Despite the racing being controlled by Bradley Wiggins’ Team Sky, Rapha Condor JLT have continued to fight on bravely at the Tour of Britain, with both Kristian House and Richard Handley getting involved in the action.
On stage five to Caerphilly, Handley made a bid to chase down Tour de France King of the Mountains Nairo Quintana when he attacked on the first passage of Caerphilly Mountain.
Handley (below) hadn’t planned on attacking, but took the initiative in what he knew would be a tough finale.
“I wasn’t planning on going after Quintana when he went the first time, but there was a bit of a lull and I tried to carry on my speed into the climb so I didn’t have to kick when they did attack.â€
After following the leaders over the second ascent where Dan Martin made a huge bid for victory Handley eventually finished the stage well placed in the second group on the road, just a handful of seconds behind the winning break.
Since the race took shape following the stage three time trial, the team’s focus has been to look to try to keep Handley in the best position overall, and use Kristian House to try to get into any dangerous moves.
On stage six across Devon to Haytor the ever-aggressive House escaped with four other riders after a rapid start had split the race into several groups. House, who had also featured in a long escape on stage one, knew that the chances of success were limited, but was keen once again to be part of the action.
“The race has been pretty controlled, and no breaks have made it yet. But you’ve got to keep trying, and at the end of the day if I’m in the front it is taking the pressure off Rich and the boys in the bunch. Besides, you never know when it will stick, and we need to be there for that when and if it does.â€
The break arrived at the foot of the final climb to Haytor – the race’s first ever summit finish – with a slight advantage over a Sky led peloton. However when the hostilities began the leaders were soon swept up, as riders of the caliber of Martin and Quintana tried their luck once again.
While the race was split asunder, Handley hung on to the front group until the final kilometer when the accelerations of the leaders split the group. Handley eventually finished 13th on the stage and moved up to a solid 16th place overall.
The race continues tomorrow with a stage around Surrey before heading to London on Sunday for the final stage.
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- RR Result: East Cleveland Classic
- Features, Reports, Results
- Crit Result: Thruxton Tuesday Series 2
- Crit Result: CDPP Sport Crit Series 1
- Crit Result: SACA Salt Ayre Series 1
- Crit Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits 4
- Crit Result: Rowe & King Maindy 1
- Q&A: Charlie Abraham (Lee Valley Youth Junior Cycling Team)
- Events: SSSCCRRL Road Race League
- Youth Result: Isle of Man Youth League
- Youth Result: Lawford Youth Series (Curborough) #2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series #2
- Crit Result: Ride Flux Spring Crit series #2
- Youth Result: Maindy Flyers Freewheel League 1
- Ribble Collective: Ride More in ’24
- Crit Result: Tameside Cycling Development Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: 2024 West Thames League 1
- Startlist: The Drummond Trophy
- TT Result: VTTA Surrey/Sussex 10 mile TT
- EVENTS: Proper Northern Road Races – Round 2 Oakenclough
- TTT Result: Scorton TTT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 25m TT
- TT Result: Stowmarket & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Paceline RT Sporting TT
- TT Result: Hereford & District Wheelers 25m TT
- RR Result: Yorkshire RRL #1
- Crit Result: Scottish Student Cycling Criterium Championships
- Events: Dave Peck Memorial
- TT Result: Blaydon CC Two Up TT
- TT Result: Kent CA 10m TT
- TT Result: Wessex RC 24m TT
- TT Result: Easterley RC 25m TT
- TT Result: Cranbrook CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Penzance Wheelers 12.5m TT
- TT Result: Fife Century RC 25m TT
- TT Result: Bramley Wheelers 10m TT
- TT Result: Mid Shropshire Wheelers 25m TT
- Youth Result: Hog Hill GP (National Youth Series)
- RR Result: Velo Club Venta Spring Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain
- Crit Result: Ennerdale Season Openers 2
- RR Result: NCRA Handicap RR (week 5)
Other News on VeloUK
- Events: SSSCCRRL Road Race League
- Ribble Collective: Ride More in ’24
- Startlist: The Drummond Trophy
- EVENTS: Proper Northern Road Races – Round 2 Oakenclough
- Events: Dave Peck Memorial
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: PB Performance Espoirs Road Race
- East Cleveland Classic: Saint Piran Team
- News: New kit for Ribble Rebellion Riders
- Events: Halesowen Friday Track Nights
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion off to the USA
- News: Pedal Club Lunch (March)
- Rider News: Winning start for Billy Ladle
- News: CiCLE Classic 2024
- Startlist: Stars of the SW Men’s U23 RR
- Startlist: Danum Trophy 2024 (Nat B)
- Startlists: London Dynamo Road Races
- Startlist: La Fleche Waltonne Road Races (BMCR)
- Meet Ribble HoloRider
- Startlists: East Cleveland Classic 2024
- Former Winners: Lincoln Grand Prix
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- Team Report: Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team
- Team Report: CiCLE Classic Junior Men
- RIDER REPORTS – Zoe Parker (Solihull CC)
- GB News: Two World Titles for GB at Para Worlds
- Team News: Alba Development Road Team
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- THIS WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)