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Manx Viking Wheelers email the wheelers at mvw@manx.net |
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Tour of the Wrekin June 05
Stage 1 should have been a 9 lap 63mile rolling stage around the Shropshire lanes but due to an error the lap distance was subsequently measured at 10miles not 7miles. However this had little effect on the result in which the Team Isle of Man riders successively controlled affairs with Jonathon Bellis taking the verdict in a two up sprint. The stage started brightly and with time bonuses on offer the tempo was always high. Graeme Hatcher slipped into the first break of the day but with time bonuses the bunch were reluctant to let anyone go and was reeled back in after two laps off the front. Bellis showed experience above his young age by jumping through the 4th Sprint bonus splitting the field and escaping in a four man group. With Mike Doyle, Tristan Gell, Ashley Whipp and Hatcher controlling the bunch and Bellis driving at the front there was little chance of his group coming back. However it soon became clear to all involved that the lap distances were wrong and with three laps to go the riders were put out of their misery and the bell was rung! Bellis took his cue and demonstrated his excellent form driving hard and splintering the lead group leaving just Bellis and Andy Tennant at the front. Bellis comfortably took the stage (after 78miles!!) and on count back took the Yellow Jersey by just one second after some frantic time bonus calculations.
Stage 2 The riders were assured they faced 85miles based on 4 ¾ laps of fast roads but lumpy roads with a sting in the tail at the end of each lap in the form of the King of the Mountains climb to be tackled 5 times. With the Jersey sat proudly on Manx shoulders the Manx team were aware of their responsibilities and the pressure was immediately removed when Hatcher slipped into a move in the neutralised zone. Sat on the back of the four man break Hatcher had a comfortable ride defending Bellis’ lead leaving Doyle, Gell and Whipp to protect the race leader. Shortly after completing the first lap Hatchers group was captured only for Hatcher to slip away again, this time in a 3 man move quickly gaining 1min30 with Hatcher now leader on the road. Over the top of the climb for the second time, Hatcher snatched vital time bonuses whilst behind the pressure went on with Bellis moving into a chasing group which quickly captured Hatcher. Prior to the third KoM effort, the bunch was all together with the Isle of Man team comfortably in control and with Bellis taking more bonus seconds his lead was becoming more secure. However, with local rider Tennant in 2nd place overall, Bellis came under further pressure as a split went clear at the Bell. With his team mates now happy for Bellis to look after himself with 15miles to go, Bellis was isolated but stood up to the constant counter attacking and with double time bonuses on the finish line, Bellis had only one rider to concentrate on. However with the local combines working against him he was unlucky enough to be pipped to the line by Tennant causing chaos as the two riders were now equal on time. With both riders winning a stage and placing 2nd on the other the organisers had little else to share the spoils but Bellis had the consolation of taking the KoM jersey. The Manx riders would like to thank the Sports Council for their continuing assistance and also Glen Cooper Car Sales for their continued support.
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