RAPHA DUO TO RIDE WESSEX SPORTIVE

Two Rapha-Condor-Recycling riders, Ben Greenwood and Matt Rowe, are to ride the three-day Tour of Wessex cyclo-sportive next weekend.

Team manager John Herety confirmed the pair would ride the event, partly to give three days of tough structured riding but also to show a commitment to the event after the cancellation of the proposed Premier Calendar stage race.

A lack of police co-operation meant the race, which was supposed to take place around 10 minutes before the cyclo-sportive event each day, had to be postponed.

There are plans to hold the race in 2009, but in the meantime Rapha will be showing support to the event.

Ben Greenwood is finally on the comeback trail after a persistent knee injury. Ideally he?d be back in race action but Herety has decided not to risk him at the eight-day FBD Insurance Ras in Ireland, which starts on Sunday.

?The physio is keen for him to get back into action but we?re being a little cautious with him,? said Herety. ?Three solid days of riding will test him without the risk of putting him in an eight-day race.

?We?d also like to support Nick Bourne [Tour of Wessex organiser]. His plans were at an advanced stage when the race had to be called off. In the early part of the year he invited us down to ride the stages and we?d like to repay that by supporting his sportive event. All being well, we?ll be down there in a year?s time for the race.?

Matt Rowe will also ride the Wessex sportive which runs from Saturday, May 24 to Monday, May 26.

Meanwhile, Rapha send a very strong team to the Ras. Twice winner Chris Newton and 2006 champion Kristian House ride with Dean Downing, Rob Partridge and Dale Appleby.

RELATED LINKS

CW's 2008 British Cyclo-Sportive Calendar

CW's Dummies' Guide to Cyclo-Sportives