Rapha Condor Sharp: Ryedale Report

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Ryedale Report · 07/06/10

This weekend saw the team head to Yorkshire for the Ryedale Grand Prix, the latest round in the British Cycling Premier Calendar series. Arriving in York on a gorgeous, sunny Saturday afternoon, they first dropped in at the Paul Smith store to be fitted for suits before settling down for dinner and a pre-race briefing before bed. In stark contrast, Sunday morning dawned overcast and it wasn’t long before the skies opened. Rain became the defining feature of the opening hours of racing.

With just over 120 miles of racing ahead of them and the conditions less than favourable, few riders were willing to really commit to any serious moves. So there was more action at the back of the bunch than the front with a number of riders dropped early on and several crashes keeping the convoy on its toes.

One early faller from the Rapha Condor Sharp team was Darren Lapthorne, falling on a right hand bend and requiring a bike change before being taken back to the bunch. Rapha Condor Sharp riders are one of the best supported squads in the UK peloton, with a spare bike for every rider on the Skoda team car hopefully ensuring that a crash or mechanical problem shouldn’t mean the end of their race. The following miles saw a string of unsuccessful moves at the front whilst at the rear of the race riders continued to be dropped and a number of crashes called various team cars forward in the convoy. Life for the Rapha Condor Sharp team was relatively uneventful bar the retirement of Zak Dempster, suffering from Asthma, and a puncture for Dan Craven. Despite the fact that the bunch was moving quite quickly at the time, an excellent change from team mechanic enabled Dan to rejoin without difficulty.

As the race entered its third hour there was a brief lull in the rain as the skies brightened. The prospects for breakaways improved with Kristian House eventually escaping with Rob Sharman, establishing a gap that at one point stretched to over a minute.

However the escape was shortlived, caught at around the 75 mile mark having been away for nearly 20 miles. Whilst ultimately unsuccessful that move did prove to be the catalyst for the break of the day. Darren Lapthorne escaped with Rob Partiridge, they were quickly joined by Wouter Sybrandy to establish a leading trio who’s lead increased steadily, reaching 1m40s with 25 miles left to race. The trio were being pursued by Pete Williams of Motorpoint, ensuring that his team would not chase behind and with the other leading teams represented in the break the lead continued to climb steadily, reaching 2m30s as the break left the circuit for the last time for the run in to the finish.

Over the final few miles the riders continued to share the work evenly, no one rider obviously stronger or weaker than his companions. On the final climb with 4km to go – normally an obvious springboard for an attack – saw no efforts from any of the breakaway, virtually ensuring that the race would finish with a group sprint.

Over the first cattle grid and Darren Lapthorne opened the attacking, gapping Wouter Sybrandy briefly but with Rob Partridge able to respond he sat up, once more making three at the front as the race crossed the second and final cattle grid in Duncombe Park.

In the final gallop to the line it was Rob Partridge who led out and held off Darren Lapthorne all the way to the line with Wouter Sybrandy rounding off the podium.

Andy Tennant held off the bunch to finish 4th whilst in the bunch kick it was Ian Wilkinson who narrowly beat Chris Newton to the line. Chris retains his lead in the Premier Calendar overall.