AND 
RESULTS SEASON 2007

Ras de Cymru. Lewis COWLEY, Kev POTTER, Christian AUCOTE & Andy DAY (me) have just returned from a rain soaked Ras de Cymru 2007. This was a 5 day, 6 stage race over some very lumpy terrain including a 4 mile mountain top finish on the last day. Here's Andy's account of the race.

STAGE 1 - This was a 4.3 mile TT that finished up a 1:9 hill that was just over 1/2 mile long. Andy 18th, Lewis, 39th, Christian 42nd, Kev 56th.

STAGE 2 - A 46m hilly road race that seemed to climb for about 38m!! Lewis read the race well & got in the break but unfortunately lost contact with a few miles to go but still came in just in front of the chasing lead group that included Andy. Christian came in a short while later & Kev who had a mare of a day, after losing contact early on when he thought we were still in the neutralised zone!!  Overall - Andy 25th, Lewis 30th, Christian 50th, Kev 72nd.

STAGE 3 - 15m TTT. Mostly flat with a few bumps on the way back. Team finished 8th.

STAGE 4 - A 59m flat stage but we had to climb a decent hill 3 times including to the finish line! Kev punctured in the neutralised zone but quickly got back on. Lewis also stopped for a call of nature. A strong team effort saw Kev beat us all to the line & start his accent on the overall. Overall - Andy 28th, Lewis 30th, Christian 64th, Kev 66th.

STAGE 5 - A 68m hilly road race that included for accents of the Defynnog climb. (They liked to see us finish every stage at the top of a climb!) The weather was horrible & didn't stop raining. It was one of the worst days I've raced in. Lewis's chain dropped off near the top of the climb but he worked hard to get back on on the decent. Kev regained contact after a strong decent on lap 1 but just lost contact on the future climbs. Christian worked hard & with the help of a friend in another team he rejoined the leading group following the decent for the 3rd time. I was pleased to manage to hold my own in the bunch & manage to pip Lewis to the line at the top of the final climb. Overall - Andy 29th, Lewis 31st, Christian 51st, Kev 58th.

STAGE 6 - A 50m flat road race with a 4m mountain top finish. The weather was a little better but still wet. Lewis had a puncture in the neutralised zone but had no probs getting back on. Lewis even stopped for a call of nature again, which shows great confidence. (Show off!!) The 1st 46m were mostly flat & unfortunately / annoyingly for the team we missed the important break & with most teams having a rider in it the bunch slowed right up awaiting the big mountain. On seeing a rider I was having my own personal battle with jump off the font with 1 other I decided to attack with 5 miles to go before the climb. I managed to put about 45 secs into the bunch as I hit the mountain but gradually watched as riders caught & passed me, one of those being Lewis "The Mountain Goat". At the Finish he had put 49 secs into me. Kev did a great ride to come in a couple of mins down & Christian who had been caught up in a crash & raced 30m almost on his own battled on to finish. Final overall - Lewis 29th, Andy 35th, Kev 51st, Christian 65th?

We had our own race within the race for most of the week. With Lewis trying to jump ahead of me & Kev & Christian having their own personal battles. Alistair & Steve Locke spent the day with us on Thursday & were a great help & support. (Well Alistair helped & Steve topped his tan up whist sitting in his very nice convertible) The team spirit was great all week & although Lewis & Christian took some ribbing whilst Kev & me played mom & dad we never had any fall outs. 

This is the 2nd year I have don this race & its a well organised very testing race. The team flew the Plan-B flag & we will return next year with high hopes of the likes of Lewis, the young youthful future of the team scaling the heights of the top 10 overall. NO PRESSURE Lewis!! I hope to attend to pull his 9 stone frame along in the TTT.

A personal thank you to the lads for a great 5 days. To the rest of the Plan-B family, happy cycling & see you all soon. (Hopefully in the sun!)

Andy. (Daysey!)

Plan B 2 Day Spring Stage Race. During the early May Bank holiday many members of Plan B and other volunteers put on a 2 day, 3 stage race that they should all be immensely proud of. We would first like to give a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the running of the race, from the riders who entered to all those that helped out. 

