The Premier Calendar series resumed again this weekend with the Virgin Money Cyclone after a two month hiatus since the Pearl Izumi Tour Series.
The Premier Calendar series resumed again this weekend with the Virgin Money Cyclone after a two month hiatus since the Pearl Izumi Tour Series. The 108 mile road race based on the two loops around Stamfordham, Northumberland featured the significant climb of the Ryals. For once though the climb wasn't the main difficulty of the race, a very strong wind made the exposed sections of moorland extremely difficult and the main group exploded several times each lap due to the wind combined with narrow roads. The race today was to be decided on strength and motivation.
The Madison Genesis team showed both in abundance. In every significant breakaway there was a Madison Genesis rider present allowing Dean to hide in the main group and make sure he survived the difficult climbs on the opening laps. Ironically, the strong wind neutralised the breakaway attempts rather than encourage them, so the (albeit reduced) front group entered the finishing laps with four of the Madison Genesis team still there. With Dean in great sprinting form after the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, we were looking forward to the bunch sprint but we had to be careful of the inevitable late attacks. Liam and Dom made sure no groups were given any freedom and despite a last desperate solo attempt (that for a moment had our hearts fluttering in the team car!) the group came back together for the tailwind assisted final run in to the finish to set up an incredibly fast bunch sprint. Dean used his skills honed in the Tour Series and positioned himself well in anticipation of a difficult final corner, allowing him to use his famous turn of speed to win the sprint by a comfortable margin, with Alex in his first year following in a very impressive fifth place.
"What a fantastic team performance, the entire team outperformed my expectations today. Everything we talked about in the meeting they executed on the road and more. The result, our first Premier Calendar race win! The guys have worked hard all year and today they were rewarded with a well-deserved victory." Team manager – Roger Hammond
Click here for a full race report
Photos by Larry Hickmott