Havant Grand Prix - 1.5
Hampshire, Great Britain, August 6, 2000
Past Winners Results
Lovatt wins his second
Classic in two weeks
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Mark
Lovatt
Photo: © Larry Hickmott
Although telling all and sundry that the strongest rider on the day
was Ireland's Brian Kenneally, Mark Lovatt showed yet again he is one
of the finest road riders in this country with another show of strength
and aggression to win the super Havant Grand Prix in Hampshire, UK.
Not only did Lovatt win the race in yet another two up sprint, he also
took another 15 UCI points to add to his tally and now tops the Premier
Calendar table. With the Tour of the Peaks and Gun Hill in Derbyshire
to come, who would bet against him being headed?
The day started early again for me, leaving the house in Bedford at
5.45am for the two hour plus drive to Havant (near the port of Portsmouth).
This was to be a special day for me because in order to get more of
a feel for how big these races are, I decided to take advantage of the
1st category licence and enter the event. The first premier and UCI
event for me. The program showed only 84 riders and I had to wonder
why so few after my brief but memorable experience in riding the top
category race in the country.
Perhaps that special feeling soon goes and such events become ordinary
but I don't know how that would be because if you perform well against
the best in the country it has to be better than just winning some "chipper".
In my case, winning such an event would only happen if all the others
fell off but it was important for me to do it to see for myself why
these events are special (and hard) for riders. More on why later.
The Havant Grand Prix, starting and finishing outside the sponsors
chambers (the Borough Council), has for several years been a counting
event in the season long Premier calendar series, the pinnacle series
for riders in the UK. For women it's the Bruton series and for Veterans,
the Fryer trophy and so on for other categories.
This year, to mark the new millennium, the Havant Grand Prix acquired
UCI status, 1.5, which meant that the first 10 finishers scored UCI
points. This was only achieved according to the program, because of
the generous sponsorship by the Havant Borough Council. To gain UCI
status, there had to be international teams and there was with riders
from Ireland, Belgium, Scotland, Channel Islands and the UK.
The strongest teams looked to be the Irish team, which has always
performed well in UK races this year and ProVision/Planet-X with the
national champion John Tanner, last year's runner up Wayne Randle and
last week's Tour of the Cotswolds winner, Mark Lovatt. What sponsor
wouldn't want that combination?
The course was viscious, very much so as I found out. The riders had
to do two loops of 30km which took in the climb of Hydean Hill and then
3 times over Old Winchester, a single lane climb that was well over
a mile long. The race then switched to a smaller circuit and the riders
had to battle over HMS Mercury, a long climb to be done 5 times. After
the riders had done all that in 170km, they had a 10km run to the finish
which involved a short climb, then a downhill run to the finish.
At the start, the finish was being erected and the mayor and his princesses
(well they were dressed like princesses) were already assembled to send
the riders off. I warmed up with Peter Swettenham from the Twickenham
CC and he said there were no hiding places on this course. No sooner
had you recovered from one climb, another one would appear and it was
going to be hard. The start time of 10.00am soon arrived, the moment
of truth for me, and the field assembled with the commentator introducing
riders and the mayor before the "princess" (she had a title but I forgot
to find out what) waved the riders away for the 10km neutralised section.
Shortly after 10.00am, we were flagged away. Now, after having covered
many of the Premiers from the sidelines, this was a cool experience.
People clapping, outriders, star riders from all over all around me,
a real energy in the air around the event. Okay, so I was going to get
my legs kicked in real soon. It felt good to be there and you can only
get that feeling doing it and not just writing about it. A bit like
sex I suppose!
The antics of the riders in the neutralised section were another that
needed censoring. It seemed half the field was stopping to attend the
call of nature. And then there was ProVision's Mark Lovatt, a very different
picture from what I would see later. Chatting away to teammate John
Tanner and to use a very apt cliché, as happy as Larry (because Larry
- me - was happy at that time). A little further up the peloton, which
was doing around 30kph mostly uphill, another of Lovatt's teammates,
Wayne Randle was spotted dipping into his back pockets for "snacks",
no doubt trying to avoid the dreaded hunger knock that hit him hard
last week in the Tour of the Tour of the Cotswolds when he was riding
so well. Then there was Irish rider, Eugene Moriarty, banging it into
the 11 and on the big ring and flexing his muscles, something the Irish
team were to do a lot that day.
All in all, the neutralised section was a joy and it wasn't only me
that wanted it to go on for ever but it had to end and when it did,
the attacks started right away with 12 riders getting away in small
groups. Just because there was another 180km to go didn't deter the
attackers and while in the beginning, no-one really took the attacks
seriously, when Lovatt attacked from right beside me (and no I didn't
attempt to go with him, although I could see it coming) to chase the
break a few seconds up the road, everyone knew the race was well and
truly on.
So it went and when the field reached the first climb, Hydean, I found
out the difference between a Premier event and a normal open road race.
These guys did not slow down for the climbs, even long ones like this.
