Also: A photo album from Ian McVety --
Above: The podium at the Tour of Pendle: Rob Partridge (Halfords) 3rd place, Russell Downing (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta) winner, Chris Newton (Rapha Condor) 2nd place.
Introduction
Russell Downing (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta) regained his cast iron grip on the Premier Calendar series with a fine solo win in Lancashire on Sunday afternoon. In the final 3km of the 140 km race Downing attacked his breakaway companions Chris Newton (Rapha Condor) and Rob Partridge (Halfords) riding into Nelson Town centre alone to take the applause from the large crowd. Riding the Tour of Ireland, Russell Downing will miss the final round at Richmond, but has sufficient points to keep his lead and win for the second year in a row the British Cycling Premier Calendar Series.
Post Race Reactions:
Winner Russell Downing (CandiTV Marshalls Pasta): "Great race, thanks to Rob Partridge for launching that attack on the final climb, it was perfect for me! Our team had two riders in the early break and we told them to sit on. It wasn't up to us to chase it down and SportsBeans and Endura did a great job of getting the peloton back to a reasonable distance. We then heard that Graham Briggs and Peter Williams were out of the break so we could then chase."
"I was fresh when we caught the break and went with Tom Southam at first, then Chris Newton went and I went with him. You can tell when Newton is up for it because he crouches down low. Myself and Rob Partridge got up to him with a few others who weren't too strong. Newton was concerned about the others not being strong enough to help in a break so I let him go away on a drag, then jumped across to him with Partridge. That was it, we had a good little group and we worked well together, nobody missed a beat."
"In the run in, I was confident about winning the sprint from that three man break, but anything can happen, you can get boxed into the barriers and it's not 100% certain. I wanted to hit them hard on the climb, Rob softened it up nicely for me, I thought cheers when he attacked, Chris had gassed and looked around at me. I think he knew what I was planning. I went straight past them both, I knew on the corner leading to that last descent that I had it. Very pleased it's good to finish my Premier Calendar season with a win."
2nd place Chris Newton (Rapha Condor) "I was a bit miffed that I missed the first move but we had Kristian House and a few others in it representing Rapha. SportBeans started chasing it down and when the Pinarello's lost their guys out of the break they took up the chase. I knew Russell would be the one on this circuit as it's perfect for him. When the break got caught, I went with a few guys including Roy Chamberlain. Russ got across with some others and then it split again."
"It was down to three of us, me, Russ and Rob Partridge. On the final climb of the finish circuit Rob was the first to go on the attack, I went with him and at first I thought we'd gapped Russ, but he was just using that to launch his own attack. I countered but never got anywhere near him and over the last part of the climb my legs folded a bit."
"I eased off and started thinking about making sure I got second. I waited for Rob and recouped. The bunch was so close behind us that we had no chance of any discussion, it was just a matter of racing to the finish and trying to get a good position. I'm happy with 2nd, but 1st would have been better, I've struggled a bit this summer, my programme with the track and road is the whole year round, but I'm on the up and my preparation for the Tour of Britain is coming on nicely, that leads into the winter track season,.I'm happy with my form and how it's developing."
3rd place Rob Partridge (Halfords) "With three Halfords riders in that early move it was perfect for me, I could sit back and keep my powder dry. I could see that Russ Downing and some of the other big names were still in the main group so I knew it was a good place to be. If the break had stayed away that would have been OK because we had three riders in it. When it came back together, I was waiting for it to kick off, and that's exactly what happened."
"Chris Newton and Russ got in a little move, I had to give it 100% to get across by myself. As soon as I got on they went again. It was a difficult time for me and I was swinging a bit. On the final circuit I thought there's no point in taking Russ Downing to the finish, I had to gamble and I didn't think Chris Newton was going to attack him so it was down to me."
"I thought I had Russ on the ropes, but he came straight over the top, it was pretty impressive. On the final circuit I knew I was guaranteed third, I thought what's the point of just sitting in and getting third in the sprint when I can attack and who knows what might happen. But looking back when you are with Downing and Newton you've got to be happy with a place on the podium."
