Awesome Ride by McLaughlin
James McLaughlin smashed the junior record and missed the overall record in today's 10mTT by a single second despite hold ups. Bear in mind this ride was done on restricted gears. This was James' first opportunity to ride his new TT bike in anger and to show what he could do when on equal machinery to others. Today's ride follows on from a superb victory in yesterday's Liberation Day road race and, with only two weeks remaining to the National 10mTT Championships, the youngster is in fine form.
Liberation Day Road Race - A Mature Winning Ride for McLaughlin
As Guernsey people celebrate their freedom, James McLaughlin celebrated a superb victory in the 5 3/4 lap race held on the L'Eree circuit. In doing so, James broke the under 18 record.
James kept to a masterplan, which we had agreed before the race, this worked perfectly. On the final climb James attacked at the bottom leaving the other riders in the lead bunch unable to respond. James kept the power on to the end of the 8 mile lap to finish 30 secs clear of the peleton. This really was a quality ride taking into account the strength of the riders contained in that chasing pack. Let's not forget either that James is still a junior rider.
Meanwhile Ann Bowditch placed as first lady and 10th place overall with Jon Osborn just a few places back after spending much of the race with the leaders.
Guernsey 25mTT Championships
Ann Bowditch won the women's event in the 25mTT Championships with a time of 62:47.
Criterium
Day 3 saw the riders compete on a wet and slippery circuit over a one hour criterium race. James crashed on lap one but was not deterred and fought his way back to the peleton. The youngster found the conditions tricky, “like riding on ice” but preserved to finish in the main peleton in 14th place. James' final overall classification of 9th place shows the potential that this young rider has.
100km Road Race
James McLaughlin took a great 11th place after confessing that he had nothing left in the tank with a lap to go; yet the youngster showed fantastic perseverance to lose less than a minute on the leaders in that final lap and to outsprint the rider he had worked with over the final 6 miles. McLaughlin said "that is the hardest race I've ever done" - that is what I wanted to hear.
The whole idea of sending James to compete in this event was to move him up another level and to gain experience from racing in larger peletons and of longer races than we have locally. This is the same tactic I used with Tobyn Horton when I sent him to Belgium to race (Horton later went on to win Gold in the 2007 Island Games - a first for a Guernsey male rider).
I am working with James on making him a complete rider, this incorporates far more than just a training schedule. Well done James, you have done us proud.
McLaughlin 6th in Prologue
James McLaughlin produced a fantastic ride in the prologue event in the Isle of Man in his first International Stage Race to finish in 6th place. The race was won by Eric Rowsell in 1:44:71, five riders produced times in the 1:46 bracket which included the Sarnian.
Criterium
Nick Mann produced a superb ride to beat all senior riders in the GVC criterium held at Delancey. The race, which was held over 30 mins plus 5 laps, started in rain but the clouds cleared which allowed the surface to dry. Mann always looked comfortable and rode a text book race. Guernsey's top riders were there for the occasion but none had an answer to Mann's perfectly timed attack on the final lap.
McLaughlin on the Podium Again
On a course which resembled more a criterium than a road racing circuit, James McLaughlin produced another podium ride to finish in 2nd place. Conditions were far from perfect, with heavy rain, thunder and lightening. James started with the scratch group, 14 minutes back from the first group that had already completed 2 laps before James' group started.
Word on the street is that James made all the running, putting in attacks and was strong on the climb. We have taken an approach that James should work hard in these races rather than do as so many others do which is to sit in and wait for the sprint. James also uses these races to try out different race tactics. James will be riding in the Isle of Man Junior Tour next weekend so I wish him a great weekend of racing and expect that he will come back having learned plenty from the experience.
Meanwhile, Ann Bowditch was first woman, catching the other women in the race who had started 12 mins ahead and taking the women's record in the process. Nick Mann, more used to MTB than road, produced a solid ride to finish in the second group and as first Veteran.
Another win for Mann in MTB XC at Chouet
The Veteran category of this weekend's cross country race was won by Nick Mann,who finished ahead of many of the Advanced and Elite riders proving that he is still one of the best mountain bike riders on the island.
Victory at Corbiere for Mayman
Dave Mayman produced a fantastic ride to win the Veteran category of the Jersey road race at Corbiere this weekend and took 3rd overall. The course profile resembled an interval session, something Dave is familar with so was perhaps better prepared than some for the harsh course.
Double Hill Climb Victory
James McLaughlin put in an impressive performance to win tonight's L'Eree Hill Climb against a force 8 headwind, in a time of 4:55, showing off his hill climbing prowess. McLaughlin looked impressive as he powered his way to the top of the hill. Meanwhile Ann Bowditch took the women's victory quite comfortably.
Mayman is Jersey's JCA Veteran 10m TT Champion
Dave Mayman rode a stormer to win the Veteran title in today's JCA 10m TT on another blustery day in Jersey. Dave's time of 23:55 was good enough to place him in the mix with the top senior riders, just over a minute behind overall winner, Chris Spence. Dave has made a great comeback following his crash towards the end of last season when he broke his hip and collarbone.
Marathon Man Stapley
Congratulations to Richard Stapley for completing the Paris Marathon in an impressive 2:59:22, meeting his target of 3 hrs. Richard's half marathon time of 1:28:45 indicates that he paced it spot on.