The weekend started on Saturday 5th with an individual TT around Darley Moor, followed by a 66k race in the afternoon. If that wasn't punishment enough there was a tough stage on Sunday 6th finishing at the top of Hanbury Hill. There was plenty of action and a lot of pain, riders traveled from far and wide to compete. The weekend ended with a deserved winner in Jason Meyer, who also walked away with the Points/KOM prize, 2nd place in the GC went to Daniel Drake and 3rd to Colin Mattinson. 

The feedback after the race was excellent (especially about the cakes provided by Mrs Potter) and many people are already looking forward to the race in 2008.

For pictures- Click Here

Jackal Camp, Mallorca. On March 27th 2007 a group of 13 boarded a plane and set off for a weeks riding on the Island of Mallorca. 2 days later, with the arrival of Ann and Roger the number increased to 15 and Jackal Camp 2007 was in full swing. Base camp was at the Hotel Pollenca Park in Puerto de Pollenca and I'd love to report that it was all sun, sea and sangria but unfortunately the weather was against us. Those brave enough to venture out on the first day, in between rain showers, got in a 2 hour ride, shaming the rest of us in to going out on day 2- what a mistake!!!!! You've never seen rain like it, all dressed up in winter kit and still soaked to the skin. After 6 hours the last of us rolled in to the hotel and into the bar- it was definitely 'Beer o'clock'.

Luckily the weather improved (briefly), allowing some more enjoyable riding and a chance for the 'sun gods' to top up their tans. Alas, it didn't last but, not being put off by a few clouds and a sea breeze (yeah right!!!) there was a chance to get a few more miles in. The more experienced riders clocked up almost 500 miles  during the course of the week and even the girls managed almost 200 miles. Obviously all were rewarded at the end of each day when 'Beer o'clock' came round again.

Of course there was plenty of time to sample the local cuisine and check out some of the bars and cafe- I knew the cup of tea crowd wouldn't let us down!!. We even managed to squeeze in a trip to see the Four Tops (well technically it was the Two Tops but hey, who's counting). A night of singing, laughing and dancing, if you can call it that, was had by all and everyone ensured they had plenty of refreshments! 

For a selection of pics, click here. Plans for Jackal Camp 2008 are already in discussion so watch this space.

What's new for 2007? The new Giordana team issue race kit has arrived with a new design and a new main sponsor- 'Big Ring Cycles'. Those that placed an order at the end of 2006 can now collect their kit from Ann and Alistair. 
Winter training continues with a new plan for the first part of the year. Rides so far have been attracting good numbers and hopefully this will continue through the year. The plan is to ride in to race season fit and ready to be competitive.
Cup of Tea runs are still as successful as ever with a weekly rides and plenty of mugs of tea.

Bronze Medal for Ann Staley at World Masters Track Championships in Manchester - After Ann's recent success at the National Track Championships Plan-B Racings leading lady took centre stage with a bronze medal at World level in the Women's World Masters 1500m time trial (2 laps of the Manchester track). Ann could not quite believe it as she took her place on the podium along with her compatriot who took gold and the silver medalist from the USA. 
    Podium Dancer- Ann Staley - Congratulations.
Full reports and results at www.worldmasters.com or www.britishcycling.org.uk 

Ann and Alistair Staley are National Masters Track Champions 2006 - Plan B's Ann and Alistair Staley have once again proved to be in their prime with both of them gaining the accolade of National Champion in the  national track championships in Welwyn Garden City recently. A full report and podium pictures are available at www.britishcycling.org.uk . 2006 has proved to be a huge success for Ann having recently won a medal in the national 25 mile TT championships.
Well done to both of you from our sponsors and the rest of the team.

Emergency Services Boys get a good kicking - Plan B riders Mick Lenehan and Carl Robinson found the going tough in the recent Kornhorn Wielergala representing the GB Police team in Holland. Both finished the three day four stage race helping the team to sixth place overall. 

BACK