PTW: General Discussion » Bill Pring 2day Le tape du Dufonce

Author	Post
pip	#0 Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:15 pm
Member	Big congratulations to our Davey Crowley for winning the event overall. « Last edit by pip on Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:33 pm. »
Alfie	#1 Mon Jul 20, 2015 6:14 pm
Administrator	Great news. Well done Davey. And well done to the team. Any race reports? _______________ "The most important thing in life is not to have the most, but to need the least.” Plato (my favourite Disney character).
Davey C	#2 Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:06 pm
Member	Of course Alf! Etape de La Defonce 2 Day STAGE RACE: 3/4 OFFICIAL REPORT A race that has a long history for Port Talbot Wheelers - past champions include CJ and Dan Pearson, true class. Other members know this race well, having all tasted it's bitter fruit on different occasions. My last experience of this race was in that glorious summer of sport, 2012, when a hastily put together Port Talbot team was dragged off a beach to complete the team at the last minute for Port Talbot Wheelers. Unlike Contador pre 2012, it was a disaster with me finally getting dropped on the last MOUNTAIN stage and rolling in hours down. This year the race however, we had assembled a good QUARTET that would form the Squadra Rosa for our assault on yellow. Forming the PT team were myself (obv), genuine PT member Morgan Hendry (young rider who did the 4 up with us a month ago), FAKE PT member Alex Thomas, (young guy, now 2nd cat thanks to many many good results), FAKE PT member Mike Hall who left PT in the winter for a free pair of shorts and chance to be part of a bike shop team. But we won't hold that against him. Much. There were strong local teams from Forza Cycles and Onit Sports who I had pegged as the guys to watch. There were also many other teams from England and were unknowns. Nevertheless, I had a good feeling about our ability to at be 'up there'. STAGE 1 10km TTT An out and back course, with a few nasty climbs. Not an easy one to pace or ride as a team, this is where the race can be lost. Having had experience recently of a typical TTT, ie go out of the blocks hard, kill all your team-mates and wonder why you finish minutes down our tactic was simple. Ride within ourselves until the turn and the big climb, then start pressing on. I led off, keen to get the pacing right from the word go I felt very slow out of the gate, which was perfect. despite not having ridden as a unit all of the others knew what needed to be done and the pace was kept right on the button. We made the turn and started the climb. Morgan hit the front and lifted it, but to a perfect point right on the rivet. Mike went at the bottom, but that was planned so we pressed on, Mike having given us some good turns on the way out. Over the top Morgan peeled off and I took up the front. Alex soon started to suffer and we lost some seconds as he missed turns and we had to slow but there was NO panic on board and Morgan and I took up the slack. Morgan led us over the line in 16.47, which I knew was a respectable time. Great thought I, we may not be too far down. Now to Costas in middle class Cowbridge to relax before the APRES MIDI stage. The other guys rolled off and as I was leaving the car park a little while later to meet them the organiser's assistant came running up asking me together the team, because we had WON and as the race was being filmed for a Welsh Cycling promotional VIDEO we needed to do INTERVIEWS. Team gathered interviews done we set about thinking about how on earth we were going to hold on to this accursed GARMENT. Morgan had the jersey being first over the line. In a touching, X Factor, soft piano music type moment, it was a nice moment for him. Last winter he was the VICTIM of a hit and run which left him in plaster for a month or two with a broken leg and collar bone. His turn on crack hill probably won us the stage so it was only right he wore the jersey. It was mature, well paced ride from Morgan, showing a class beyond his years. It was agreed we'd mark moves from Onit and Forza, who were our closest rivals as expected, by no more than a few seconds. Plan agreed, we rolled to the start. STAGE 1A : 80km Rolling Road Race It was a fast start and soon the attacks were coming. On the coast road a nasty move managed to get away but pulled it back with Morgan on my wheel. There was little sign of Alex on the first lap so it fell to me to do the chasing. And chase I did. Freed from the pressure of having to get a result it was a role I enjoyed. I felt good. Sky good. Long stints on the front, putting people out the back, chasing down attacks like they were a Contador attack in the Tour post 2012. Alex popped up and took some seconds at the prime to ensure none of our rivals could make in roads into our slender lead. 7km to go I dropped back to the rear of the bunch looking for the yellow jersey, only to be told by Mike that he had cramped and been dropped half a lap ago. F*k. That means I'll have to try and salvage something now. Wish I hadn't been chasing about so much, coulda done with some of those watts. By the time I got back to the front two riders had clipped off, including strong man Vince Thomas. Knowing my other team-mate Alex was virtual leader and those guys needed to be marked or brought back I picked my moment on Crack Hill and jumped across. Two other riders grabbed my wheel and we ended up with 4 riders working together and a small gap. Pressing on we prised open the gap - hitting the long finishing drag we called a truce and worked to expand our gap. At 1km to go I sensed my breakaway companions weakening so hit the front. Passing 100m to go I began to think I might get the win but got rolled on the line by one of the other riders. I'd managed to drop the other two so....looks like I was in