British National Road Championships (U23) - CN

Dorset, Britain, August 20, 2000

U23 Men, 151 km

Swithenbank's Last Gasp Victory.

World Class Performance Programme rider, Neil Swithenbank (Alsager/Addidas), produced his best ride of the season to win a gruelling National Under-23 Road Race Championships, based on the village of Six Penny Handley in Dorset. Swithenbank's team-mate, Robin Sharman, was second, with Tom Anderson (Pitti Shoes Casprini) third and Russell Downing (Miche Pena) fourth.

Soon after the start, Steve Cummings (Alsager/Addidas) went away and built up a lead of over one and a half minutes as the race wound its way round a sweeping loop of the Dorset countryside. However, as the riders moved onto the first of five laps of the ten-mile finishing circuit, 25 riders, including all the favourites for the race, caught him. Jamie Alberts and Tom Southam (both Alsager Addidas) then went away together. There was no immediate reaction, with the hilly course making an organised chase difficult. The pair stayed away for over two laps, holding a one minute forty-five seconds lead at one stage, but were gradually brought back by a group of about 25 riders, who eventually caught them.

After a brief regrouping, a group of four, Neil Swithenbank, Russell Downing, Tom Anderson and Robin Sharman broke clear, pursued by a lone chaser, Kristian House. At the bottom of the final climb of Bullbarrow Hill, Anderson attacked and Russell Downing went with him. As they went over the top of the hill, the leading pair had more than half a minute lead over Sharman with Swithenbank a few seconds further back.

With Downing and Anderson working well together, Sharman and Swithenbank set about chasing them down. They gradually clawed back the leading pair's advantage and caught them with about a mile to go to the finish. A couple of tentative attacks failed and the race came down to a sprint for the line between four very tired riders. Sharman led them out, with Downing attacking right, down the gutter, whilst Anderson went left. However, it was Swithenbank who surprised them all, coming from the back to win on the line from Sharman, who managed to re-pass Downing who, in turn, appeared to sit up, allowing Anderson to pass him on the line. Behind them, Kristian House held on for fourth, ahead of Tom Barras and Paul Watson, with Jamie Alberts leading in the main group right on their heels.

After the race, Neil Swithenbank was understandably pleased with his performance. The 21 year old from Heywood, near Rochdale, has had a difficult season after winning the National Under-22 Series in 1999. Despite contributing well to his team's successes, he has lacked a big win of his own, hence his comment: "I'm made up, especially after the year I've had!"

Swithenbank's Team-manager, John Herety was equally pleased: "I don't think anyone would begrudge him the victory. It makes up for all Neil's perseverance this year. He's been doing things right and has applied himself all season and now he's got the big reward. His win has also confirmed his place in the team for the World Championships in October, alongside Kristian House."

Notes: The Cycling World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) is a Lottery funded initiative geared to producing World and Olympic champions. Funding covers Road, Track, Cross-Country MTB and Paralympic Cycling . There are currently over 40 athletes receiving WCPP funding.

Reports courtesy of Neil Walker and Philip Ingham, BCF

Results

1 Neil Swithenbank (Alsager-Adidas MRT (WCPP)
2 Robin Sharman (Alsys-Bradgate CRT 		 	0.02
3 Tom Anderson (Pitti Shoes)
4 Russell Downing (Team Miche Pena)
5 Kristian House (KVC Vlug En Vrij/Midera CT) 		2.00
6 Tom Barras (Linda McCartney Foods - W.C.U.)
7 Paul Watson (Knaresborough R.T.)
8 Jamie Alberts (Alsager-Adidas MRT (WCPP))
9 Bill Nickson (Paul Moy Associates)
10 Yanto Barker (Linda McCartney Foods - W.C.U.)
11 Martin Lonie (Linda McCartney Foods - W.C.U.)
12 David Clarke (Alsys-Bradgate CRT)
13 Daniel Lloyd (Raleigh Factory Racing)
14 Alexander Ross (Deeside Thistle)
15 John Ibbotson (Gore Bikewear)
16 Matthew Holmes (Arctic 2000 R.T.)
17 David Law (Arctic 2000 R.T.)
18 James Shaw (Stourbridge C.C.)
19 Oli Cox (Raleigh Factory Racing)
20 Mark Kelly (Linda McCartney Foods - W.C.U.)
21 Paul Sheppard (Linda McCartney Foods - W.C.U.)
22 Mark Perry (Somer Valley C.C.)
23 Jon Rutherford (Prickett - Atom Elite R.T.)
24 Michael Cotty (Gios Primera)
25 Gareth Hewitt (JE James RT)
26 Alex Bond (UCD Nord 87)
27 James Gilfillan (Team Hed)
28 James Griffiths (Linda McCartney Foods - W.C.U.) 	 13.53
29 Robert Wood (I.C.S.A. Team) 		 		 14.48
30 Stephen Joseph (Gore Bikewear)
31 Simon Gaywood (C.C. Luton)