Tour of Pendle: Sport Beans-Wilier Report
Sunshine interspersed with a little cloud and a light breeze greeted the riders for this year's Tour of Pendle. Three big loops with an ascent of the infamous Blacko climb each time awaited them, followed by a short finish circuit round Nelson to give the crowds a taster before the finale. Sport Beans - Wilier fielded a team of 6 for today's race, Marcin, Jon, Will, Richard, Grant and Mark.
Early moves came to nought, the only one of note going on Blacko and gaining 18 seconds, containing 8 riders, most notably Andy Tennant (Halfords-Bikehut), Matt Cronshaw, Ben Greenwood and Rhys Lloyd (Rapha-Condor). This came back though and after what seemed only a brief respite, the main move of the day forged away after an hour's racing as the peloton stretched out on a sidewind drag - this was the one that might stay away: Andy Tennant (again), Mark McNally and Ian Wilkinson (Halfords-Bikehut), National Road Champ Kristian House, Liam Holohan and Dan Craven (Rapha-Condor), Peter Williams and Dale Appleby (CandiTV-MarshallsPasta), Ashley Finn (Herbalife), Steve Lampier (KUK-Kinesis), Kit Gilham (Sigmasport), Mike Cuming (Raleigh Avanti) and John Tanner (Sportscover).
An interesting move for a few reasons: Rapha-Condor and Halfords-Bikehut had three each of their big names in here - the six of them would drive hard to stay away. But what would CandiTV do? Two riders in the break isn't bad but could Williams and Appleby cut it in the finale against them? And no Russ Downing of course, let alone Malcolm Elliott. What we were likely to see was both of them being passengers, an insurance policy for later in the day when Downing would certainly make his move to get to the head of affairs. Good to see the evergreen John Tanner up there too, he and Kevin Dawson of Sportscover ruffling a few feathers over the previous few weeks.
Sure enough, the break rode hard, with Rapha and Halfords doing the damage - up and up the time gap went, hitting 1.16 after just 15 minutes up the road. On they surged, topping out at a time gap of 1.50 after 40 mins, 1.40 into the race. Alarm bells went off in the bunch and Sport Beans - Wilier, having missed the move, set about dealing with the matter. Our Marcin and Jon were looking for a result today so the other four set to work organising the chase. Endura joined us and steadily the gap came down, almost as quickly as it had risen.
After nearly two hours of racing, CandiTV's insurance policy evaporated as Williams and Appleby fell out the back of the break as they tried in vain to deal with the bunch bearing down on them - they too now joined the chase and it was now only a matter of time before the junction was made. The peloton split under the pressure of the chase with all the Sport Beans riders in the right place, chasing at the front of the bunch. Finally the race came back together after 1 hour 50 minutes of racing and an uneasy calm descended. The bunch was much depleted now, all the dead wood gone and just the serious contenders remaining.
Almost inevitably, after around 5 minutes, the truce went bang and Tom Southam (Rapha-Condor) attacked, Russ Downing marking him and in turn, Chris Newton (Rapha-Condor) on his wheel, some leg-testing going on to see what everyone had left. Newton got the gap, Downing jumped on him and Rob Partridge (Halfords-Bikehut), Roy Chamberlain (PhilCorley) and Liam Holohan (Rapha-Condor) latched on. The pace was tough though and Holohan and Chamberlain fell away leaving Downing, Newton and Partridge to put their heads down for home.
With 4km to the finish and Rob Partridge attacked on the climb near Brierfield, not relishing the thought of a sprint against Newton and Downing. Newton held him and in a classic move, Downing jumped them both to gap them decisively by the top - he was gone and they wouldn't see him again. He rode like a demon, putting 40 seconds into them to take a fine solo win, with the pair just holding off the bunch for 2nd and 3rd.
