Tour of Pendle - NE

Great Britain, August 12, 2007

2006 Results Results Past winners

Kiwi scores in the series final

McCauley in pursuit
Photo ©: Gerry McManus

Gordon McCauley (Plowman Craven/ Evans Cycles) took the honours in the final counting event of the British Cycling Calendar series when he crossed the finish line first in the Tour of Pendle.

The New Zealand international had been looking for that elusive win in the series all year but had to beat Rob Partridge (Recycling.co.uk) in the final sprint in the wet Lancashire town of Nelson to clinch victory today.

Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk) finished in sixth spot with arms aloft celebrating his victory in the British Cycling series overall. Newton pipped Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello RT) in their group gallop for the line but the Sheffield rider had the compensation of winning the king of the mountains competition.

McCauley was clearly delighted with his biggest UK road race victory this year and he tied up second place in the series with the help of the maximum 100pts to add to his score.

“It has taken all season and it is a relief as much as anything to get the victory,” said McCauley: “I knew I was going well last week when I finished first of the British based riders in the GP of Wales. I got the nod for New Zealand team in the world’s time trial last week which is pretty big for me and it motivates me just that little bit more for the rest of the season.”

The Aucklander simply didn’t run out of steam for the whole race. “The bottom line is that was only 140km,” he explained: “This week I have had a sort of mini training camp with my team mate James Millard and we have been banging out seven hour rides every day and finishing them with one of the local evening races. The race today felt like it went by pretty quickly.”

“We saw the first break go away on the first lap with most of the favourites and myself and Simon Gaywood and James Millard went to the front with the Sportscover guys and it took us 10 or 15 miles to get them back. The attacks were virtually non stop from then on. I had got across to a big group with Newton, Rob Sharman, Partridge and few others then Randle attacked again with David Clarke. I thought it would be a good move to be in with Sportscover blocking behind and then Partridge got a across to us and the lead opened up. It was quite a testing circuit. It was up and down all day. I was just lucky that all the climbs were big chain wheel climbs and that suited me.”

“The team is going to the Tour of Ireland next week,” continued McCauley: “Then I have the Newport nocturne and the Tour of Britain then I am going to Stuttgart ahead of the New Zealand team to get a little time riding on the time trial course for the world championships to make sure I get everything right for race day.”

The chase is on
Photo ©: Gerry McManus

Newton had already won the Premier Calendar series before the race but was still motivated to put a good performance in on the day. “It’s all about winning individual races really,” said Newton: “The team have been helping me all season and I still wanted to do well today. We wanted one of the team to win the race. I covered all the moves at the back with Adam (Bonser) when Rob (Partridge) had got across to the leaders. I came back from Tuscany last week with a cold and I rode myself into the race feeling stronger towards the end. I didn’t want to attack on the finishing circuit in case I took anyone with me.”

“It has been an enjoyable season,” Newton continued: “We will see what we are going to do next year. We will definitely ride some bigger races to prepare for the Olympics.”

How it unfolded

Kiwi McCauley had been in the action all day since Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis) stretched his legs on the first ascent at Blacko as the rain came tumbling down. Wiggins had gone clear over the summit in a group of twelve riders that included Rob Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) and Partridge. McCauley led the chasers a few seconds behind with team mate Simon Gaywood in support. The break stayed clear on the steep, wet descent to Gisburn and along the main road stretch to Chatburn but Plowman Craven/Evans and Sportscover-Planet X were leading the chase and the rebellion was soon quelled.

Mark Lovatt (Sports Cover-Planet X) led a small group up the key climb on the second ascent. The main field was largely together with Wiggins seemingly unconcerned at the back of the race handing in his race cape to the service car as the sun came out.

McCauley breaks his duck
Photo ©: Gerry McManus

It was Lovatt again on the front half way up the final climb leading another group that included Malcolm Elliott who continued mopping up the KOM points. Clarke, Newton and Randall were making the charge behind with McCauley seeing the danger and jumping across. Wiggins seemed content to ride tempo in a group further behind.

