The teams that will participate in the 2010 Tour Series criteriums were revealed today, reflecting what Cycling Weekly predicted in an earlier article.
British UCI Continental teams Endura, Motorpoint, Raleigh, Rapha Condor and Sigma Sport were all awarded places. Corley Cycles and CyclePremier.com were the other two additions to the line-up.
As expected, Wilier/Big Maggys/Prendas and Orbea For Goodness Shakes, both of whom competed last year, made way in the series for new team Kuota Road CC and an Irish national squad.
The inclusion of an Irish team hints again at what Cycling Weekly believes will be two criteriums in Ireland after the Tour Series' conclusion in June.
Tour Series action in Chester last year
ROMERO RIDES FIRST ROAD TEST OF THE YEAR
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Rebecca Romero made her first competitive time trial appearance of the year yesterday.
Romero, the individual pursuit champion on the track from Beijing, set a time of 59-37 in the Lea Valley CC ‘25' riding in the colours of her new team, Orbea For Goodness Shakes.
The time set by Romero put her ninth on the day, with Peter Balls taking the honours on the sporting (and windy) course with a time of 56-11.
Romero is set to participate in the time trial in both the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships this year.
RAPHA IN THE MIX IN TAIWAN
Rapha are faring well at the Tour of Taiwan, which started yesterday.
Dean Downing got into a twenty-strong split on the opening stage. As things broke up in finale, he claimed seventh, just missing out on the front group. Meanwhile, in front, Irishman David McCann soloed to the win and the leader's jersey.
After a bunch sprint on day two, with Graham Briggs and Downing placing eighth and ninth respectively, the reigning Elite Circuit Race Series champion sits in eighth overall.
SOLID RESULTS FOR PATTEN IN BELGIUM
Dan Patten continues to score impressive results in Belgium, claiming eighth and 17th in Geluwe and Koolskamp amateur races over the weekend.
"I used Sunday's race as a decent training day by riding out and back (from Dentergem) 20km or so to and from the race in Koolskamp," Patten explained.
"I raced well but was too complacent at the start and started at the back and the splits happened early, especially after a crash in the peloton. I had to chase pretty hard but regrouped with the main bunch but the break had gone.
"The group I was in was going for 16th by the end. I jumped after the final bend in the sprint and just got pipped on the line so finished up 17th," Patten added.
"All in all with last weekend's fifth place, a fairly decent start to the season. I've been feeling a bit lethargic since getting over here, so I have eased back a bit so I can at least feel fairly fresh for the races, which I have done.
"Obviously there is some form there as I've been strong in the races, so hopefully now I can get into more of a routine, have a bit more structure there and think that will make a big difference to how I'm feeling."
BAD LUCK UNCHAINS HOLT IN ITALY
A snapped chain put paid to Simon Holt's chances in the 1.2 Trofeo Franco Balestra yesterday in Italy.
Roughly 15km from the finish, just as the race was about the take in the decisive 3km Gandosso climb, Holt's chain snapped.
"I had a slow bike change and a hard chase followed to get back on - in fact I probably chased back too fast and later paid for the effort when we hit the main climb".
Despite the effort, Holt was still well placed to help the team. "Once I was back on I did my team work helping to keep my team-mates positioned at the front of the race in the lead up to the climb".
Despite the bad luck, Holt managed to cross the line in 51st, with Alexander Mironov of the Katusha development squad taking the win.
"I am pretty happy with my condition after my shingles in the winter and felt pretty good in the race considering I had also done a 24-hour week of training trying to put some base down again for later in the season.
"My next race is next Sunday called Popolarissima and is held in Treviso and features climbs of the Montello, before we then race in Tuscany at Castiglion Fibocchi on Tuesday March 23 - a hard race for Under 23 riders only," Holt added.
FINAL ROUND OF ICEBREAKER SERIES
The final round of the Welsh Cycling Icebreaker takes place on March 20 with some of the country's top young riders going head to head on the track.
Riders form all over the UK have been competing for the overall series lead and going into the third round the title is still up for grabs.
The remarkale entry of 115 riders is the largest number of riders to enter a track event in Wales outside of a National Championship event. Welsh riders are currently filling most of the top positions in the overall standings, Max Nethell, Rebecca Hunt, Tomos Owens and Cori Robbins are just a few of the Welsh riders keep to keep and eye on.
Events get underway at 10am on March 20 and spectators can watch the events free of charge. There will be refreshments available from the track centre.
For more information go to www.welshcycling.co.uk or contact 01633 670540
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