National championships: the big boys win
Only one team was ever going to triumph at the British national road race championships: Sky.
Words by Kenny Pryde
Monday January 25, 2012
I had a chat with Team Sky rider Jeremy Hunt the evening before the British National road race championships around the North York moors, and asked him, only half-seriously, if Sky were going to attack right from the start of the race.
There was a pause, as though the two-time British road champion was trying to get his head around the idiocy of the question.
“Well yeah, we could. Why not? I mean, who is going to stop us? What are they going to do? Endura doesn’t have the strength it did and if we did attack from the start, I don’t think anyone could stop us. I know there’s a target on our backs and everyone expects us to win, but I haven’t considered any other option. We have to win,” noted Hunt without a hint of arrogance or presumption. The five-rider Sky team had arrived at the British Elite road race championships to get the job done.
And Sky did it with crushing efficiency after, yes, going more or less from the flag.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Ian Stannard won the race in a solo break with 13 miles remaining while his breakaway companions could only watch him go. Third-placed Russell Hampton (Raleigh GAC) could only watch him because he was on the limit, while Alex Dowsett could only watch because it was his team-mate who had attacked. All five Team Sky riders finished in the top seven and Stannard was ‘fresh’ from finishing the Giro d’Italia, generally good preparation for the National championships. Certainly better than a few national level Premier Calendars and one-hour televised town-centre crits.
Stannard had been the strongest rider throughout the race, spending so much time at the front of the break that it looked like he was working for Dowsett. “They could have added another two finishing laps to the course and all that would have happened was that Stannard would have been even further ahead at the finish,” noted ex-pro (and now British Cycling cycle sport director) Jonny Clay, “they are much stronger than anyone else at the moment, a real step above.”
But it was ever thus. A dominant national team with a budget and a decent race programme always rules the roost. Once upon a time in the UK it was the Banana-Falcon team or a visiting Continental-based pro (John Herety, Tim Harris, Malcolm Elliott, Brian Smith, Sean Yates, Robert Millar). For the time being, it’s the Sky boys.
But domestic-based riders shouldn’t feel bad. Sky pulled off the same stunt in the Norwegian road championships with Edvald Boasson-Hagen and Lars-Petter Nordhaug coming home in a one-two, clear of the chasers. But it’s not just Sky – the strongest domestic teams invariably produce the goods at the Nationals.
FDJ-Big Mat managed a one-two (Nacer Bouhanni and Arnaud Demare) in the wet bunch sprint that decided the outcome of the 2012 French championships, Omega Pharma were on the ball in Belgium to help Tom Boonen win again this year, Movistar had five in the top 10 in Spain, headed by new 2012 champion Francisco Ventoso, while RadioShack-Nissan were even more dominant in Luxembourg. Laurent Didier – son of ex-Renault Gitane pro Lucien, genomics fans - soloed in to win from a break of three which included his team mate Frank Schleck (inevitably outsprinted for second). And, for good measure, the RadioShack under-23 team took all three medals in that title race. At least Rapha-Condor-Sharp can point to Mike Cuming’s win the UK Under-23 championship. God help us if Sky decides it needs a development squad.
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cyclesportmag
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Edward Pickering is a writer and journalist, editor of Pro Cycling and previous deputy editor of Cycle Sport. As well as contributing to Cycling Weekly, he has also written for the likes of the New York Times. His book, The Race Against Time, saw him shortlisted for Best New Writer at the British Sports Book Awards. A self-confessed 'fair weather cyclist', Pickering also enjoys running.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published