Junior Men

Page wins Junior title

Kieran Page followed up his Junior Tour of Ireland win with victory in the National Junior Road Race Championships on Sunday. Taking the silver medal was Mark Baker, the only rider able to follow Page's blistering attack with just over two laps to go. Third place went to up and coming rider, Owyn Wallace. Owyn arrived out of the blue to win the Bath round of the Junior Series, and proved that was no fluke by riding away from the chase group in the final 10 miles.

Conducted over 7 laps of a tough course on the Oxfordshire-Buckinghamshire border, the Twickenham CC promoted event was arguably the hardest race faced this year by the country's best juniors and it produced worthy winner in Page, from the Isle of Wight, who is the outstanding talent in his age group.

The early race was dominated by a 5 man break of Ross Adams, Alec Coutts, Lewys Hobbs, Ian Redpath and Richard Teare, which gained a maximum lead of 1min 20secs on lap 2. Several riders, notably James Bell, attempted to cross to the break, but were reeled in. On lap three a strong chase group formed, 50 seconds down, which included Richard Suttcliffe, Owyn Wallace, Adam Henley, Kieran Page & Mark Baker. They were followed at1min 02secs by a group containing Rhys Gruffyd & David Heaven. By lap 4 the first chase group were 23secs down, the second group at 1min 01secs and the bunch at 1min 52secs.

At 45 miles covered, the three front groups came together on one of the climbs, and the drive of the break was lost. As the bunch caught the break, Kieran Page launched his decisive move. Only Baker was able to follow him, and the two soon opened up a useful gap. Behind, the field rapidly split into small groups: Rhys Gruffyd and Ross Adams chased at 20secs, closely followed by a group of eight, consisting of David Heaven, Adam Henley, James Cartwright, Richard Suttcliffe, Lewys Hobbs, Andrew Allan, Owyn Wallace & Christian Varley. With 2 laps to go, the chasers were at 30secs, and were joined by Alec Coutts & James Davies, whilst David Heaven lost contact due to his bottom bracket coming out of his frame.

With 54 miles covered, Page attacked Baker on one of the climbs and slowly stretched his lead to 20secs, with the chasers at 1min and the bunch at 2min 10secs. At the bell, Page had extended his lead to 30secs, and the chasers were at 1min 53secs. Owyn Wallace attacked shortly after the bell, and quickly established a 30sec lead over the chasers, who were reluctant to commit to a chase over the tough final lap. Half way around the lap, Page had increased his advantage to 1min 10secs and was looking comfortable. The three medallists rode in comfortably alone, with Richard Suttcliffe outsprinting James Cartwright to take 4th place.

Report courtesy of Neil Walker and Philip Ingham, BCF

Results

1 Kieran Page (SP Systems Wrightlink RT)     3.14.05
2 Mark Baker (Team Velo Sport) 		        1.23
3 Owyn Wallace (Road House) 		        2.59
4 Richard Suttcliffe (Knaresborough RT) 	4.10
5 James Cartwright (Royal Sutton CC) 	
6 Andrew Allan (Team Velo Sport) 		
7 Adam Henley (High Wycombe CC) 		4.16
8 Alec Coutts (Midlothian RT) 		        4.20
9 Christian Varley (Manx Viking Wheelers) 	4.31
10 James Davies (Ribble Valley CRT)