David Clarke (Unattached), Wayne Randle (Sportscover-Planet X) and McCauley finally forged the break on the final tough climb of the day with Partridge flying across to join the leading trio. The quartet was first onto the finishing circuit. They had a slender 150m lead as they approached the finish line for the first time. Lee Davis (Pinarello RT) led the chase group in hot pursuit with team mate Elliott ready to pounce in the sprint if the opportunity arose.

Partridge made his bid for victory putting the hammer down and only McCauley could hold his wheel. The pair worked equally together until they passed the 1km to go sign. McCauley wisely left Partridge on the front. As the duo slogged their way up to the finish it was 35-year-old McCauley who passed the tiring Recycling.co.uk youngster to take the chequered flag.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

Newton, Clarke and Randle chase the leaders with McCauley in pursuit.
David Clarke still without a sponsor leads the break.
McCauley works hard on the climb.
Lee Davids (Pinarello) leads Newton , Sharman and Elliott in the chase.
Wiggins along for the ride.
McCauley begins to believe.
Newton celebrates the series victory.
McCauley wins.
McCauley breaks his duck in the series this year.
McCauley happy.
Rare GB ride for Wiggins.
First break of the day.
Rob Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles) leads the early break.
McCauley in pursuit of the leaders.
The chase is on led by Plowman Craven and Sportscover.
The bunch meander on.
Mark Lovatt (SportsCover-Planet X) on the attack.
Lee Davis (Pinarello RT) leads the main field.

Results

1 Gordon McCauley (PlowmanCraven-Evans)        3.35.36
2 Rob Partridge (Recycling.co.uk)                     
3 David Clarke (BC Private member)                    
4 Wayne Randle (Sportscover-PlanetX)              0.06
5 Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk)                  0.55
6 Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello RT)                      
7 John Tanner (Sportscover-PlanetX)                   
8 Mark Lovatt (Sportscover-PlanetX)                   
9 Robin Sharman (KFS Special Vehicles)                
10 Marcin Bialoblocki (Middridge CRT)                 
11 Roy Chamberlain (Team Corley Cycles)               
12 Lee Davis (Pinarello RT)                       0.59
13 Matthew Kipling (Inkland MTS)                  1.01
14 Adam Bonser (Recycling.co.uk)                  1.17
15 Kevin Dawson (Pinarello RT)                    1.21
16 Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing)              1.31
17 Alex Higham (Rapha Condor RT)                  1.55
18 Ian Wilkinson (SIS-Trek)                       2.10
19 Richard Sykes-Popham (Glendene CC/Biketrax)    2.21
20 Mark Thwaites (Kinesis UK)                     2.31
21 Tom Murray (Kinesis UK)                            
22 Andy Roche (Pinarello RT)                      2.38
23 Mark Wordsworth (JE James RT)                  3.42
24 Simon Richardson (Trek-UK)                     4.09
25 Neil Swithenbank (ABC Centreville)             4.15
26 Simon Gaywood (PlowmanCraven-Evans)            4.57
27 Grahame Sumner (GB Fire Service RT)                
28 Neil Jones (Gateway Cycles RT)                     
29 Richard Wilkinson (Rapha Condor RT)            5.00
30 Garry Hand (KFS Special Vehicles)              5.05
31 Richard Kent (SIS-Trek)                        5.44
32 Ian Bibby (SIS-Trek)                               
33 Stephen Feeney (Chester RC)                    5.50
34 Simon Wilson (Artic Shorter Rochford RT)       5.56
35 Ross Muir (Rapha Condor RT)                    6.07
36 Mike Harrison (Sigma Sport RT)                     
37 Adrian Bird (Echelon-Cyclescouk)               6.09
38 Dafyd Dylan (KFS Special Vehicles)             6.11
39 Stephen Adams (Merlin RT)                          
40 Ben Price (Rapha Condor RT)                    6.13
41 Chris Lockyer (Manchester Wheelers)                
42 Craig Battersby (Lancashire RC)                    
43 Richard Cartland (Team Corley Cycles)          6.17
44 Rick King (Inkland MTS)                            
45 Ian Field (Trek-VW)                                
46 Leigh Cowell (Kuota/Biemme/Spinergy)               
47 Jimmy Froggatt (Wills Wheels CC)

Past Winners

2006 Kristian House (Recycling.co.uk)

 
Past winners by Mario Stiehl, www.world-of-cycling.com