After a number of top five finishes for Node4 Giordana Racing already, Matt Higgins got his first win for his new team with a lone victory in the 130 km Les Ingham Memorial race on the tough Bletchingley course in Surrey.
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Jim Golden writes … Along with teammate James Moss, Matt got into an early four rider group with IG-Sigma Sport rider Wouter Sybrandy and a Felt rider. After a couple of laps, they were told that another Node4 rider, Marcin Bialoblocki, was trying to get across to them so they eased off a little.
But when he did not appear, they pushed the pace back up. Matt said “With two laps to go, we dropped the Felt rider. James had been doing a lot of work in the break, controlling the pace on the hills and I jumped away with half a lap to go. James told me later that Wouter did not even respond. Perhaps he realised that if he dragged me back, James would have gone.”
“Anyway at the finish I had about 30 seconds, riding in by myself which was a great feeling. James then took second and then four or five minutes later, Marcin took the sprint for fourth from about 15 riders. The course is really tough, there is a lot of downhill but you tend to pedal your legs off and then the road goes up again.”
“I have history with the course as I won a stage on here in the Surrey Five Day about four years ago, so I knew what to expect. I am glad to have broken my duck after getting a lot of top fives. Hopefully I have opened the door and there will be more and that will help me get a leg up and get into some of the bigger events.”
“The four days of riding in the Tour of Ireland, a lot of it on the front to ensure James won, must have helped my fitness and perhaps all James’ work for me yesterday was a bit of payback. I am certainly grateful, but that is what teamwork is about.”
“I have upped my training. I have managed to go part time at work, only doing three days. It has not made a terrific difference to my training. But it means I am getting more rest. I would like to get a ride in the Rutland race next weekend; it’s a race I like, but it is up to Malcolm (team manager Malcolm Elliott) what team he picks.”
Result
1. Matthew Higgins Node4 – Giordana Racing
2. James Moss Node4 – Giordana Racing
3. Wouter Sybrandy Team IG – Sigma Sport
4. Marcin Bialoblocki Node4 – Giordana Racing
5. Alex Peters Mosquito Bikes
6. Matthew Pilkington Team Bglobal
7. Simon Ernest AW Cycles
8. Will Stephenson Primera-Specialized
9. Alex Higham Felt-Colbornes RT
10. Roy Chamberlain Team Corley Cycles/Blue
11. Allan Ridler Pedal Heaven RT
12. George Harper Felt-Colbornes RT
13. John Heaton-Armstrong Felt-Colbornes RT
14. Andy Betts Felt-Colbornes RT
15. Anthony Moye Velo29-OTR-Vankru
16. Alex Camier
17. Paul Pickup Pedal Heaven RT
18. Tim Elverson Pedal Heaven RT
19. Martin Ford In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp Racing Team
20. Ashley Cox Team Corley Cycles/Blue
21. Nicholas Wilkinson Dulwich Paragon CC
22. Michael Cripps Army Cycling Union
23. Jamie Pine London Dynamo
24. Daniel Kogan Twenty3c.co.uk Orbea
25. Marcus Brueton Norwood Paragon CC
26. Lawrence Carpenter VO2 Development Team
27 Dr David Murrell London Phoenix CC
28. Richard Cartland Team Corley Cycles/Blue
29. Elliott Porter Team Corridori
30. William Pratt Dulwich Paragon CC
31. Christopher Ansell Team Corridori
32. Roger Smith Southdowns Bikes Cycling Club
33. Ian Taylor Adept Precision Racing Team/North East Healthcare Solutions
34. Clem Berrill Twenty3c.co.uk Orbea
35. Craig Joy Team Toachim
36. Darren Barclay Arctic Sram RT
37. Rhys Clegg P M Racing
38. Andy Edwards Kingston Whls CC
39. Arjan Planting Dulwich Paragon CC
40. Joe Norledge Velo29-OTR-Vankru
41. James Humphries Norwood Paragon CC
42. Andrew Dolan Team Toachim
43. Taylor Johnstone Team De ver
44. Mike Hawkins Norwood Paragon CC
