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2008 Race News Items - Index:
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Girvan 2008 on TV | Downing Holds off Partridge to Win the 39th Girvan | Stage 4 Re-routed due to Snow & Ice | Partridge Denies Rapha 3-in-a-Row | Double Whammy for Downing | Russ Downing Wins Stage 1 / The Men in Form / Girvan Field Tops 100 / Gibb Triumphs in Soens Classic / Race Route Published / New UK Pro Team Launch /
BC Unveils 2008 Premier Road Series |
| Girvan 2008 on TV |
(Published 3rd Apr 2008) |
British Cycling, in association with cycling.tv and British Eurosport, produces highlights programmes of all the Premier Calendar road races. The 2008 Girvan programme is now available to view on the British Cycling TV Player.
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| Downing Holds off Partridge to Win the 39th Girvan |
(Updated 24th March 2008) |
Russ Downing's Pinarello team rode a canny stage which saw the double stage winner run out as overall winner by a mere 4 seconds from Rob Partridge. The 72 mile stage had to be re-routed over lower ground due to snow and ice lying on the descent from the summit at Nick o' the Balloch. The 'killer' climbs of Glenalla and Nick o'the Balloch had to be dropped with only the 1st Cat climb of Hadyard Hill being retained from the original route.
Former race winner Kristian House (Rapha Condor Recycling) won the final stage, which was sponsored by ScottishPower renewables, from Liam Holohan
(Pearl Izumi RT) and the evergreen Roy Chamberlain (Team Corley Cycles).
House was the only rider to seriously threaten Downing's overall lead when he escaped with three others late in the stage to open up a lead of 48 seconds. That was getting a bit too close for Downing's comfort. A few more seconds added to the 15 second bonus that would go to the stage winner - and it started to look like House could become a member of the exclusive 'two Girvan race wins club'. Pinarello weren't having any of it though and urged their man in yellow to get everything out in a frantic chase to limit House's gains. Downing responded with a superb effort that took him to sixth place, 37 seconds behind House - enough to claim the yellow ScottishPower renewables Race Winner's Jersey.
Evan Oliphant failed to retain his lead in the Carrick Gazette King of the Mountains competition which went to Ian Bibby (ScienceinSport - Trek) after a late points gathering spree saw him win the final two hill primes on Hadyard Hill and The Screws.
The Endura Hot Spot Sprints competition went
to Peter Williams (Pinarello RT). Leading 2nd Category rider overall was Scott Macrae (Pedalpower.org - Endura). To add to his good day in the hills Ian Bibby also took the prize for highest placed Under 23 rider overall. Rapha Condor Recycling held on to their top place in the team classification helped in no small way by House's stage victory.
Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven RT) was top Scot overall in sixth place after a day which saw him make a strong but short lived break over Hadyard Hill in company with team mate Simon Richardson.
LINKS TO: Stage 4 Results including final GC (PDF/202KB)| Stage 4 Report by Carl Lawrenson (PDF/13KB) |
Girvan Report with photos on the VeloResults web site.
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| Stage 4 Re-routed Due to Snow & Ice |
(Updated 24th March 2008) |
Due to ice and lying snow on high ground, Stage 4 was re-routed and missed out the passes of Glenalla, Nick o' the Balloch and Tairlaw.
See Stage 4 Route page for brief details of the amended route.
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| Partridge Denies Pinarello 3-in-a-Row |
(Published 23rd March 2008) |
Rob Partridge denied the Pinarello RT a hat trick of stage wins with his victory in Sunday's Stage 3 of the Girvan. Rob was one of 21 riders who went clear of the peloton about two thirds into the 90 mile run from Newton Stewart to Girvan.
With the selection made and the peloton over 6 minutes in arrears there were frequent attacks from the lead group in the closing 15 miles of the Dumfries & Galloway Council sponsored stage. But at the finale it was Partridge who was first over the line with Plowman Craven RT's Simon Richardson taking second from Matt Cronshaw of Team Kinesis UK.
