Report – Sheffield Grand Prix

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Kristian House wins the race but it’s Dean Downing’s night in Sheffield as he bids farewell to the peloton

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Report – Sheffield Grand Prix

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Last night in Sheffield saw yet another big bike race in the city following on from the Tour de France where the crowds again turned out to watch Kristian House race out of the darkness to win and Dean Downing race his last race.

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Dean Downing comes round for the final race to chants of ‘Deano, Deano’ ….

LIVE PHOTOS 

REPORT

The night began with a  3/4 race won by  Dieter Droger  after he attacked his final breakaway companion, 14 year old Tom Pidcock on the final lap to win ahead of Tom with Lauren O’Brien of  RST Racing the first female.

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First podium of the race for the 3/4 event won by  Dieter Droger.

The Elite race then started at around 8.30 after a presentation to Dean Downing before the riders lined up and Dean rode a lap at the head of the race to loud cheers of ‘Deano’. He was home for sure with wife and family and there as well and when the race kicked off, he was right in the mix as the attacks came thick and fast.

The race was halted though after Tristan Robbins, newly crowned Junior RR Champion, fell off after his chain jumped sending him down onto the cobbles. He was fine, a few grazes and more embarrassed about it than anything, but the two ambulances on the circuit meant the race was black flagged. At least that is what I assume was the problem. It was an age before it as restarted as the light faded fast and soon a break formed after a lot of attacking.

Matt Cronshaw, Kristian House, Adam Blythe (a Sheffield rider), Mike Northey and Tobyn Horton got a few seconds and opened up a big gap before Raleigh got on the front and brought that gap back down but not enough and the break was still clear as they reached the final half dozen laps.

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Dean Downing lines up with brother Russell just behind and fellow South Yorkshire rider, Adam Blythe in his British champions stripes.

The chase group now was only a quarter of what started the race, maybe less and no matter how agile they were in the chase, the break was not going to be caught.  The closing laps saw attacks from Adam Blythe and Matt Cronshaw but it was going to be a sprint for the win and the favourite had to be home boy Blythe (NFT)) but no, strongman Kristian House came out of the glare of the motorbike’s headlight and the pitch black darkness to clinch the win.

Blythe was second and Horton third but it was ‘Deano’ the crowd were waiting for and in eighth place, unusually further down than normal, Deano came in to cheers and chanting to go and hug his wife and daughter, who he took onto the podium for the final podium presentation of his racing career. Farewell Deano!

Kristian House said afterwards, “At first it didn’t look like such a good situation for us. All of the guys I was with are faster finishers than me on paper. I was covering the move and the idea was that we were all riding for Briggsy and Chris (Opie).”

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Kristian House holds on to win the Sheffield GP… can we start earlier next time please Mr Organiser! #Nocturne

“For a while I thought it would come back, but when I realized it wasn’t I had to play it pretty smart to make sure I had enough to beat those guys. I jumped across to Northey when he attacked on the last lap and then I just had to keep it going for the line. I held on but I’m not quite sure how!”

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Straight after finishing, Dean Downing made a beeline for his family and gets a hug from ‘the wife’ before heading to his final podium

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Series leader Alex Blain leads a chase by Raleigh who were very active early in off the front but then as luck would have it, missed the final move.

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Dean Downing in the hurt locker in his final race in the chase group.

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Tobyn Horton, in the middle of a training block, was pleased to make the final move.

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Great to see a Yorkshire rider in the form of Scott Thwaites of Netapp-Endura racing in Sheffield something his team denied him in the Tour de France

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It was light when the race started … race passes the town hall at the top of the climb.

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An early move by Russell Downing in front of the big crowd.

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Race is blacked flagged. Not sure why although it could have been the two ambulances on the circuit whilst the rider who crashed was walking round the pits fine except for a bruised pride.

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Break comes under the finish gantry with Kristian House leading from Sheffield boy Adam Blythe.

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Bloody TV motorbikes that not only ruin the race for photographers but are also said to influence the race by a well known manager in the pits! Mike Northey leads the leaders through with the chasers not even in the same straight. 

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Raleigh applying the pressure big time over the losing laps

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Tobyn Horton, Kristian House and Adam Blythe showing off them stripes at his home race.

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Time to move back fellas … spray the bubbly!

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Dean Downing and daughter on the podium post race.

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Tom Pidock for a 14 year old looks like a star of the future.

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 Lauren O’Brien of  RST Racing  was first girl in the 3/4 race.

RESULT
1. Kristian House, Rapha Condor JLT
2. Adam Blythe, NFTO
3. Tobyn Horton, Madison Genesis
4. Matt Cronshaw, Velosure Giordana
5. Mike Northey, Madison Genesis
6. Alex Blain, Raleigh
7. Chris Opie, Rapha Condor JLT
8. Dean Downing, NFTO
9. Scott Thwaites, Netapp Endura
10. George Atkins, Raleigh
11. Will Bjergfelt, Metaltek Kuota
12. Rob Partridge, Velosure Giordana
13. Tom Stewart, Madison Genesis
14. Jacon Scott, Haribo Beacon
15. Peter Hawkins, Madison Genesis
16. Will Fox, Starley Primal
17. Liam Stones, Raleigh
18. Jake Womersley, Haribo Beacon
19. Ian Bibby, Madison Genesis
20. Russell Downing, NFTO
21. Mattheiu Boulo, Raleigh
22. William Brown, Achieve
23. Morgan Kneisky, Raleigh

Prime 1
1 Alex Blain Team Raleigh
2 Chris Opie Rapha Condor JLT
3 Scott Thwaites Team Netapp – Endura
4 Thomas Stewart Madison Genesis
Prime 2
1 Matt Cronshaw Velosure – Giordana RT
2 Tobyn Horton Madison Genesis
3 Mike Northey Madison Genesis
4 Adam Blythe NFTO

3/4 Result (thanks John & Sue)
1 Dieter Droger Pioneer Scott Syncros
2 Thomas Pidcock Chevin Cycles.com Trek
3 Harry Hardcastle Kirklees Cycling Academy
4 Darren Otter Rutland CC
5 Kieran Simcox Dinnington Racing Club
6 Jake Beach Velocity WD-40
7 Thomas Humphrey Kirklees Cycling Academy
8
9 Gary Hides Out Of The Saddle
10 Xavier Scott Bolsover & District Cycling Clu
11 Jonathan Harvey Dinnington Racing Club
12 Tony Grassby Peak Road Club
13 Matthew Hoyle Wheelbase Altura MGD
14 John Wright Wakefield CC
15 Daniel Clist Norton Wheelers
16 Antony Moss Private Member
17 David Warriner York Cycleworks
18 Brenden Atkinson Thurcroft CC
19 Christopher Bevan University of Sheffield CC
20
21 Jonathan Holmes www.zepnat.com RT/GSG Clothing
22
23 Jonathan Unwin Sheffrec CC
24
25
26 Chris Batty Dinnington Racing Club
27 Robert Fox VC Lincoln
28 Mark Cuckson Sheffrec CC
29
30 Lauren OBrien RST Racing Team
31 Ian OBrien RST Racing Team
32 Marcus Nainby Team WNT
33 Marc Hughes Private Member
34 James Mappin Sheffrec CC
35 Daniel Nortcliffe Tickhill Velo
36 Bradley Hatfield Out Of The Saddle
37 Luke Allen Sheffrec CC
38 Pete Crawforth Private Member
39 Lauren OBrien RST Racing Team
40 Sam Burman Team WNT

 

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