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Tour of the Reservoir · 29/03/10

A tough day at the office as the Rapha Condor Sharp squad struggled in its first UK outing since their successful trip to Taiwan. The team failed to finish a single rider at the opening round of the Premier Calendar, The Tour of the Reservoir, in a race decided by a major split half way through the six laps.


photo by Emma Felton

After the main climb on the circuit, and in the heavy crosswind section, a 20 man group split off the front of the peloton on the 3rd lap of the race and the Rapha Condor Sharp team were the major losers. The team organised the chase and held the break at 30 seconds for a lap but failed to make any meaningful impact on the breakaway who got on with the business of racing, and over the next few miles forced a further selection leaving nine riders in front from whom the winner would be decided. That man was former Rapha Condor Sharp rider, Simon Richardson, who broke away with a lap and a half to go to take a deserved solo victory.

Back at the Rapha Condor Sharp team car a frustrated Deputy Manager, Phil West, was left to reflect on a disappointing opening to the Premier Calendar season in which none of his riders made the finish.

“On the one hand I’m a bit disappointed. I told the guys what to look out for and when the split would happen in these conditions, and they missed it. Then on the other hand we’re carrying a couple of sick riders and the others are still getting over the trip to Taiwan. Nonetheless, this isn’t how we want to do things and the guys will now go away and prepare to give a better showing in the next outing.”

Speaking from France where he’d just watched Tom Southam put in a gutsy ride to finish 7th on the final stage of the Tour of Normandy, Team Manager John Herety gave his opinion on the performance:

“I know a couple of the guys are a little sick, but not putting one rider in a move like that is a big disappointment. They have to see that the Premier Calendar is a big deal for the sponsors and for the press here. We can’t have an off day like that, not the whole team!”

The team now have a week to regroup and recuperate before heading north once again for the Tour of Doonhame.


photo by Emma Felton

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