The Danum Trophy 2013
June 25, 2013 Leave a comment
Race winner Ashley Proctor of Bike BoxAlan/Whiston Velo leads on the climb into Cadeby.
This was always known as a hard road mans event, when Martin Maltby Doncaster Wheelers decided to reinstate the race on a new course, it was to carry on the tradition, rolling roads, steep descents, nice climb to split the bunch up, through in a couple of villages and a sharp ninety degree left turn and a recipe for a great event.
The course was rolled out of the headquarters for 10 laps of the undulating course, it wasn’t long before we had a breakaway rider gaining 15 seconds on the peloton, by the end of lap two, two riders had broken away Ashley Proctor Bike Box alan.co.uk and Chris Fothergill Clay Cross RT these were to get a gap slowly to 1.03 by the end of lap four. The main bunch happy to leave them out there to suffer on their own, but these two worked well together, the peloton got them back to 25 seconds at one point, they were to be joined by James Baille Langsett Cycles and Gareth McInnes Energy Cycles.
The peloton makes its way along Melton Road.
This was to be the decisive move as the four worked in unison over the South Yorkshire rolling countryside. Two riders tried to bridge the gap Rob Watkinson of the promoting club and Andrew Shaw Out Of The Saddle racing team.
Local rider Rob Watkinson – Doncaster Wheelers.
With the race being run with the help of the North East NEG outriders the riders could descend in safety around the course and have ample cover. as we started the seventh lap other groups of riders got together to form a break of ten off the main bunch this was brought back. It wasn’t until the final two laps that the attacks came to go for the placings from 7th onwards. The breakaway riders had by this time gained a gap of 2:45 with the chasers a further 1:30 behind.
The final ‘climb’ on Cadeby Road.
A crowd had gathered in the village of Sprotbrough and the residents came out to cheer the riders on. They weren’t disappointed as the event was won in style by Ashley Proctor gaining him his first class license points, followed by James Baille, from Gareth McInnes and Chris Fothergill. Rob Watkinson led in the two chasers with Andrew Shaw taking a well deserved 6th place.
Jubilant Ashley Proctor celebrates his narrow victory.
Simon Walmsley, Dirtwheels was to take the sprint for the minor placings from Alex Orrell Turner VS Cycles and Richard Moore Squadra RT.
An excellent Doncaster Wheelers production on a new course, even the rain stayed off, well marshaled and well protected by the motorbike outriders. They are now planning next year Roll on 2014.
Report by Julie Rodman
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