Team News: Saint Piran in France

Team report on Saint Piran Cornwall’s elite cycling team competing in the international cycle race, The Plage du Vendee, from 16-24th Feb with 825 km of racing in six events

Team News: Saint Piran in France

Saint Piran Cornwall’s elite cycling team competed in the international cycle race The Plage du Vendee from 16-24th Feb with 825 km of racing in six events. Glorious sunshine in the Vendee saw 25 teams with 145 riders compete in the French season opener.

Cornish riders Jake Alderman and Will Harper from Falmouth, new signing ex junior Rider Alfie Peters from Bissoe and team captain Steve Lampier from Helston joined Ollie Maxwell, Cameron Jeffers and Joe Evans to make the up the squad which would compete against the team’s inaugural French elite race.

The race was fast, furious, technical and a huge step up for the new signings.The purpose was for the team to build some form ahead a tough spring campaign ahead of them in the UK. Many of the French teams on the other hand were hitting form now and with six former top continental professional teams and fifteen classified above Saint Piran, it was going to be a tough week especially after travelling over night the day before the start.
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What characterises Cornish sporting spirit is determination and the ability to lift ones game for the big occasion. Saint Piran are in the middle of their winter training but once the smell of race oil, loud music, packed crowds and sunshine was on the menu the team became very competitive. Each race, a minimum of 85 miles, had the French teams wanting to impress. Step up Saint Piran in the all black kit with the proud Saint Piran marque, day two and a 4th place for Ollie Maxwell and three riders in the top thirty set the tone.

Team leader Steve Lampier dictating the race on the road and leading by example backed by Director Sportive Richard Pascoe and soigneur Jenny Bolsom adding a professional approach to proceedings. Team cohesion held on the Tuesday and Thursday’s stages despite illness in the team as fast racing took it out of the young riders. Using their experience, several riders were rested mid week.
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This was a tactical move heading into the last week end when the team was ranked 11th out of 25 – an amazing achievement at that point. What was need was total commitment and an attacking style for the remaining races.

The final stage saw Will Harper, Ollie Maxwell and Steve Lampier in all the moves and getting riders into the top echelons. The end result was an 8th overall team ranking as one of the best team results outside of the wins the team took last year in The Tour of Ulster and Totnes Vire. What was most pleasing, was the team conduct, a professionalism and desire to learn quoted Lampier.

Without the help of the general public, local companies and individuals, we could not give the opportunity to the Saint Piran team so thank you from Cornwall’s Elite. Follow the progress on https://saintpiranprocycling.com/riders