Follow britishcycling.org.uk on

Report: CDNW RR League - Round 3

REPORT: Elite 1,2

The Cycling Development North West caravan made its way to the north west Lake District this weekend where the River Derwent decants Bassenthwaite Lake and flows near the picturesque market town of Cockermouth. The third event in the season long series set off eastwards from Cockermouth along quiet roads, parallel to the much busier A66 and on a simple circuit around Setmurthy Common, with only three junctions it tested the riders strength and endurance where the heavy roads and strong north westerly winds took their toll. Team Sky's Ben Swift surprised riders and organisers by turning up to ride the event and after the race whilst having his photograph taken with fans he explained that as he was in the area, rather than go for a training ride on his own he thought it a good idea to get some training in with a group before heading off to the Criterium Internationale next week.

The pattern of the race was very soon established when on the first lap at the back of the course a break of seven riders established themselves, comprising of Scott Thwaites (Endura Racing), Robert Hassan (Endura/Pedal Power Development Team), Tom Barass and Ashley Finn, (Cycle Premier Metaltek), Stuart Reid, (Team Herbalife Wheelbase), Jack Pullar (Vanilla Bikes.com), and Kit Gilham (Sigmasport Specialized).

Lead group

When they turned left at Isel Lane towards the finishing line they had managed to establish a gap of 32" and as the main group completed the junction two riders set off after them. This was the start of the chase group which soon formed and included Robert Crampton and Callum Nicholson, (Team Wallis Cycles), Alistair Rutherford (ScienceinSport.com), David McGowan (Team UK Youth), Giles Harrison (Activ Cycles Corbridge) and Matthew Robinson (Allterrain Cycles).

Chasing group getting a time check from Commissaire Iain Walker

As the race progressed the two groups put more time in to their respective pursuers so that on lap 3 the leaders were 1'50" ahead of the chase group and 2'40" ahead of the main group. It appeared as though this was going to be the template for the race finish until the chase group approached the bell, as they made their way around a right hand bend the driving peloton caught sight of them.

Once they were in their sights then the gap soon diminished. On the final lap tactics came in to play, Cycle Premier Metaltek with two riders in the break and Endrura Racing's Scott Thwaite supported by their development squad rider Hassan, took it in turn to break up the group until Thwaite, Gilham, Barass and Hassan, got away from the remainder of the group.

At the finish with a strong cross wind it was a two up race on the long draggy finish with Thwaites just getting the better of Barass. The long unrelenting climb to the finish tested the legs of those who had been in the break. McGowan held on with Grahame Sumner (GB Fire Service RT), Duncan Moralee (Sportscover) and Jack Cousins (Wills Wheels) and Adam Duggleby (ScienceinSport.com) taking the greatest advantage for their efforts and caught the remnants of the breakaway in their final ascent from Cockermouth with Sam Jackson (Team Herbalife Wheelbase) unrelenting, completing the top ten.

Scott Thwaites (Endura Racing) beats Tom Barras (Cycle Premier Metaltek)
with Rober Hassan (Endura/Pedal Power Development Team placing third.

3,4,W

John Rigby (Maxgear RT) was a deserved winner in this race which completed 5 laps of the undulating circuit. Making his break with a lap to go it was a courageous and spirited effort as he battled along the tough Cumbrian roads in strong winds to take a solo victory. Gary Vose (Lune RCC) used his experience to time his sprint to perfection to beat Peter Ware (St Helens CRC) and Sam Clark (Buxton CC/ Sett Valley Cycles).