Russ Downing, Pinarello RT, finished safely in the lead group to hold on to his yellow race leader's jersey with second and third spots on GC now being occupied by Partridge and Richardson respectively. Gary Hand retained his Carrick Gazette King of the Mountains lead as did Peter Williams in the Endura Hot Spot Sprints competition.
Monday's final stage is a 72 mile test around the hills of South Ayrshire including categorised ascents of Glenalla, Hadyard Hill and Nick o' the Balloch. Hot Spot Sprint locations are in Crosshill, Kirkmichael and Straiton.
LINKS TO:
Stage 3 Results (PDF/84KB) | Stage 3 Report by Carl Lawrenson (PDF/12KB) |
Girvan Report with photos on the VeloResults web site.
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| Double Whammy for Downing |
(Published 22nd March 2008) |
Russ Downing - Pinarello RT, defended his race lead in the the finest possible style by adding the Stage 2 criterium to his opening stage win earlier in the day. On a bitterly cold evening many of the riders struggled to stay with the peloton which split into several groups early on.
Several breakaway groups got away but none gained a significant lead and as the race swung into the finishing straight it was the yellow jersey of Downing which could be seen at the head of the gallop. A thrilling bunch sprint saw the race leader stamp his authority on affairs, taking the win by half a length from
Tomorrow, Stage 3 takes the riders on a scenic route through the Galloway hills and back to Girvan starting in Newton Stewart at 11 am.
LINK TO: Stage 2 Results (PDF/79KB) | Stage 2 Report by Carl Lawrenson (PDF/8KB) |
Girvan Report with photos on the VeloResults web site.
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| Russ Downing Wins Stage 1 |
(Published 22nd March 2008) |
Russ Downing - Pinarello RT, won the opening stage of the race in Girvan today from brother Dean Downing- Rapha Condor Recycling and Scotland's Evan Oliphant - Plowman Craven RT. defending champion Ian Wilkinson - ScienceinSport Trek took 4th just ahead of a peloton fragmented severely by the punishing pace set in an all action stage which averaged 25.4 mph.
Gary Hand of the new Pedalpower.org.uk - Endura team was the stage's best climber and wears the polka dots of the Carrick Gazette King of the Mountains jersey when the hills rsume in tomorrow's Stage 3 in Dumfries & Galloway. There was further celebration in the Pinarello RT camp when Peter Williams donned the green jersey of Endura Hot Spot Sprints leader.
Russ will start stage two - the fast and furious race around Victory Park in Girvan - in the coveted ScottishPower renewables leader's jersey. Further details to follow.
LINK TO: Stage 1 Results (PDF/162KB)
Stage 1 Report by Carl Lawrenson (PDF/11KB) |
Girvan Report with photos on the VeloResults web site.
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| The Men in Form |
(Updated 21st Mar 2008) |
With less than a day to the start of the 2008 Girvan, recent race results have shed some light on the men most likely to be setting the pace in the Scottish classic. In last weekend's 3-up Team Time Trial at Musselburgh it took a fine second place by the Pedalpower - Endura trio of Gordon Murdoch, Gary Hand and Scott Macrae to deny Rapha Condor Recycling a clean sweep at the top end of the results. With the Rapha team now based in south Ayrshire for their Girvan recce they fielded nine riders in the east coast classic. Top dogs were
Rob Partridge, Dale Appleby and 2006 Girvan winner Kristian House who powered in 25 seconds ahead of the Pedalpower boys.
Alex Coutts (Giant Asia RT) heads to Girvan from the warmer climes of the Tour of Taiwan which finished recently. The Scots pro complemented his 8th place on stage three with 13th on the final GC. One of the quiet men of the peloton, Alex lets his legs do the talking and, even as a member of a composite team, he is certainly one to watch at Girvan.