Grant and Richard blew their lights out in the big chase earlier, leaving Marcin to take a solid 8th place in this hotly contested and tactical race. We learnt the hard way that you don't let so many big names get away in an early break - but had it not been for our chasing early on, things might have been different and the break might have gained an unsurpassable advantage. We helped shape the race and we took 8th place - not bad! With just one more Premier remaining, we are looking to go out with a bang at Richmond.
Andrew Kennedy's Photo Report from Pendle
Above: Tour of Pendle organiser, Ivor Armstrong, addresses the troops before battle commences.
Above: In bright and sunny conditions, a far cry from the 2008 edition, the race rolls out of Nelson to begin 140km of a rolling and sometimes hilly circuit. With three climbs of the notorious Blacko to look forward to, the main field stayed together for the first few miles.
Above: Graham Briggs (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta) was the first to attack as the peloton rode through Barrowford on the approach to the village of Blacko.
Above: The climb through the village of Blacko is not steep, it's just very long and the riders had three ascents to look forward to.
Above: The Halfords team spent much of the early part of the race keeping the speed high, Andy Tennant took up the pace on the first climb of Blacko and strung out the field behind him.
Above: Team mate Rob Hayles took over on the long flat sections.
Above: The first significant break of the day came at 26 miles covered through the village of Read, when British Road Race Champion Kristian House (Rapha Condor) attacked together with Graham Briggs (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta) and Andy Tennant (Halfords).
They caused a split at the front of the peloton and within a few seconds they were joined by John Tanner (Sportscover), Steve Lampier (KUK Kinesis), Mike Cuming (Raleigh Avanti), Ashley Finn (Wheelbase), Kit Gilham (Sigmasport), Ian Wilkinson and Mark McNally (Halfords), Peter Williams (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta), Matt Cronshaw, Simon Richardson and Dan Craven (both Rapha Condor). This group got down to some serious work and built a lead of over a minute.
Above: Mark Thwaites (Assos) leads the main peloton up Blacko for the second time.
Above: The Namibian Road Race Champion Dan Craven (Rapha Condor) was a hard working member of the lead group.
The final climb of Blacko and ‘Wilko’ makes his move after his team mates Andy Tennant and Mark McNally had softened up the others by riding hard on the approach to the climb. The effect was that half the lead group were left behind. Wilko exploded out of the lead group on the mid part of the climb opening up a sizeable gap. Kristian House was the first to react followed by Simon Richardson and John Tanner.
Above: Over the top and Wilkinson is reeled back in. With the lead group now down to five riders, Wilko, Craven, House, Tennant and Tanner.
Above: British Road Race Champion Kristian House (Rapha Condor) in the lead group on the final climb of Blacko.
Above: The CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta team had lost Briggs and Williams from the lead group and were now leading the chase to bring the Wilkinson and House group back. They enlisted the help of Mark Thwaites (Assos) and with the whole team on the front and leader Russ Downing tucked in the wheels, the chase was on.
Above: It's all over, on the Clitheroe by-pass with 20 miles to the finish, Briggs and Thwaites sit up as they catch the back of the leaders.
Above: Within 20 seconds of the CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta team catching the leaders Russell Downing launched an attack. Prolific winner Downing timed it perfectly, then eased off to allow Chris Newton and Rob Partridge to bridge across to him.
Above: On the approach to Nelson town centre for the final circuit and Chris Newton (Rapha Condor) buries himself on the front of the lead group.
Above: The final short climb near Brierfield with 4km to the finish, Newton leads Downing and Partridge, the main peloton is about 60 seconds behind and chasing hard.
Above: Huge attack from Welsh Champion Rob Partridge on the climb with Newton and Downing struggling to hold his wheel.
Above: Who said Downing was struggling? The attack by Partridge was a perfect launch pad for the Rotherham rider who immediately countered and rode away from the pair.
Above: Nelson Town centre, 40 seconds in the lead and Russ Downing takes the win and the Premier Calendar series with a fine display of bike racing.
Above: Disappointment for Newton and Partridge as they cross the line in 2nd and 3rd places.
