News

Haut Var Report

Stage 1 - La Croix Valmer to Grimaud - 175.6km

The stage started under chilly, blue skies in La Croix Valmer with just 5km of warm up before the first climb of the day where the pace picked up as the peleton headed up and round it's numerous hairpins. David Lines suffered a puncture and packed along with Gary Hand early in the stage.

As the race headed up the major climb of the day with a break up the road, Française Des Jeux drove the bunch on and several riders dropped out of the back. Unfortunately, Scott Thwaites and Jack Bauer crashed on the descent with Jack forced to withdraw. Happily after a night in hospital for observation, Jack was back out on Sunday raring to go. Ian Wilkinson and Evan Oliphant were next to suffer a misfortune with Ian taking a trip to the floor and Evan puncturing late on.

Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale), who pounced at the 1km banner to take the stage from Samuel Damoulin (Cofidis) and Bert De Waele (Landbouwcredit). Alexandre Blain and Rob Partridge finished around 30 seconds down on stage winner. Evan, Ian and Scott battled back to finish the stage after a tough day in (and off) the saddle.

Stage 2 - Draguignan to Montauroux - 200.7km

Sunny skies again greeted the riders in Draguignan for the start of stage two with a long, hilly stage lying ahead of them including a 22% climb! With a six man break out front,Endura Racing's five remaining riders were sitting comfortably in the main bunch until the climb when the pace took its toll. As the race was ripped apart by the fast pace over the HC climb. Alexandre, Ian and Rob were sitting in the second group on the road, with Evan in the third and Scott in the fourth. Following yesterday's exertions, the pace was too high for Scott and he withdrew.

Christophe Le Mevel (Française Des Jeux) took the stage and the overall.

Cyclevox had cameras out on the road during the race, so look out for photos and footage on the website soon.

Next - Endura Racing head to Spain for the Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia.

Thanks to Anthony McCrossan of Cyclevox for his excellent Twitter commentary during the race - you can find him @antmccrossan. Remember to follow @enduraracing for updates throughout the season.

VIEW RESULTS

22/02/2010