CDNW Road Race – Capernwray

5 of the Bill Nickson Racing team travelled north on Sunday to take part in another CDWN road race, on the tough and demanding capernwray circuit.

 

The riders racing were myself Tom Dalton, James Warren, Frank Pilkington, Adam Mitchell and John Findlay.

 

Every rider knows this circuit is tough, and requires both good legs and a natural ability to go uphill. Before the race started, we made the obvious plan to work towards the goal of delivering James Warren fresh for the finish and in a good position. James is the best climber in our team, and a course and finish like this suits him well. We also have John Findlay who can also make some good moves on the climbs.

 

The race began at a fast pace, with riders even being dropped the first time up the climb in the neutralised section of the race. The first lap up the climb in race conditions was quick, and took a 60 man bunch down to around a group of 35 riders, with many unable to keep with the pace. At this point unfortunately Adam dropped a wheel on the climb, and was unable to regain position and was out of the race. Adam, another rider like myself is suited to the faster but flatter racing where positioning and leg speed comes over straight climbing ability.

 

It was around lap 3 of the 5 lap race that a break of 3 riders rode clear over the summit of the main climb, soon building a decent gap around 35 seconds, another rider soon bridged and made the break into 4. At this point in the race the rest of the bunch remained together, only splitting up further each time up the climb, before a select group of only 20 remained. In this bunch James was constantly looking strong in the front, John was feeling good and staying in the wheels, and I at this point was beginning to grit my teeth to stay in contention, I knew I had to dig deep to stay in contact to possibly help in the final for James, and also to get some good training in the legs for the coming races.

 

On the final lap of the race the break still held 20 seconds, dangling up the road. The main bunch cruised up the climb on the bell lap, clear signs fireworks were going to go off on the final ascent. Once over the top at the bell, riders were reluctant to chase, in fear of tiring before the showdown. At this point myself and James had a quick chat, that the break down the road was too dangerous to be allowed room so late, and that I would commit myself to bringing back the break. Its another sign in our team that we are prepared to work for the strongest rider, and the rider who is most likely to offer us a win on the day.

 

The finish at Capernwray is right at the top of a 1.5km climb, that kicks up twice, with the final 200m on a tough gradient. I knew after 2-3 laps I could not win on a finish like that, after 1km of climbing there were other riders looking stronger than me, so it was right I committed to bringing the break back, so James could light it up on the climb. After 1 lap of pretty much going as deep as I could on the front, the break was back in, with around 3km remaining. Its always important to bring the break back early enough, to stop any confusion & panic chasing in the final.

 

Once the break was back, I was quickly dropped, leaving James and John both in perfect positions for the finish. The eventual winner of the race, from Team 3-1 attacked at the foot of the climb, and the bunch hesitated and all looked around, in racing its moments like this that can win or loose the race, everybody knows they need to go now, but who wants to drag everyone to the finish? You have to stick to your guns and wait. James managed to wait and show a calm head, waiting for the bunch to swarm to the finish before kicking for the line, getting a brilliant 3^rd place on the day. John also rode well to claim 10^th another good result.

 

James was clearly disappointed to only get 3^rd, but as I said afterwards on another day the final would have played out differently, and when someone attacks early, it’s a gamble whether to go or not.

 

Frank riding in the elite race, again showed his class by finishing with the main bunch. I would personally say this is franks most impressive ride so far, if not for the team. Frank is now the first rider we have from the team genuinely competing with elite level riders, and on such a savage course, it was a great ride. I think if he picks his races correctly and makes the right moves in the race, frank could win something big this year.

 

James can be confident from gaining 3^rd place, with Oakenclough, Bole Hill and Dolphinholme all still months away, he really should not worry the win will come.

 

Main thing is we are all looking strong, and more importantly all prepared to throw our cards in for 1 rider when required, and that’s bike racing.

 

Until Soon,

 

Tom

Merseyside Wheelers Road Race – Pimbo

Five riders from the Bill Nickson racing team rode the Merseyside Wheelers Road Race on Sunday on the Pimbo circuit.

Riders racing were Myself, Frank Pilkington, Ade Mawdsley, a returning Bill Nickson and new team rider James Claydon.

The 50mile pan flat race started in a fast fashion, with many riders attempting to attack and break clear. It was around the 9^th of 20 laps that 7 riders managed to make a break, and got to work.

The break soon had a lead of around 50 seconds, and were clearly working together to stay away from the large chasing peleton. Both Frank and James were both very active in the race, attempting several times to get involved with chase groups and bridge across, but the bunch soon had many of these moves brought back.

With 3 laps to go the break still dangled around 40 seconds, and the bunch finally woke up and began to drive some pace, and the gap started to come down, ever so slowly. On the bell lap the 7 riders were holding 20 seconds, with the bunch showing no sign of a mass chase, and no teams controlling a lead out chase either. At this point both myself and Frank launched a final bid to get across, and soon had a little group of 5 driving 100% across the gap.