Above: Local boy Ian Wilkinson (Halfords) wins the bunch sprint from Malcolm Elliott (CandiTV-Marshalls Pasta)
Above: Russ Downing enjoys the moment as he sprays the crowd with a celebratory bottle of champagne. 
Above: Sunshine and great racing ensured the crowds lining the route at Blacko had an enjoyable day.
RESULT
1 Russell Downing Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. 3hr 20 49s
2 Chris Newton Rapha Condor @40s
3 Rob Partridge Halfords Bike Hut st
4 Ian Wilkinson Halfords Bike Hut @51
5 Malcolm Elliott Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. st
6 Mark McNally Halfords Bike Hut st
7 Matt Kipling KUK Kinesis st
8 Marcin Bialoblocki Sport Beans / Wilier st
9 James Moss KUK Kinesis st
10 John Tanner Team Sportscover st
11 Matthew Cronshaw Rapha Condor st
12 Tom Barras Private Member st
13 Steven Lampier KUK Kinesis st
14 David Clarke Pendragon Kalas st
15 Russell Hampton Team Magnus Maximus Coffee st
16 Alex Coutts Heraklion Nessebar Kastro st
17 Andrew Roche Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. st
18 Wouter Sybrandy Sigmasport/Specialized/Sportful st
19 Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing st
20 Raphael Deinhart Cyclingbargains.com st
21 Andy Tennant Halfords Bike Hut st
22 Dale Appleby Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. st
23 Roy Chamberlain Team Corley Cycles st
24 Richard Cartland Team Corley Cycles st
25 Yanto Barker LeCol - Colnago st
26 Gareth Hewitt Sabbath Clayton st
27 Callum Wilkinson Endura Racing st
28 Evan Oliphant Endura Racing st
29 Gareth Montgomerie Sigmasport/Specialized/Sportful st
30 Jonathan Ternan-Locke Sport Beans / Wilier st
31 Richard Handley KUK Kinesis st
32 Daniel Drake Lancashire R.C. @58
33 Ben Stockdale Qoroz - Novatec @59s
34 Tom Southam Rapha Condor @1.02
35 Jack Pullar KUK Kinesis @1.14
36 James Sampson Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. @1.16
37 Andrew Hastings Finchley R.T. @1.19
38 Graham Briggs Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. @1.20
39 Mark Lovatt Planet X R.T. st
40 Joe Skipper BMC UK R.T. st
41 Liam Holohan Rapha Condor st
42 Mark Thwaites Team Assos st
43 Kevin Dawson Team Sportscover @1.24
44 Daniel Kogan BMC UK R.T. @1.27
45 Christopher McNamara Team Corley Cycles st
46 Kieran Frend Sabbath Clayton st
47 Will Bjergfelt Sport Beans / Wilier @1.29
48 Mike Cuming Raleigh Avanti @1.30
49 Peter Williams Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. @1.33
50 James Dobbin Arctic Premier R.T @1.34
51 James Williamson Sigmasport/Specialized/Sportful @1.39
52 Simon Richardson Rapha Condor st
53 Kristian House Rapha Condor st
54 Tom Last Sigmasport/Specialized/Sportful st
55 Ashley Cox Beds Road C.C. @1.48
56 Matt Ullmer Qoroz - Novatec @1.51
57 Daniel Craven Rapha Condor @2.02
58 Ashley Finn Herbalife / Wheelbase @2.34
59 Mark Perry Sport Beans / Wilier @2.57
60 Dean Downing Rapha Condor @3.04
61 Simon Holt Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. st
62 Scott Macrae Endura Racing @3.24
63 Andy Tinsley Science in Sport st
64 Freddy Johansson Team Magnus Maximus Coffee st
65 Andrew Magnier Planet X R.T. @3.34
66 Collin Humphrey Team Sportscover @3.38
67 Colin Parry V.C. St. Raphael @3.40
King of the Hills
1 Andy Tennant Team Halfords Bikehut 10pts
2 Simon Richardson Rapha Conder 8pts
3 Daniel Kogan BMC UK RT 3pts
3 Graham Briggs Candi TV - Marshalls Pasta R.T. 3pts
