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In a race of never-ending changing fortunes Derby-born Robin Sharman, (Recycling.com) sprinted home to win the 2nd Rutland–Melton CiCLE Classic in the main street of Melton Mowbray last Sunday in front of once again a large and appreciative crowd.
Having started in Oakham just under four hours earlier the 125 starters flagged away by Rutland County Council Chairman, V.J.Degay and local MP Alan Duncan, made light work of the two laps around Rutland Water before heading towards the small roads south of the A606 for 60 miles of racing on narrow, rough and mud-covered roads that typify the event and make it so unique within Britain.
On its first entry to Owston the large crowd that had gathered in this village which represents the ‘heart’ of the race saw the bunch of riders in full flight. It was not long before the long snaking bunch line broke and many began taking an ‘early bath’.
Attack after attack followed, from the likes of pre-race favourites ex-Tour of Spain points winner Malcolm Elliott (Plowman Craven) and French-based Jonathan Dayus (Arctic-Shorter) who have both been winners in recent weeks.
It was not until the first passage of the ‘Somerberg’ track near Knossington at 65 miles that the race fully ‘blew apart’. Made soft by recent rain only the most able and skilled riders were able to maintain the relentless pace set at the front by the above tow and the plethora of Olympic medallists, ex-world and National Champions that this years field contained.
Riding well ahead of the race schedule of 25 miles per hour, no mean feat over the roads and conditions that were faced, on the penultimate passage of Owston Evan Oliphant (Recycling.com) crossed the ‘Hot Spot’ line 40 seconds clear of a chasing group of 20 riders which included three of his own team mates. This lead was wiped out just six miles later as the riders moved towards the reverse passage of Somerberg and the 20 kilometres to go marker. Again this leading group split into three and into Somerby for the last time Elliott punctured. Despite a spirited chase which still earned him 15th place he was never to reach the front of the race again.
The leaders, now just numbering seven riders, four of whom were from the Recycling.com squad, headed for Great Dalby and the last two special sectors of the race at Melton airfield and Kirby Lane, chased by the leading Australian competitor Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers-Caravello) at 30 seconds. On Kirby Lane the leaders suddenly became six as last year’s British Premier Calendar series winner Robin Sharman (Recycling.com) suddenly found the pace too high and dropped from the back of the leading group led by a powerful duo of Andy Roche (Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Team) and Jonathan Dayus (Arctic-Shorter). Onto Burton Road however the leading six slowed, with the above two no doubt concerned at the imbalance caused in the group by the three remaining Recycling.com riders which included ex-World Points and Team Pursuit Champion Chris Newton, and Christian House, winner only the weekend previously of the prestigious Lincoln Grand Prix.
As they plunged towards Melton town centre at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour on the roads made secure by the sterling efforts and support of the Leicestershire Constabulary, a fast moving Sharman made surprise contact once again and in doing so continued his effort going clear before his erstwhile companions could respond. As the group sped past St Mary’s Church with just 200 metres to the finish line in Sherrard Street, Roche looked to be strong enough to catch Sharman, but in a quirk of fate he misjudged the turn and crashed heavily into a crowd barrier. Whilst Newton and Dayus were able to almost reduce their deficit on Sharman to just a bike length, Sharman held on to take a well deserved win in the CiCLE Classic which after only two years is now the most sought after prize in British single day cycle road racing. After Newton and Dayus, Phil Dixon (Science in Sport) and House and the final Recycling.com rider in the group Dale Appleby completed the leading five, and it was over a minute before the leading chasers, led by the best local rider, Daniel Booth (Magura) from Coalville, outsprinted Australian McDonald for seventh place.
For his efforts Dayus was awarded the Melton Building Society ‘Most Combative’ rider award, while Elliott, finally home in 15th place at 1 minute 21 seconds, proved a clear winner in the Nottingham East Midlands Airport ‘High Flyer’ King of the Hills competition.
In total just 60 riders finished the race, the last over 17 minutes behind the winner, giving emphasis to the unique and challenging nature of the mixed road and off-road course that the CiCLE Classic presents to those who take part, and enjoyed by so many at the roadside.
Grateful thanks are extended to the following sponsors and supporting agencies:
Masterfoods Ltd
Manor Farm Feeds and Rural Training Centre (Owston)
Nottingham East Midlands Airport
Melton Mowbray Building Society
Rutland County Council
Melton Borough Council
Oakham Town Council
Leicestershire County Council
LifeCiCLE Sports and Health
Tim Norton Motors (Ford) Oakham (official vehicles)
Lands End Direct Merchants Ltd (officials clothing)
Northfield Farm, Cold Overton
Samworth Brothers (Ginsters Products)
Pedal Power (Loughborough) (Sweepstake prizes)
Melton Computer Centre (Sweepstake prizes)
Twinlakes Leisure Park (Sweepstake prizes)
Leicestershire Constabulary
British Cycling Federation
Science in Sport (Nutritional products)
Onimpex (Bioracer) (Winners jersey)
Melton Times newspapers group.