The Premier Calendar Series opener - the Bikeline 2-day in north Wales two weeks ago - was an animated affair with all the top teams eager to open their 2008 PC account with a win. Plowman Craven RT rider Evan Oliphant was delighted with his stage two win and went into the third and final stage with high hopes. However, despite some strong and determined riding by his team, the Scot was unable to wrest the orange leader's jersey from Rapha Condor Recycling captain Dean Downing on the final stage and had to settle for second overall behind 'Deano'. Evan is being tipped by some pundits to be the first Scots rider to win at Girvan since Andy Ferry in 1987.
There was further good news for Scots supporters when Plowman Craven RT announced that Commonwealth Games medallist James McCallum had been passed fit to ride at Girvan following his crash in the recent Eddie Soens event on Merseyside. With James - the reigning British Criterium Champion and Tony Gibb - twice winner of the 'crit' stage at Girvan in their ranks the pink and blue Plowman Craven jerseys are sure to be at the head of affairs on stage 2, the crowd pleasing Saturday evening circuit race.
LINKS TO: The Contenders - Tips for the Top on Scottish Cycling's web site | Interview with Rapha Condor Recycling team manager John Herety on VeloResults web site | Bikeline 2-Day report on British Cycling's web site | Tour of Taiwan web site
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| Girvan Field Tops 100 |
(Published 7th Mar 2008) |
With just over two weeks to the 39th Girvan Cycle Race the field has topped the 100 rider mark with all the UK's major road teams participating. Last year's winner Ian Wilkinson returns to defend his title with a strong ScienceinSport.com - Trek squad. Other riders hoping to secure a second win in 'The Girvan' are Kristian House, Rob Sharman, Malcolm Elliott and Rob Hayles.
The 'home nation' is well represented with possibly the strongest Scottish contingent in recent years. Ross Creber and Evan Oliphant ride for their pro teams with plenty more talent to be found in the Scottish club teams entered by Dooleys Cycles RT, East Kilbride RC, Glasgow Couriers and Pedalpower RT. Gordon Murdoch, winner of the 2007 Division 1 Road Series, has already found fine form in early season races.
Former Scottish champions Paul Rennie and Stevie Russell, both experienced Girvan riders, will doubtless make their presence felt while Giant Asia RT pro Alex Coutts comes to the event with quality miles in his legs after a solid performance in the recent Tour of Langkawi. Coutts will be joined in the composite Anglo-Scot Team by Granite City RT man Alister Watt. Ali knows the Girvan roads well, is always in the action and was highest placed Scot overall in the 2005 Girvan when he took 11th spot on final GC.
Race Organiser Ian Sinclair said, "I am delighted by the high quality of the entry for this year's race and it's especially pleasing to see so many Scottish riders and teams taking up the 'Girvan challenge'. With the event being so early in the calendar this year I can't guarantee sunny weather but, given the abundance of talent in the field, I can confidently predict that we're going to have some red hot racing on the roads around south west Scotland this Easter."
With less than 20 spaces still available riders who have yet to enter the race are advised do so without delay.
LINK TO:
Competitor List on this site
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| Gibb Triumphs in Soens Classic |
(Updated 1st Mar 2008) |
Many of the stars who will be looking to shine in this year's Girvan battled it out over 50 cold and windy miles in the 47th Eddie Soens Memorial Handicap Race at Aintree Racecourse on Merseyside today. But it was 2007 Girvan stage winner Tony Gibb (Plowman Craven RT) who beat a field of more than 130 riders, including former Girvan winner Kristian House, to take the honours ahead of Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk) and Jon Mozly (Pearl Izumi - Planet X). Gibb's victory saw him equal the
record of four wins held by the promoting club's Doug Dailey.
Sponsored by Silverbeck Rymer Solicitors and organised for Kirkby CC by Girvan race announcer and Merseyside cycle sport stalwart Carl Lawrenson, the event is one of the true classics of UK road racing.
With the 2008 Premier Calendar opening Bikeline 2-Day event just a week away, the riders packing the top end of the Soens race result should give the pundits an early indication as to who will be firing the opening shots in the other early season 'PC' events.