3 Laps Vazon Road Race
From a furious start, the pace didn't let up in Sunday's road race, despite incredibly cold conditions which forced many riders to pull out. James McLaughlin was not deterred and fnished in a fanastic 2nd place. Jon Osborn continued to show improving form and road racing ability to finish in a superb 8th place.
Wins for Burtenshaw & Mann
Jamie Burtenshaw took the win in the advanced category of today's MTB XC race at the Vassalerie. A great result for our newest rider.
There was another comfortable win for Nick Mann in the MTB XC Veteran category on what was a technically difficult course, added to by extremely muddy conditions. Nick's MTB skills ensured he was one of the few that was able to ride the whole course.
Jersey Veterans produce the goods
AB Coaching riders had great results in Jersey this weekend. Dave Mayman is going from strength to strength with each race, as indicated by his 4th place and 2nd veteran. Dennis Rainbow produced a great ride to finish in 10th place overall and as 6th place in the highly competitive veteran category and in doing so took 2 mins 32 secs off his PB.
Off the Mark
I decided to bite the bullet this weekend, now back to training following a nasty dose of tonsillitis. Having only completed 2 weeks of more intense training I was rather apprehensive but was pleased with my 7th place overall in a very windy 5mTT on Saturday.
GIAAC Easter Running Weekend
Half Marathon
Richard Stapley ran a terrific personal best in the Half Marathon with a new personal best time of 1:22:20, over 3 minutes quicker than his previous best.
10km
Richard Stapley produced a fantastic performance in the GIAAC 10km run to post a time of 38:35, taking 30 secs off his personal best. Taking into consideration the conditions this was a very impressive run.
Guernsey Easter 4 Day
Race 3: 4 Laps L'Eree Road Race
James McLaughlin placed 4th and best junior. Keen to make his mark on the race, James attacked the field on a number of occasions and spent much of the race out in front on his own.
Race 2: 2 Laps Reservoir Time Trial
James McLaughlin produced a great ride to finish in 7th place in the sporting time trial. Competing on his road bike without the benefit of tri bars, the 17 year old finished within seconds of members of the Guernsey Island Games Team.
Race 1: Reservoir Road Race
James McLaughlin won the Reservoir handicap road race after starting with the back group and giving first group a 9 minute handicap.
Most impressive was his victory over the 2007 Island Games Criterium Gold Medallist, Tobyn Horton. Conditions were tough with northwesterly winds up to force 9. However, this did not deter the 17 year old from attacking a mile from the end of the race and riding to victory. In doing so, McLaughlin broke the junior road race record. A great start to the weekend.
Jersey Easter 5 Day
Overall & Race 5: Road Race
Dennis Rainbow put in a superb performance to finish as second veteran and 7th overall in today's road race. Meanwhile, Dave Mayman finished as 6th veteran following after bridging a gap to what looked like the deciding break which unfortunately got pulled back. At the end of all that both Dave and Den tied on 3rd place in their category for the weekend.
Race 4: Criterium
Dennis Rainbow produced a great finish as 4th placed veteran in the criterium race. This puts Dennis in a good position to attain his goal as 4th placed veteran overall for the weekend, in what is a hugely competitive veteran category.
Race 3: 15km TT
Following cancellation of Race 2, Dave Mayman battled against high winds to place 3rd veteran and 7th overall in today's TT. Meanwhile, Dennis Rainbow put in another impressive performance to finish as 6th veteran. Both are well placed overall with Dave 6th and Dennis 11th out of 60 competitors.
Race 1: Hill Climb
Mayman wins Veteran Category & Rainbow 6th
Dave Mayman produced a great win in the Jubilee Hill Climb to finish as first Veteran in a large field of 23 Veterans. Meanwhile, Dennis Rainbow produced an impressive 6th place in the same category with a 19 second improvement from his previous best
Race 2: Cancelled due to high winds.
Mann Wins in Herm XC
Recently turned veteran and 2007 Island Games rider, Nick Mann, lead the race from start to finish and was never troubled. Anyone that knows Mann's achievements in the sport will be aware that he can compete with the Island's best mountain bikers.
Osborn Third in Herm XC
Jon Osborn produced a great ride to finish third in the senior category of the Herm XC race. Jon is also showing great improvement in road racing
Mann Wins in Herm XC
Recently turned veteran and 2007 Island Games rider, Nick Mann, lead the race from start to finish and was never troubled. Anyone that knows Mann's achievements in the sport will be aware that he can compete with the Island's best mountain bikers.
Osborn Third in Herm XC
Jon Osborn produced a great ride to finish third in the senior category of the Herm XC race. Jon is also showing great improvement in road racing.
Mann Wins in Herm XC
Recently turned veteran and 2007 Island Games rider, Nick Mann, lead the race from start to finish and was never troubled. Anyone that knows Mann's achievements in the sport will be aware that he can compete with the Island's best mountain bikers.
Osborn Third in Herm XC
Jon Osborn produced a great ride to finish third in the senior category of the Herm XC race. Jon is also showing great improvement in road racing.
Mann Wins in Herm XC
Recently turned veteran and 2007 Island Games rider, Nick Mann, lead the race from start to finish and was never troubled. Anyone that knows Mann's achievements in the sport will be aware that he can compete with the Island's best mountain bikers.
Osborn Third in Herm XC
Jon Osborn produced a great ride to finish third in the senior category of the Herm XC race. Jon is also showing great improvement in road racing.