The Hire Station (Melton)(Barrier supplies)
Shore Design (Winners Trophy Race signs and banners)
Welland SSP (Prime Sponsor)
Stag & Hounds Public House (Burrough) (Prime sponsor)
Vale of Catmose College, Oakham. (Pre race HQ)
King Edward Sports Centre, Melton. (Post race HQ),
Flower Paradise (Winners bouquet)
De Iuliis Wines (Australia) (Winners champagne.)
Rutland Water Cycling
Melton Mowbray Rotaract and Interact Clubs. (Race marshals)
Melton Olympic Cycling Club
Welland Valley Cycling Club (Race marshals)
Witham Wheelers (Race marshals)
Sherwood Cycling Club (Race marshals)
Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic – Results 2006 – Sunday 14th May 2006
1. 2 Robin Sharman Recycling.co.uk 152 kms in 3.50.13
2. 1 Chris Newton Recycling.co.uk st
3. 24 Jonathan Dayus Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT st
4. 13 Phil Dixon ScienceinSport.com @4
5. 4 Kristian House Recycling.co.uk @11
6. 6 Dale Appleby Recycling.co.uk @12
7. 61 Daniel Booth Magura @1.05
8. 7 Peter McDonald Team FRF (Australia) @1.08
9. 8 Joshua Marden Team FRF @1.09
10. 36 Mark McKay Glendene CC\Bike Trax @1.13
11. 76 Mark Lovatt Planet X \ Cycling Plus @1.18
12. 99 David Clarke Nippo KFS vehicles st
13. 12 Ian Wilkinson ScienceinSport.com st
14. 3 Robert Partridge Recycling.co.uk st
15. 20 Malcolm Elliott Plowman Craven – Opera – Leica @1.21
16. 5 Evan Oliphant Recycling.co.uk @1.38
17. 68 Mark Wordsworth JE James RT\ Direct Plastics @2.33
18. 48 Ross Adams Red kite Cycles\Torq Bar @3.04
19. 9 Peter Herzig Team FRF (Australia) @3.13
20. 58 Roy Chamberlain Team Milton Keynes st
21. 98 Greg Roche Nippo KFS vehicles @3.16
22. 17 Robert Hayles Team KLR\Parker International @3.18
23. 10 Cody Stevenson Team FRF (Australia) @4.53
24. 84 Nick Craig Scott UK @6.00
25. 38 Matthew Talbot Glendene CC\Bike Trax @6.08
26. 35 Rob Enslin Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV (RSA) @6.09
27. 28 Michael Brodwith Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT St
28. 85 Dave Collins Scott UK @6.18
29. 11 Joe McDonnell Team FRF (Australia) @7.14
30. 122 Erik Van Lakerveld LWV Swift (Holland) @8.00
31. 90 Sean Polson V.C.Azzurri @9.07
32. 40 Chris Bartlett Glendene CC\Bike Trax @9.35
33. 111 Thomas Gardner Heron Cyclesport @12.18
34. 81 Graeme Hatcher Isle Of Man CG Team st
35. 133 Adam Broyad Climb on Bikes \ Trek st
36. 32 Alex Hagman Agisko-Dart-Cycling TV st
37. 130 Steven Kenny Kuota\Biemme st
38. 25 James Dobbin Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT st
39. 50 Ian Legg Red kite Cycles\Torq Bar st
40. 57 Richard Cartland Team Milton Keynes @13.22
41. 89 Ryan Henry Private Member @14.15
42. 15 Jack Woodward ScienceinSport.com @14.20
43. 26 Tim Bayley Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT st
44. 55 Karl Freeman Team Milton Keynes st
45. 94 Henry Furniss Ride Beyond\bike & Run @14.49
46. 80 Guy Andrews Rapha\Condor st
47. 100 Jonathan Pain Leiosure Lakes RT st
48. 93 Sam Humpherson London Dynamo\Cyclefit st
49. 105 Steve Gibson VC Briganti st
50. Res.147 Neil Beasley Ashfield RC st
51. 29 Allister Tulett Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT st
52. 114 Matthew Jennings Websters Cycling Team st
53. 27 Andy Proffitt Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT st
54. 115 Andrew Stuart Ashfield RC st
55. 116 Daniel Burtt Team Lloyds-TSB ( Aus) st
56. 140 Meurig James Citihub @15.42
57. 97 Chris Parlett Wildside RT @16.14
=58. 45 james Sampson Stilton RT\Specialized @17.13
=58. 118 Peter Williams Kinesis UK st
=58. 132 Adam Weaver Doncaster Whls st
From 125 starters
