Report: Stockbridge Down Road Race

Colin Parry is King of Stockbridge Down after winning the road race there in torrential rain on Sunday

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Eamonn Deane writes … Colin Parry (Willier/live to ride) won the 3rd edition of the Stockbridge Down Road Race in torrential rain. Parry claimed his seventh win of the season, outsprinting Tom Stockdale (Primal Europe) on the climb to the finish. Parry seemed to shift onto the big ring smoother than Stockdale and the gap was there.

It was a disappointing field of just 43 and perhaps the time of year and the forecast of heavy rain deterred the “sign on the line riders”. Neutralised through the aspiring Hampshire market town of Stockbridge, the good life was over for the small peloton as suddenly as the was flag dropped. The Stockbridge Down circuit enjoys a reputation as a hard man’s course and the wet and windy conditions made it a tough day out for all.

The initial five man break of Parry, Stockdale, Rob Ward (ASFRA Racing Team), Phillip Peters (Cannondale Racing) & junior, Mitch Webber (Andover Wheelers) split the bunch and the pattern was set for the next 62 miles. Webber soon dropped back and Stockdale punctured leaving just three at the front as the rain got heavier. Phil Reynolds(Peter Hansford Racing) and VC ST Raphael pair, Rowan Horner & Simon Brooks tried to bridge across to the leaders through the picture postcard village of Crawley, the move looked good but contact could not be made.

Meanwhile, Stockdale had regained contact with the fast dwindling bunch, having been forced to wait for a front wheel from neutral service. He did not stay long in the wheels and only Reynolds could stay with him as he pursued the leaders.

At the bell, Ward and Peters, who had both ridden well, had been replaced by Stockdale & Reynolds. Along with Parry they had a gap of 10 seconds on the valiant Ward and 50 on the stragglers. Through the lanes for the final time and Parry attacked dropping the fading Reynolds, Stockdale could not be shaken so easily though and it was clear the final climb would decide it.

What they said;
Colin Parry “With a day like this you have to stay near the front at all times, I was quite lucky I had quite an easy ride really, I was aware Tom had punctured, quite impressive of him to chase back on. I was mindful of that at the finish. It was obvious Tom was riding really well but I felt I had the better finish, on the brow of the hill I just went as hard as I could”

Tom Stockdale “It was a tough race, I punctured, I had to wait a few minutes to get a wheel, I kept working hard with the bunch and then
attacked to get back to the break. I fancied my chances for the win, but Colin got a bit of a jump on me, as soon as he gets a gap you don’t see him again”

Phil Reynolds “ That was the hardest race I have ever done”

Mitch Webber “ I planned to go early, I tried to stay in but could not handle it, I felt alright at the start but I got really cold”

Grant Bayton “I got so cold my body just completely shut down, when I was younger I might have been able to tolerate it”.

To see photos of the race, click here 

Results
1. Colin Parry – Wilier/Live2ride 2hrs 46mins 46secs (65miles – 5 Laps)
2. Tom Stockdale – Primal Europe @ 4secs
3. Phil Reynolds – Peter Hansford Cycles @ 1m 36s
4. Nic Tilling – GWR Team @ 2m 04s
5. Rowan Horner – VC St Raphael @ 2m 13s
6. James Wilson – Supernovacycles.com @ 2m 20s
7. Dante Carpenter – Cube Fintro @ 2m 30s 1st Junior
8. Richard Phillips-Schofield – Hantspol CC @2m 47s
9. Rob Ward – Asfra RT @3m 17s
10. Andy Bryson – Peter Hansford Cycles @4m 40s
11. Simon Brooks – VC St Raphael @4m 47s
12. Oliver Hitchings – Peter Hansford Cycles @4m 48s
13. Matthew Ullmer – Team Traveller @6m 19s
14. Cameron Campbell – Army CU @7m 59s
15. Duncan Lancashire – Behind the Bikeshed @8m 51s
16. Phil Peters – Cannondale Racing @9m 40s
17. Simon Healey – Andover Wheelers @10m 55s
18. James Atherton – VC St Raphael @22m 49s

 

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