The hill for many, was probably not much to write home about with it
being a kilometer or so in length and big ring. But the field was strung
out, many were suffering and near the top I lost contact as you can
only ride at maximum for so long or at least it is in my case.
I had to grin when I think it was the Arctic 2000 team car that came
along side and said "dig deep". I looked down and the heart rate monitor
which had been reading maximum for around a minute or two was still
on max (189) and my legs were filled with that stuff that makes them
go pop. I was digging and the hole was getting bigger! Even chasing
the bunch at 50kph plus for several miles didn't do any good and I have
to say, I was most disappointed with the convoy (a short one at that)
which didn't give me a chance to get back on even if that's less than
legal.
Anyway, that was the race report from within the bunch over with.
Short but ever so sweet! The only thing I gained from it was a knowledge
that even if I can go out now (which I couldn't do before) and train
at an average speed of 32 kph for 3 hours, it doesn't mean squat in
these races. In my last 1st category race, I had no problems, in this,
shelled on the first big climb. Climbing long hills fast is everything
it would seem if you want survive such races. Next year perhaps...
Anyway, not to worry, the car was close and I made it to Winchester
climb in time to learn that the first time over, Lee Finch (Team Cycles
Clements/Simincioni) had taken the prime and then second time over,
Belgian based Brit, Rob Hurd (Royal Cureghem Sportif-Bioagrico) took
that prime when away in a break with Rowan Horner (VC St Rapheal/Waite
Contracts).
I was awaiting the race for its third and last time over Winchester
before it started the small circuit. It was only around 10 minutes before
the small crowd were greeted to the awesome sight of Irish rider Brian
Kenneally leading ProVision's Mark Lovatt up the climb around 10 seconds
clear of the other 32 riders left lead by Julian Gromett (Terry Wright
Cycles), Tim Buckle (Paul Moy and Associates), Gary Baker (Anglia Sport/Condor),
Peter Swettenham, Tom Rowan (both Twickenham CC) and John Tanner prominently
up the front marking for his teammate out front. This was all that was
left of the field of 84 plus riders after the 3rd lap of the circuit,
something which showed how hard the race was becoming.
The next time I saw the race was near the HMS Mercury climb when Lovatt
and Kenneally had more than a minute over the bunch which was pretty
much still altogether. When the race appeared 20 or so minutes later,
the picture was starting to change with Lovatt (grimacing in pain) and
Kenneally still leading but a small chase group (6 or so riders) was
away with John Tanner looking comfortable. It was as if he was awaiting
for the moment to go it alone, as he often does towards the end of the
race when everyone else's leg are pulp and his are probably as strong
if not stronger than they were at the start.
The bunch meanwhile was slipping further and further down and this
despite there only being less than 10 riders away. In other words, why
sit up when there was a reason for racing? But then perhaps, there were
a lot of tired legs because the bunch was split with a gap of 10 seconds
between the two groups.
Third time round and it was still Lovatt and Kenneally leading. In
the chase group, I spotted local Danny Axford (Real Cost Cars) putting
in a good effort along with Patrick Moriarty from Ireland. But it was
national champion John Tanner who was looking dangerously comfortable
as they started the last kilometre of the climb. The bunch was back
together, but now 5 minutes down.
The fourth time around, and the picture hadn't changed up front. I
had been expected the chase group to get up to Lovatt and Kenneally
but the gap was still growing (2min 38) but instead of a chase group
coming into sight, it was the fabulous and predictable sight of the
UKs national champion John Tanner, a lone figure powering along a good
10 seconds up on the other four chasers of Heiko Szonn (De Nardi Montegrappa),
Robert Hurd (RCS Bioagrico), Danny Axford (Real Cost Cars) and Patrick
Moriarty (Ireland). The bunch meanwhile was now 6 and half minutes down
and losing riders every lap.
I then made my way to the finish where we saw Lovatt round the corner
into the short finishing straight well clear of Kenneally in a scene
just like last week when Lovatt crossed the line well clear of Matt
Stephens. Not bad for a "non sprinter". A few minutes back, John Tanner
came in alone to make it 1st and 3rd for ProVision. As for the king
of the moutains, Brian Kenneally took nearly every prime and was the
winner of the King of the mountains award and the cash prize to make
the effort worthwhile.
After the race, I had a quick word with Mark Lovatt who said that
riding with Kenneally was like riding with a motorbike, he was very
strong. "As soon as I heard John (Tanner) was chasing alone, I sat on.
But John wasn't making much time up so strong was Kenneally. He never
missed a beat. I only started tapping through with 10k to go but I think
he was still stronger than me. I told him (Kenneally ) that I would
rather John got across and he sprinted it out with you and I came third,
but I also told him I had to sprint". I jumped coming into the roundabout
(200 meters out) and I think he accepted he was beat really. He was
during the race, unbelievably strong. If John hadn't been behind and
I had to work, then I think he would have dropped me."
