In the main move and then fighting all the way to the line, Raleigh-GAC rider Sam Lowe finished second in the very competitive Under 23 category at the Road Champs
Talking Road Champs with Sam Lowe (2nd Under 23)
A new signing for Raleigh GAC for 2015, Sam Lowe is a former GB Academy rider who went to France to try and get that big break in the pro scene but didn’t get the opportunity he was searching for.
He returned to Britain to sign for the Raleigh-GAC team and all season has been up there in the major races but the British Road Race Championships saw him get a huge result. Sam finished second in a race packed with the country’s top under 23 riders, over 90 I read on social media.
After the podium presentation, Sam explained “I have been waiting for a result like this for so long and I’m over moon to finally get a result for Raleigh-GAC and repay the faith they have in meâ€.
On a course like the one at Lincoln, there was always going to be a lot of pressure early on to whittle down the numbers before they hit the city centre circuit. And so it was with Luke Rowe gathering the Sky team together, and the other WorldTour pros, and in the crosswinds after a mere 3k, the pace rocketed.
“The move went early on when I was at the front as Sky got on the front and gave it some gas. I thought I had to commit to riding and when I finally looked back, the group had gone. It was then time to make the most of it.â€
Sam and Scott Davies (in red), also an under 23 from the GB Academy who was 10th in the Junior Worlds, grimace as the pace at the front is forced by Steve Lampier (Raleigh GAC)
It was says Sam, a surreal experience being in a selection with the likes of Mark Cavendish, Peter Kennaugh and the other World Tour riders who he usually only ever saw on television. Making that group was a massive confidence boost to the young rider.
After the gap was made, the pace in the group settled down until the climb of Michaelgate where Kennaugh each lap, led the way full gas with the rest doing their best to stay in touch. Most could not and that front group split into pieces with Sam in a dozen strong group.
“Michaelgate was tough†he explained. “The last six times (they had to ride it nine times) I reckon I was on my limit. The climb was manic especially that first bit with the crowds, they were some of the biggest crowds I have raced in front of and at the end when I made my move, the support I got was amazingâ€.
“The group I was in was good, everyone riding steady and rolling through until the second last time up the climb when a few attacks went. After that, there were a lot more so it was about trying to cover them.â€
Asked was he aware what the situation was with the Under 23 race within a race, Sam replied “I knew (Owain) Doull was up the road and in my group were Scott Davies (TT Champion) and Matt Gibson. Then Scott got dropped late on so I knew I only had Matt to beat for the Silverâ€.
No ordinary group with Sam as world tour rider Andy Fenn follows him on Michaelgate
“So I kept my eye on Matt and made my effort count when I went for it on the section before the barriers (MIchaelgate) just because that’s where it really hurts.â€
Before the race, the mechanic at Raleigh GAC went to the riders and asked what tyre pressures they wanted. Sam explained his choice, “I asked Milan to go softer on the tyres just because I am lighter than the other lads and in the wet conditions it was a bit sketchy early on, especially on the cobbles and that helped with tractionâ€.
Sam had standard gearing on the Raleigh Militis, 39×25 to deal with the 1 in 6 slopes of Michaelgate which were eating into the legs lap after lap. “That was bang on for the climb†he says.
So, after a steady start to the year when things didn’t go as well as he’d like, Sam is starting to find his feet in the pro scene here. The next big goal are the British UCI races like Ride London and Tour of Britain. The latter would be massive to ride says Sam especially as the race on stage six travels from Stoke on Trent to Nottingham, a city synonymous with his sponsor Raleigh.
Next stop for Sam is the Otley town centre crit on Wednesday night.
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Youth Result: Milton Keynes Youth Development Races
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU Sporting 21
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 10m TT
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 10m TT
- TT Result: Knockhill Mountain Time Trial
- Youth Result: Lawford Youth Series
- TT Result: Bristol South CC Hardriders
- TT Result: Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club TT
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- TT Result: Orwell Velo 15m TT
- TT Result: Hull Thursday RC Hard Riders 2Up
- TT Result: VC Sevale 10m TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly 22m TT
- Youth Result: SCC Youth Races
- Youth Result: ERC Ben Forsyth CRY Youth Race Day
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Track Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Crit Result: Not the Portsmouth Easter Circuits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT – Darley Moor #3
- Crit Results: Spring MK Bowl Series #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Salt Ayre Spring Series #3
- RR Result: NCRA Handicap RR #3
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- RR Result: Primavera Pursuit Road Race
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- TT Result: VTTA Kent 8 mile TT
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team TT
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC 21m TT
- TT Result: Velo Club St Raphael 16.5 TT
- TT Result: Port Talbot Whs 13m TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Whs Sporting 21.7m TT
- TT Result: Velotik RT 15m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs Hilly 20.2m TT
- TT Result: Hemel Hempstead CC 16m TT
Other News on VeloUK
- 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)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- Saturday: Fusion Media Women’s Series Rd 1
- Saint Piran’s Global Women’s Project
- Ribble Rebellion: The Riders
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion Team Launch
- British Classics – 64th Wally Gimber Trophy
- Startlist: 62nd Eddie Soens
- Startlist: 10th Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 40th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- Riders: Azets Spring Classic (March 24)
- Bike News: DJ Spoony’s Special & unique Ribble Ultra SL R
- GB Team News: Helen Scott now Men’s Sprint Podium Potential Coach
- Startlist: Royal Navy Cup 2024
- News: Halesowen Academy 2024
- Report: Day 3 British Track Championships
- New Women’s Series in the Midlands
- News: RideLondon Classique