This hard effort looked to be paying off, catching the break at a surprisingly fast rate, this select group of 5 were almost across! The break had clearly sat up and were spent. As we turned around the now chasing bunch were coming real fast into the finish, frustrating to see as a big effort had just been made by two of our key riders for the finale.

At around 600m to go, the break has a mere 5 seconds, on the flying bunch. The experienced Bill Nickson soon came to the front the close this final gap, and dropped me off around 500m to go in a solid position. From there my attempt to follow to wheels to the finish proved unsuccessful, after the 1km to go attack and further attempts to jump on Bill’s wheel I had truly ruined my chances off using one big kick for the line.

The bunch soon swamped round me, with James Claydon coming round for a very well placed and deserved 9^th. Other riders placed down in the bunch, Ade using his opening race of 2012 to find legs, Frank was 100% spent after several monster attacks, Bill has dedicated himself to close the gap, and I had unfortunately spent too much energy inside the final 1km and let the side down there.

A disappointing result for the team, but with James Claydon placing 9^th it was not a wasted day. James was very active in this race, and showed a great turn of speed at the line. An experience track rider, with a few more road races under his belt I feel this guy could do some good things, he has the talent to climb, sprint and is not afraid to get involved.

Personally I felt very disappointed with this race, my good form and condition seems to have had a negative affect in the past 2 races for me. Feeling strong at times has encouraged me to make the wrong moves tactically twice now, in the final part of races. I know if I did not chase in the finale, and sat in the wheels that swarmed to the finish line, there is no doubt I would have won this race. It is easy to say after the race, but I know I am easily the fastest rider there when fresh and save my legs for 200m.

It is a lesson learnt, and I now have to start letting the races come to me in future races.

The team will race next at Capenwray on Sunday, the most demanding race of the calendar in my eyes, and we plan to go there fully committed to James Warren, and I will do all I can to put him in a good position for the final where he can do his thing on the climb.

My form is good, the team are all in great form, if we just play our tactical cards a little better, I have no doubt we will have a number of wins this summer for the team.

My own aim is to go good for all the town centre races, races I have loved since 2010 when Bill took a clean sweep of all the crits, followed in 2011 by Gary Adamson. This year those races are coming back to Nickson Racing!

Until soon,

Tom

CDNW Event 3 – Cockermouth

After a disappointing showing at Saighton, five team riders made the trip to Cockermouth in the lake district for another CDNW road race.

 

The riders were Myself, James Warren, John Findlay, Adam Mitchell and Frank Pilkington.

 

Frank riding with the elites finished well in the pack, on a course that was extremely tough and in hot conditions. The race was won again by Node4’s Pete Williams, a rider of true class who at the moment seems to be able to ride away for the win as and when he decides. All this racing and conditioning at this level will only stand Frank in good ground for future races, when he will have chance to show his real form and ride for the wins. Riding with fulltime paid professional riders will always be difficult, and the level now is so high, Frank has to be pleased so far how his season is going.

 

In the support race, the bunch wasted no time in establishing moves and breaks, with one finally sticking on lap 2, with 5 riders going clear.

 

At the halfway point, with no Nickson riders represented, James Warren made a great move, attacking on the back of the circuit taking 3 riders with him. As always in these support races a Bill Nickson jersey is heavily marked, and a hot pursuit came with 10-15 riders chasing James and his group. James did the right thing at this point, and remaining committed to the move, and gave 100% to getting across to the winning break. After 5-10 minutes of dangling 20 seconds off the bunch, the bunch sat up and James and his 2 chase group helpers rode away. Everyone knows in the team James has the power to do that, and going pedal for pedal with him you really have little chance of winning.

 

James managed to bridge to gap to the break, after 1.5 laps of chasing, a really impressive ride and tactical move on a course like this.

 

With James now in the break, myself, Adam and John had the luxury of sitting in the wheels from there on. I unfortunately punctured at the halfway mark, and Adam and John finished safely in the bunch.

 

James managed to finish 5^th from the break of 8, on a very tough finale. James can be happy with this position, as he did a great ride, and did not make life easy for himself by having to bridge across after missing the break, but should now give him the confidence that he can still use his power to get back in the races in future. Maybe if James was in the break from the word go, the finale would have been different, but that’s racing and why we love it so much the tactics involved.

 

Until Soon,

 

Tom  

CDNW Event 2 – Saighton

Four riders took part in the second CDNW event at the saighton circuit inChester, a nice rolling circuit with a tough little drag finale.

 

Myself, James Warren and Dave Crowley rode the support race, with Frank Pilkington again riding with the elite riders.

 

The support race started again with an early pace, with riders keen to get down the road and make the race. After around 3 laps of the 9 lap race a break of four riders went clear, soon building a gap of around 50 seconds to a minute. With no Bill Nickson riders represented in the move, a watchful eye still had to be kept on the situation.