What did it mean to him to be on top of the Premier Calendar? "It
only means something when you've won it," said the rider who has a strong
chance to win the series. "I'm just going to continue riding the premier
races," he added.
When asked how it felt being described as a motorbike Brian Keneally
said "last week in the Cotswolds he didn't feel too good but this week
he felt strong." He added that he was intending on doing the Aussie
Sun Tour. Meanwhile John Tanner said "that he had wasted a lot of energy
making up for getting caught behind some back markers early on when
the bunch split and he had to chase to get across to get back in the
race. When in that back group, I didn't think I was going to get round
because I thought a lot of them were just riding round and didn't want
to race. It took a lot of effort to get back to the bunch."
One of the major surprises was the 7th place of Tom Rowan (Twickenham
CC) who according to his "minder", Doug Collins, was off the back on
the last climb and not feeling so good. When asked how the result helped
his confidence, Tom said it was great. Not only has scored his first
result and a major one at that, he also scored UCI points. "Being off
Uni has helped. More training with teammate Jez Cox (who also rode the
race) and more rest."
Results and report courtesy of Larry Hickmott at www.echelon-velo.co.uk
Results - 180 km
1. Mark Lovatt (GBr) ProVision/Plant-X/Powerbar
2. Brian Keneally (Irl) Ireland
3. John Tanner (GBr) ProVision/Planet-X
4. Rob Hurd (GBr) RCS Bioagrico
5. Danny Axford (GBr) Real Cost Cars
6. Heiko Szonn (Ger) De Nardi Montegrappa
7. Tom Rowan (GBr) Twickenham CC/Stairmaster/Evans Cycles
8. Neil Swithenbank (GBr) Alsager/Adidias MRT
9. ? Scotland
10. Eugene Moriarty (Irl) Ireland
11. Wayne Randle (GBr) ProVision/Plant-X/Powerbar
12. Patrick Moriarty (Irl) Ireland
13. Robby Van Wayenberg (Bel) RCS Bioagrico
14. Peter Swettenham (GBr) Twickenham CC/Stairmaster/Evans Cycles
15. Tim Bayley (GBr) Arctic 2000
16. Grant Bayton (GBr) Total Fitness
17. Mike Harrison (GBr) Tunstall Wheelers/Brian Rourke Cycles
18. Martin Pardaens (Bel) RCS -Bioagrico
19. John Ibbotson (GBr) Gore Bike Wear
20. Dave Clarke (GBr) Alsys-Bradgate CRT
21. Stephen O'Sullivan (Irl) Ireland
22. Gavin Poupart (GBr) Worcester St Johns CC
23. Chris Spence (GBr) Jersey Caesaean CC
24. Darren Barclay (GBr) Arctic 2000
25. Julian Gromett (GBr) Terry Wright Cycles/Raleigh
26. Rory Wyley (GBr) Thames Velo
27. Tom Barras (GBr) Linda McCartney
28. Eamonn Deane (GBr) Bournemouth Jubliee
29. Flip Pocket (Bel) RCS Bioagrico
30. Ian Bendall (GBr) Pembroke Velo
31. Justin Hoy (GBr) Liphook Cycles
32. Gary Willis (GBr) Scotland
33. Paul Dring (GBr) Terry Wright Cycles
Premier Calendar Overall Standings
1 Mark Lovatt (GBr) Provision Powerbar 274 pts
2 Julian Winn (GBr) WCU-Private Member 245
3 Jon Clay (GBr) SLBM 242
4 John Tanner (GBr) Provision Powerbar 232
5 Chris Newton (GBr) Middridge CRT 204
6 Antony Malarczyk (GBr) www.Real Cost Imports 181
7 Rod Ellingworth (GBr) Team Mcell 159
8 Huw Pritchard (GBr) Linda McCartney-WCU 148
9 Danny Axford (GBr) www.Real Cost Imports 129
10 Andy Lyons (GBr) Terry Wright Cycles 124
11 Kevin Dawson (GBr) Pete Reade Racing 111
12 Wayne Randle (GBr) Provision Powerbar 102
13 David Mccann (Irl) Ireland 100
14 Martin Ford (GBr) Arctic 2000 98
15 Gordon McCauley (NZl) Equilibrium Oleum RT 69
16 Mike Jones (GBr) Robert Grinsell Travel 62
17 Steve Stoneman (GBr) www.Real Cost Imports 56
18 Paul Manning (GBr) BCF Private Member 55
18 Matt Stephens (GBr) Linda McCartney RT 55
20 Duncan Urqhart (GBr) Pete Reade Racing 50
Races left in the Premier Calendar
>> Next 17. 13th August Glasgow - Dunoon Hayward Tyler Classic
18. 10th September International Tour of the Peak RR
19. 17th September Gun Hill Premier Race
Past
Winners
1998 Chris Walker (GBr)
1999 Russell Downing (GBr)
2000 Mark Lovatt (GBr)
Past winners by Mario Stiehl, Berlin
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