LINK TO: Soens Race Report & Results on British Cycling Web Site | Eddie Soens Memorial Race Web Site
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| Race Route Published |
(Published 4th Feb 2008) |
The route for the 2008 race has been announced. In devising the course, Race Organiser Ian Sinclair has adopted the usual 'mix and match'' approach - familiar roads used in a differing combinations. This provides competitors with what is, effectively, a different route those used in the previous 38 editions of the event.
The stage order follows the familiar format of a road stage and the Girvan circuit race on Saturday followed by road stages on Sunday and Monday. Once again Dumfries & Galloway Council are supporting Sunday's Stage which will bring the riders from Newton Stewart to Girvan by way of the south Galloway hills.
Commenting on the route Ian said, "With the main trunk roads carrying an increasing amount of traffic our choice of roads is becoming rather limited. Nonetheless I'm confident that we've managed to maintain the true character of the race with a course that will, as always, see a worthy winner pull on the ScottishPower renewables Race Winner's jersey on Easter Monday."
LINKS TO: Stage 1 Route | Stage 2 Route | Stage 3 Route | Stage 4 Route all on this site
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| Rapha Condor Recycling Team Launch |
(Published 25th Jan 2008) |
Britain's latest UCI registered pro-continental team - Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk - was officially launched at a packed Singapura restaurant in the heart of central London last night. Featuring several Girvan race and stage winners in its line-up, the team is a merger of the Rapha Condor
team and the Recycling.co.uk outfit
which has been a leading development road team for young riders in recent years.
Dean Downing, the only member of the Rapha Condor team to be retained in 2008, will be joint team leader
with former World and Olympic track medallist Chris Newton. Newton won the British Cycling Premier Calendar Series title last year but will hand over the defence of his title to Downing to focus on his preparation for the points and team pursuit events at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Downing, better known as 'Deano' to his fans, commented, "My season will very road based. My target will be the Premier Calendar this year but I will also be looking for good performances that will get me selected for the international races as well."
Recycling.co.uk boss Charlie Jackson will be the team's general manager with the hugely experienced John Herety retaining his role as Director Sportif.
LINK TO: Rapha Condor Recycling Team launch story on the British Cycling web site
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| BC Unveils 2008 Premier Road Series |
(Published 16th Nov 2007) |
British Cycling's Road Commission has unveiled the 2008 Premier Calendar Elite Road Racing Series with what promises to be the strongest line up of events in the history of the Series. The number of events in the series stands at 10 with the new Tour of Wessex scheduled to join the Series in 2009.
The 2008 series will be a combination of the old and the new with classics such as the Girvan 3-Day and Lincoln GP being joined by series newcomer the Chas Messenger 2-Day. Some of the more recent additions to the series, including the Tour of Pendle and the Richmond GP, will again be providing single day specialists with a chance to shine. Peter Harrison's Beaumont Trophy, part of his Northern Rock Cyclone cycling festival weekend, returns for a second year on the PC Series as does the Blackpool Grand Prix.
British Cycling President, Brian Cookson, commented, "At a time when we are seeing significant growth in our membership and participation in our grass roots competitive events programme it's also great to see that our flagship National Road Race Series is thriving as well. It should be a great season for everyone involved. I would like to thank all our organisers and their supporters who have contributed to the success of the Premier Calendar Series over the past few years'.
Girvan Race Organiser Ian Sinclair said, "The 2008 Premier Calendar is shaping up to be one of the best yet. The increased press and TV coverage the Series has enjoyed in recent years has seen an upsurge in participation with new events, teams and sponsors all coming onboard. It is particularly pleasing to see an additional 2-day event on the calendar. Short stage races form an important element of the UK teams' preparation for the Tour of Britain and the other multi-day tours in which many Premier Calendar riders compete."
LINKS TO: Full 2008 Premier Calendar story | 2008 Major Road Events List on the British Cycling web site.
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