yellow ahead of tomorrows QUEEN stage. Post race interviews done, I headed to my parents in BRYN so I could sleep at ALTITUDE. Evening:BBQ, Godzilla (it was ok) and fake tan top up. STAGE 2: 80km HILLY road race. Much frantic checking of weather which promised a sunny day. Sure enough it was pssing down when I woke up and continued right up until the start. Not only was my morale in my boots but it meant I couldn't wear my yellow shoes and socks. Merde. Didn't bother with a team talk, I was too busy checking the BBC weather app again. Setting off team PT seemed to be flagging and I was isolated...after a few kms of this I went back and gave them a Hinault 'team talk' and soon they were rolling through on the front, discouraging soft moves on the flat Heol Y cyw common before the climbs started proper when I'd have to look after myself. Morgan was an engine, stringing the whole bunch out and putting everyone in the gutter. Alex got stuck in too, it was like being in US Postal...without the, ahem, sophisticated doping programme. We hit the long steep climb of Blackmill (1.4km at 7 % although sections of 16% +) with time bonuses at the top. A few skirmishes at the bottom before I took up the front. A skinny junior went over me and dammit, I couldn't hold him. Alex jumped on him and they took the time bonuses at the top while I picked up 5 seconds for 3rd. The junior then had a gap on me but Alex was right next to him - this junior looked handy and put his head down, seeing an opportunity. Alex hesitated and soon we had caught him. A few nasty climbs followed which we suffered through, me feeling the effects of going hard up the previous climb. By the time we were through the MOUNTAINS, the kid had a minute. Dammit. Where was he on GC?? No-one knew. He was certainly part of the team that we were watching, but I was pretty sure not one of the numbers who was close. By now the Squadra were suffering, unsurprising given the efforts so far. Over the climbs I started to help. I led it over the next hill prime which, pausing briefly to let Vince Thomas take the points and picking up the chase again the other side. By the time we got to the flat LA Squadra had come round and went full gas through Heol Y Cyw. We were holding the kid at 40 - 60 seconds (Christ he must be strong). I was conscious with a hill finish and some close competitors I couldn't afford to leave it all on the road. However I was beginning to get desperate and I started to ride...only for one of the kid's team-mates to come up to me and say...you do know he's 35 minutes down? Apparently he punctured twice yesterday, barely finished the stage and was miles down. Part of me worried this was a great RUSE....but I took the risk. Mainly coz it meant I wouldn't have to cycle my bike hard anymore. Devoid of a bunch engine and with an exhausted peloton the pace fell off considerably and it was more or less a procession until the bottom of the climb. Alex and Morgna then went FULL GAS, USPS style keeping the tempo high to the bottom and after a few attacks from others I jumped the bunch and took an easy 2nd place SEALING my victory. Alex grabbed 2nd overall making it a PT 1-2 on GC! Not only that - we won the Team GC!! So to recap: Port Talbot Wheelers 1st Team Time Trial 2nd Stage 1a Road Race 2nd Stage 2 Road Race 1st Overall 2nd Overall 1st Team GC Not a bad haul! Interviews followed, I felt sorry for those who can't believe in miracles and then it was back to mow the grass and another disappointing Tour stage on TV. Just like Contador does after the Tour. It was a great weekend and an absolutely amazing team performance. We beat teams on paper far stronger than us in the TTT and it was down to great rides by everyone there, especially Morgan. In the road stages they suffered for the greater good and put up with my shouting and ordering. I'm just glad that I can now consider to have a palmares almost as good as CJs. But before I get too happy and think ahead to the next race, I have to face the DISASTER that is my 2nd cat licence dropping through the letter box. Take it easy on me in the scratch group next year Tank. . _______________ The Force is strong in this one...
DickieG	#3 Mon Jul 20, 2015 11:00 pm
Member	Hahaha!!!....Great write up, nevermind DC, for a moment there I thought David Walsh was reporting :0). Congrats guys, brilliant effort. Rich
Alfie	#4 Tue Jul 21, 2015 6:22 am
Administrator	Again, congratulations on the win and on a superb race report. _______________ "The most important thing in life is not to have the most, but to need the least.” Plato (my favourite Disney character).
dave hendry	#5 Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:53 am
Member	A great weekend of racing , hats off to the team ,superb effort to witness throughout all the stages , well done boys !!
DickieG	#6 Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:37 am
Member	https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6ygAlxlwZBs&feature=youtu.be
Alfie	#7 Wed Jul 22, 2015 12:24 pm
Administrator	Is that Sir Dave Brailsford at 3:40? _______________ "The most important thing in life is not to have the most, but to need the least.” Plato (my favourite Disney character).
Ray Mathews	#8 Wed Jul 22, 2015 3:40 pm
Administrator	Excellent write up.
dvlloyd	#9 Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:33 pm
Member	Excellent win and even better write up. Only Alex off the winning team has entered Welsh Crit Champs in Porthcawl. _______________ sleep is for the weak
dave hendry	#10 Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:33 pm
Member	Alf lol , he's been on the phone ,asking if I know any good time keepers good laugh flying the PTW flag
DickieG	#11 Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:27 pm
Member	More footage of PTW interest (2-23)..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWww7B-lAAo&feature=youtu.be

