This was another new race for 2017, not as hilly as the previous weeks race at Cleveland, but it would no doubt be another tough day. Jake’s injuries had prevented him from training and could not start today. The race got off to a rapid start, with the high pace being set ahead of the fight for position going into an early narrow technical climb that was expected to prove selective.
A small break escaped the bunch, Joe attempted to make it across in a small chase group containing riders from the big teams, including Russ Downing of JLT, but the group was reeled in as Raleigh chased hard having not placed a rider in the front group.
With 40km to go the early break had been brought back and JLT applied the pressure over the top of the climb in cross wind. This caused a significant split, with a group of 22 riders going clear. Despite a hard chase into the wind the 15 man group Joe and Liam were now in couldn’t make contact. Joe and Liam finished 24th and 26th. Another tough day and some great riding from our guys.
*photo credit velouk