British Road Race Championships Redux

by Martin Williamson • August 15, 2010 • Printer-friendly

The British Championship Road Race on the 27th June was a race of attrition, but the riders started leaving via the back door very early in the race, due to the severity of the the seven-mile circuit around the Lancashire town of Barley, which was pretty much either up or down all day - but perhaps it had more to do with the pace set by the riders from Team Sky, who, with their numerical advantage and ProTour status took responsibility for the race, forcing the major break on the first of the fifteen laps.

Jez Hunt in the break.

After over five hours of undulating torture, Geraint Thomas outsprinted his teammate Peter Kennaugh for the title after the third Sky rider in the break, Ian Stannard - who was suffering like a dog, was finally dropped, leaving the two youngsters to it.

VeloVeritas travelled to the Championship, to watch the action and help out a few of the riders with bottles and the like, so we thought you'd like to see the photos from our trip - particularly since Geraint wore his British Champion's jersey with such valour in the Tour de France.

Gallery

: Laugh(ter) Lines, as Davie enjoys a joke riding for Endura last season.

: Grass King Hardie, Super Vet (retired) McGregor, Dan the Man, Ivan.

: David Millar will likely be retired come the Glasgow Games.

: Kristian gets ready to defend.

: Ivan quizes John Herety on that Peace race stage win.

: Alex Coutts.

: Hamish Haynes in his Belgian Team’s colours.

: Phil Griffith’s wheels: 625 brake, 3.7 sec zero to 60, 200 mph – Gregor has one on order.

: Where it was.

: It’s nice to meet up with our blogger Dan Patten.

: Ben Swift was invisible.

: Dave and Cav, both DNF.

: Dan Fleeman tweaks.

: Big Dan didn’t look pumped for this.

: It’s not Deano’s day today.

: Nice to see Johny Bellis on the line.

: Wilko lives here, he knows what’s coming.

: Glam Dan.

: Russ was DNF. Another big isn’t far away though.

: Dan roars.

: Ross in the fight.

: Davie Lines hurts.

: I recognise those socks.

: Jez Hunt – a MAN!

: Not like Flanders, Dan Patten slips back.

: Richardson and Jez.

: Oor Jock’s hero – Malc.

: Fleeman supporters club – Bar L branch.

: Up comes Dan Fleeman.

: Alex Coutts in the mix.

: Kristian – he’s cool but it isn’t happening today.

: Evan Oliphant and Chris Froome, only one would finish.

: Russ struggles.

: What’s Davie Lines laughing at?

: Dan Fleeman – he’s the real deal.

: Big Dan knows it’s done.

: Ross battles to bronze – nice one, son.

: Alex puffs.

: Jez leads.

: It took 13 laps – but Jez finally cracks.

: Geraint on the Podium

Result

1. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) 180 kilometres in 5-07-08
2. Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) at same time
3. Ian Stannard (Team Sky) at 2-20
4. Jeremy Hunt (Cervelo Test Team) at 7-59
5. Simon Richardson (Sigma Sport-Specialized) at 8-23
6. David Clarke (Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago) at 10-41
7. Dan Fleeman (Team Raleigh) at 10-43
8. Andy Fenn (100% ME) at 13-56
9. Rob Partridge (Endura) at 17-24
10. Paul Esposti (BCV) at 17-25
11. Chris Froome (Team Sky) 17-54
@ 1 lap
12. Rhys Lloyd (Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago)
13. Kristian House (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)
14. Ross Creber (Endura)
15. Ben Greenwood (Rapha-Condor-Sharp)
16. Richard Cartland (Corley Cycles)
17. Doug Dewey (Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago)
18. Tomas Swift-Metcalfe (Palmeiras Resort)
19. Steve Lampier (Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago)
20. Tim Kennaugh (100% ME)