pip

#0 Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:15 pm

Member

Big congratulations to our Davey Crowley for winning the event overall.

« Last edit by pip on Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:33 pm. »

Davey C

#2 Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:06 pm

Member

Of course Alf!

Etape de La Defonce 2 Day STAGE RACE: 3/4

OFFICIAL REPORT

A race that has a long history for Port Talbot Wheelers - past champions include CJ and Dan Pearson, true class. Other members know this race well, having all tasted it's bitter fruit on different occasions.

My last experience of this race was in that glorious summer of sport, 2012, when a hastily put together Port Talbot team was dragged off a beach to complete the team at the last minute for Port Talbot Wheelers. Unlike Contador pre 2012, it was a disaster with me finally getting dropped on the last MOUNTAIN stage and rolling in hours down.

This year the race however, we had assembled a good QUARTET that would form the Squadra Rosa for our assault on yellow.

Forming the PT team were myself (obv), genuine PT member Morgan Hendry (young rider who did the 4 up with us a month ago), FAKE PT member Alex Thomas, (young guy, now 2nd cat thanks to many many good results), FAKE PT member Mike Hall who left PT in the winter for a free pair of shorts and chance to be part of a bike shop team. But we won't hold that against him. Much.

There were strong local teams from Forza Cycles and Onit Sports who I had pegged as the guys to watch. There were also many other teams from England and were unknowns.

Nevertheless, I had a good feeling about our ability to at be 'up there'.

STAGE 1 10km TTT

An out and back course, with a few nasty climbs. Not an easy one to pace or ride as a team, this is where the race can be lost.

Having had experience recently of a typical TTT, ie go out of the blocks hard, kill all your team-mates and wonder why you finish minutes down our tactic was simple. Ride within ourselves until the turn and the big climb, then start pressing on.

I led off, keen to get the pacing right from the word go I felt very slow out of the gate, which was perfect. despite not having ridden as a unit all of the others knew what needed to be done and the pace was kept right on the button.

We made the turn and started the climb. Morgan hit the front and lifted it, but to a perfect point right on the rivet. Mike went at the bottom, but that was planned so we pressed on, Mike having given us some good turns on the way out. Over the top Morgan peeled off and I took up the front. Alex soon started to suffer and we lost some seconds as he missed turns and we had to slow but there was NO panic on board and Morgan and I took up the slack.

Morgan led us over the line in 16.47, which I knew was a respectable time. Great thought I, we may not be too far down. Now to Costas in middle class Cowbridge to relax before the APRES MIDI stage.

The other guys rolled off and as I was leaving the car park a little while later to meet them the organiser's assistant came running up asking me together the team, because we had WON and as the race was being filmed for a Welsh Cycling promotional VIDEO we needed to do INTERVIEWS.

Team gathered interviews done we set about thinking about how on earth we were going to hold on to this accursed GARMENT. Morgan had the jersey being first over the line. In a touching, X Factor, soft piano music type moment, it was a nice moment for him. Last winter he was the VICTIM of a hit and run which left him in plaster for a month or two with a broken leg and collar bone. His turn on crack hill probably won us the stage so it was only right he wore the jersey. It was mature, well paced ride from Morgan, showing a class beyond his years.

It was agreed we'd mark moves from Onit and Forza, who were our closest rivals as expected, by no more than a few seconds. Plan agreed, we rolled to the start.

STAGE 1A : 80km Rolling Road Race

It was a fast start and soon the attacks were coming. On the coast road a nasty move managed to get away but pulled it back with Morgan on my wheel. There was little sign of Alex on the first lap so it fell to me to do the chasing.

And chase I did. Freed from the pressure of having to get a result it was a role I enjoyed. I felt good. Sky good. Long stints on the front, putting people out the back, chasing down attacks like they were a Contador attack in the Tour post 2012.

