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)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 10m TT
- TT Result: Gillingham & Dist Whs Hardriders
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 25m TT
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- TT Result: Maidenhead & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA Time Trial
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 10m TT
- TT Result: Pendle Forest CC Hilly TT
- TT Result: Plomesgate CC 10m TT
- Crit Results: Exeter University Early Season Crits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT Darley Moor #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LUCC Spring Crit Series 2
- Crit Result: Spokes RT Season Starter 2
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC Hardriders TT
- TT Result: Tavistock Whs Sporting TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly TT
- HC Result: Darlington CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: Barrow Central Wheelers 20.2m TT
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- Crit Result: Brownlee Centre (Leeds)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 2)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 1)
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- Crit Result: Westpoint Youth Stage Race
- Video Interviews 2023: Ollie Peckover
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 21m TT
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- TT Result: City RC Hull 2-Up TTT
Other News on VeloUK
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- STARTLIST: Junior Men/Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Entry List: The Peaks 2 Day (18/19 March)
- News: Conti’s Strongest GP 5000 Tyre
- Startlist: Harold H Nelson Memorial Day of Racing
- Team News: Halesowen A & CC Academy 2023
- News: Saint Piran Women to go UCI
- NEWS: 2023/24 Cyclocross National Trophy/Champs
- Startlists: Proper North Road Race Series (Capenwray)
- 61st Eddie Soens – Rider List
- World Masters Track Championships 2023
- News: Contiki support women’s cycling initiative
- EVENTS: Portsmouth’s Mountbatten Centre
- News: Ribble Launch Collective to Ride As One
- Startlist: 39th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- News: 3 weeks to Women’s & Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- News: New Moda Bikes for Cycling Sheffield
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (February)
- News: Alice Towers Debuts for Canyon/SRAM
- Startlist: VC St Raphael Classic TT
- News: Trinity Announces 2023 Team
- News: Cycling Brands LTD to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
- Q&A with young organiser James Hawkins
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds