however a few laps later Gibb slipped again on the cobbles and retired from his injuries. Millard took up the pace sharing the work with Warrick Spence (CycleFit) and Jody Crawforth (Arctic Premier) held the gap at 15 seconds. With 20 minutes covered they lost Spence's assistance due to a crash and the peleton had now been whittled down to a small group under the pace and the conditions.
The rain now began to fall heavily once more and the race looked in jeopardy, Stephens was riding well on the straights meaning the only chance of catching him was to take risks in the more technical corners. Despite reeling in the Giro D'Italia veteran, Chris Legg jumped across. Millard began to turn the screw in the front shedding riders from the rear of the group as he began to pull back the duo.
The lap board however was running out and following a late attack Legg took the win ahead of Stephens, Millard led the chasers in a few seconds later having led the sprint out from the 600 metre mark.
After the podium presentation with Gibb's fellow EuroSport commentator Stephen Roche, Millard talked through the race. "We decided to control the race to try to make it as safe as possible, but even being cautious we lost Gibby. I was trying to slowly bring back Matt when the young lad jumped across I made the decision that it was too dangerous to risk everything on just one race. Third is my best result here so I'll take it away and hopefully come back next year."
Results
1. Chris Legg (AWCycles.co.uk)
2. Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport/Specialized/Sportful CT)
3. James Millard (Plowman Craven RT)
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