Alex popped up and took some seconds at the prime to ensure none of our rivals could make in roads into our slender lead.

7km to go I dropped back to the rear of the bunch looking for the yellow jersey, only to be told by Mike that he had cramped and been dropped half a lap ago. F**k. That means I'll have to try and salvage something now. Wish I hadn't been chasing about so much, coulda done with some of those watts.

By the time I got back to the front two riders had clipped off, including strong man Vince Thomas. Knowing my other team-mate Alex was virtual leader and those guys needed to be marked or brought back I picked my moment on Crack Hill and jumped across. Two other riders grabbed my wheel and we ended up with 4 riders working together and a small gap. Pressing on we prised open the gap - hitting the long finishing drag we called a truce and worked to expand our gap. At 1km to go I sensed my breakaway companions weakening so hit the front. Passing 100m to go I began to think I might get the win but got rolled on the line by one of the other riders. I'd managed to drop the other two so....looks like I was in yellow ahead of tomorrows QUEEN stage.

Post race interviews done, I headed to my parents in BRYN so I could sleep at ALTITUDE.

Evening:BBQ, Godzilla (it was ok) and fake tan top up.

STAGE 2: 80km HILLY road race.

Much frantic checking of weather which promised a sunny day. Sure enough it was p*ssing down when I woke up and continued right up until the start. Not only was my morale in my boots but it meant I couldn't wear my yellow shoes and socks. Merde.

Didn't bother with a team talk, I was too busy checking the BBC weather app again. Setting off team PT seemed to be flagging and I was isolated...after a few kms of this I went back and gave them a Hinault 'team talk' and soon they were rolling through on the front, discouraging soft moves on the flat Heol Y cyw common before the climbs started proper when I'd have to look after myself. Morgan was an engine, stringing the whole bunch out and putting everyone in the gutter. Alex got stuck in too, it was like being in US Postal...without the, ahem, sophisticated doping programme.

We hit the long steep climb of Blackmill (1.4km at 7 % although sections of 16% +) with time bonuses at the top. A few skirmishes at the bottom before I took up the front. A skinny junior went over me and dammit, I couldn't hold him. Alex jumped on him and they took the time bonuses at the top while I picked up 5 seconds for 3rd. The junior then had a gap on me but Alex was right next to him - this junior looked handy and put his head down, seeing an opportunity. Alex hesitated and soon we had caught him.

A few nasty climbs followed which we suffered through, me feeling the effects of going hard up the previous climb. By the time we were through the MOUNTAINS, the kid had a minute. Dammit. Where was he on GC?? No-one knew. He was certainly part of the team that we were watching, but I was pretty sure not one of the numbers who was close.

By now the Squadra were suffering, unsurprising given the efforts so far. Over the climbs I started to help. I led it over the next hill prime which, pausing briefly to let Vince Thomas take the points and picking up the chase again the other side. By the time we got to the flat LA Squadra had come round and went full gas through Heol Y Cyw. We were holding the kid at 40 - 60 seconds (Christ he must be strong). I was conscious with a hill finish and some close competitors I couldn't afford to leave it all on the road. However I was beginning to get desperate and I started to ride...only for one of the kid's team-mates to come up to me and say...you do know he's 35 minutes down? Apparently he punctured twice yesterday, barely finished the stage and was miles down. Part of me worried this was a great RUSE....but I took the risk. Mainly coz it meant I wouldn't have to cycle my bike hard anymore.

Devoid of a bunch engine and with an exhausted peloton the pace fell off considerably and it was more or less a procession until the bottom of the climb. Alex and Morgna then went FULL GAS, USPS style keeping the tempo high to the bottom and after a few attacks from others I jumped the bunch and took an easy 2nd place SEALING my victory. Alex grabbed 2nd overall making it a PT 1-2 on GC!

Not only that - we won the Team GC!!

So to recap:

Port Talbot Wheelers

1st Team Time Trial
2nd Stage 1a Road Race
2nd Stage 2 Road Race

1st Overall
2nd Overall

1st Team GC

Not a bad haul!

Interviews followed, I felt sorry for those who can't believe in miracles and then it was back to mow the grass and another disappointing Tour stage on TV. Just like Contador does after the Tour.

It was a great weekend and an absolutely amazing team performance. We beat teams on paper far stronger than us in the TTT and it was down to great rides by everyone there, especially Morgan.

In the road stages they suffered for the greater good and put up with my shouting and ordering. I'm just glad that I can now consider to have a palmares almost as good as CJs.

But before I get too happy and think ahead to the next race, I have to face the DISASTER that is my 2nd cat licence dropping through the letter box. Take it easy on me in the scratch group next year Tank.

.

_______________
The Force is strong in this one...