News – Mora 2nd for Raleigh GAC in Normandie

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Pay day for the Raleigh GAC team with two riders in breaks and second for Seb Mora on the final stage in the Tour of Normandie

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News – Mora 2nd for Raleigh GAC in Normandie

After a week of racing on the grippy roads of Normandie in France, World Champion on the track for Raleigh GAC, Seb Mora, finished his race off with a second place on stage 6.

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PHOTO: http://www.tourdenormandiecycliste.fr/

The final day was a tough one for the riders with 25 ‘DNFs’ showing how tough the day was but the Spanish rider Mora was equal to the challenge supported by a young Raleigh GAC squad and not only did Mora make the final split, but also had his best result of the week with second.

That podium for Mora was the icing on the cake for the Raleigh GAC team who had two of their French riders in breaks during the stage, Morgan Kniesky and then Mattieu Boulo. The racing from them during the race was an example of how fit the squad is in their first outing together.

Team owner Cherie Pridham said that whilst Mora was disappointed not to have won after being so close to that victory on the final stage, he was very happy with how the team supported him and is looking forward to the next stage of his season in Britain.

The Tour of Normandie in 2016, says Cherie, was a strange one compared to other years and much more controlled than expected. “It was our first race together and we did get better at working as a unit every day. For today, I told both Morgan and Matthieu that they had nothing to lose by being aggressive and both got themselves into breaks.”

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PHOTO: http://www.tourdenormandiecycliste.fr/

“Morgan got into the first break but because there was a rider dangerous on GC in it, the chase fetched it back sharpish and then Boulo went up the road but got brought back, so he went again and that stuck for a long time in a group of five riders.”

“It was either cross wind or tailwind today and that saw the race explode into echelons but what a ride by Seb today. Matthieu looked after him a bit in the front when the break was caught and then as the front group split, Seb continued to hold his place in it all the way to the finish where he was second.”

“The last two days have been what Normandie is all about – chaos and whilst Seb was frustrated at being second, the winner won his third stage of the race today so is very quick indeed. I am also delighted to get all six riders across the line at the finish and very proud of 18 year old Jack Escritt to finish such a hard race.

With Normandy done, the next focus is the British National Elite men’s series on the road starting with the Isle of Man followed by Tour of Reservoir and then the UCI race, the CiCLE Classic, all events counting towards to the selection criteria for the Tour of Britain.

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PHOTO: http://www.tourdenormandiecycliste.fr/

Another rider who has pleased his boss is new signing Craig Wallace who’s top ten in the Chorley Grand Prix was no surprise to Cherie. “We saw how well he could climb on the training camp and is one of the most talented we’ve seen. He went in there not knowing his rivals or what the level is like and he’s come out well.”

Morgan and Sebastian are now having a break after a full on winter racing the track for their countries, culminating in them winning a title (Mora) and Silver (Kniesky) and Bronze (Mora and Torres) medals at the World Championships in London.

Kniesky and Mora will both be back for the Tour of Reservoir two day in April. Of the other stars in the team and when the British fans can expect to see them, Matthieu Boulo makes his return to racing here at the Isle of Man Elite Men’s Road Race whilst new signing, Albert Torres, who’s reportedly as fast or faster than Seb Mora, his first race will be the Totnes Two Day in the South West.

Next Race: Totnes Two Day – Craig Wallace, Albert Torres, Fraser Martin, Adria Moreno, George Pym and Steven Roach

RESULTS

1. Timothy DuPont, Verandas

2. Seb Mora, Raleigh GAC

50. Matthieu Boulo, Raleigh GAC
62, Jack Escritt, Raleigh GAC
74. Richard Hepworth, Raleigh GAC
80. Morgan Kniesky, Raleigh GAC
88. George Pym, Raleigh GAC

 

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