 

At the halfway point the break were clearly working well together, building a further lead each lap. On the realisation of this, the team sent Dave Crowley to the front to do some damage and bring the break back for the sprint. With Dave announcing early doors he does not feel too good, and his training has been slack of late, the team decided it was better to use a weaker man now, and bring down some of the gap.

 

However, even a ‘weak’Crowleycan deliver some serious pain as it appeared. Dave managed to spend 2 whole laps on the front, keeping the race in a single line, with riders pinging off the back along the A road, as Crowler showed what a force he is when the hammer goes down. I consider myself a fast paced rider with no real issue with riding fast along the flats, but even this sustained pace for two laps started to tickle my legs, I even had riders from team opposition looking and asking me ‘What is that guy on’ a great sight to see Dave back in the bunch, doing what he does best, hurting people.

 

With 2 laps to go the break still had 30 seconds, a clear sign they were 100% committed to staying away. With this in mind, myself and James Warren launched a number of attacks in the closing stages to get across, only to be following by 65 chasing riders.

 

With 1km to go, the break still held 20 seconds, and at this point again myself and James attacked to make the junction, we did managed to bridge with 200m to go, only to be swamped by the sitting on bunch.

 

A disappointing finish to a race where as a team we rode and felt strong, but a lesson learnt that chasing the race, or showing your prepared to chase, can work in a negative way.

 

Frank again rode with the elite riders, won by Pete Williams, a man in clear form. Frank managed to finish in the bunch once again, showing he has both the form and mindset to ride now with these top guys.

 

Until Soon,

 

Tom  

CDNW Event 1 – Pimbo

Five riders from the team took part in the opening CDNW event at the Pimbo circuit in Skemersdale.

 

The riders were James Warren, Frank Pilkington, Adam Mitchell, John Findlay and myself Tom Dalton.

 

In the support race a fast pace started the race, with a number of riders active trying to test the legs in this early season race. After around 10 laps of the pan flat circuit the bunch was still together, with no break managing to build a significant gap. Around the half way mark of the race, a break finally established itself, a lone break from a rider from Macclesfield Wheelers.

 

With the bunch not expecting this lone rider to make too much of a dent, they sat up briefly for the next 3-4 laps. With the escapee realising this, he went on with putting his head down and working, soon building a minute lead. With only now 3 laps remaining and the gap showing no sign of reducing, I instructed some help at the front from team mates to bring back this solo. After a good winter of training this 39 mile race really felt us feeling fresh, and with my confidence in the sprint, James and Adam went ahead full gas with a pursuit of the breakaway.

 

This really was a case of the Team throwing all the cards in, for the sprint. After 3 laps of through and off from James and Adam, without a single turn or help from other teams and riders, the race was all together.

 

I had said to the team make sure the race is together on the last lap and we will have a victory. Adam Mitchell managed to drop me off 3^rd wheel with around 600m to go, I then freestyled through the wheels before launching my sprint with 220m to go, at around 60m to go I realised this race was in the bag and began to sat up for the usual Nickson Logo celebration.

 

In the elite race, Frank managed to finish in the bunch, in a race that was super high speed with numerous attacks each lap. Credit to Frank riding both Soens and the elite pimbo in one weekend and completing both fairly well, a sign of his hard work over winter.

 

Overall a great opening weekend for the Bill Nickson Team, with the credits really going to James and Adam for there selfless help in the race for me to win.

 

It was great to see Adam back racing again, and great to see him at the business end of the races making a difference.

 

Until Soon,

 

Tom  

Eddie Soens

3 team riders took part in the eddie soens handicap at aintree race course.

Frank Pilkington, John Findlay and myself, my opening race of the 2012 season.

Another handicap event, the race was all together after 10 laps, with the elite riders taking on the race and looking to force moves. With poor weather conditions and a very nervous peleton nothing managed to stay clear, and a high pace continued for the remaining 20 laps.

Frank again looked active early doors going with any dangerous moves, John Findlay tested his legs to see where early season form is, and I sat in the bunch flicking elbows and fighting riders.

This scrappy affair ended in a bunch sprint with Russ downing taking the win, showing he is real class.

Personally we were left slightly frustrated as I was well positioned around 10th wheel coming into the bell lap, only to loose position after another rider crashed splitting the field.

First race of the year, and the form was good and a definate show of all the training over winter. The poor result today was simply a case of bad positioning.

Tomorrow the full squad will race the opening CDNW event at pimbo. We have a strong team in our race, my form is good and I know we have a great chance of winning, with 2-3 cards to play out.

Until soon

Clayton Velo Classic

Two team riders took on last weekends opening race of the season, the clayton velo spring classic.

The handicap race is always an early season opener, giving riders a chance to find out early doors where the form is from all the winters work.

Frank Pilkington and James warren rode the race. As normal the elite group soon had the race all together at the halfway point, before a break of 8 riders was established in the closing laps, containing most of the big teams, it was a done deal.

Frank rode an active race and managed to finish comfortably within the bunch, and James used the race to continue building in some speed work.

Richard hepworth took the win from the breakaway.