Wojciech Szlachta has won the Toachim House Grand Prix in the SERRL on July 31st. Dave Hayward report & photos – Photos at www.davehayward.com
2011 Toachim House GP Tenterden Kent, sponsored by Toachim House Veterinary services.
There was a last minute change of course from the regular venue at Godmersham to Tenterden that caused a flurry of entrants making it a full field for the 134km race in the heart of Kent. With a healthy prize for the winner, it wasn’t long before the bunch was strung out as far as the eye could see. Anyone with any serious intention of getting to the end of the course first were putting the pressure on.
This race was going to stretch the fitness and ability, as each rider attacked and countered, snaking the bunch through the lanes, at any point it looked that a split might happen. It took two laps for a breakaway to finally build a lead of 30 seconds, but it looked fragile even though Tom Coupland (Sigma) Marcel Six (Twenty3c Orbea) Mike Barns (ColourTech), Andy Doland (Team Toachim) with the Merilees brothers (Wyndymilla) were working hard. On lap 4, the race had changed again after a crash near Tenterden splitting the bunch with over 20 riders clear of what was left of a chasing group. This time it looked more definite that this would contain the winner.
For some, the group was too big, and after a lull in the pace, there were fireworks as the action kicked off again as riders were not happy with others sitting on. Tom Copland took the initiative jumping away from the group and he was then joined by Pasta Montegrappa Zheroquadra’s Wojciech Szlachta. The only other rider to spot the potential move was Chris MacNamara who made a later jump to get to Tom and Wojciech.
Moving away gently, there were more reactions from the 20 strong group but the gap had grown too far. Once the three hit the fast roads towards Appledore and the sound of the bell, they were out of sight but within the group of three, who would take the initiative now as each rider was not confident on their sprint?
If there were mind games going on, it was not evident as the three worked really hard to maintain the gap for fear of being swamped by the chasing group before the finish. Four kilometres to go and the first and only move came from Wojciech Szlachta, jumping from behind as if sprinting for the line. Tom kicked to chase but Wojciech held the gap. With two kilometres to go, Wojciech was digging deep and this was going to be his biggest win of his career so far.
With in sight of the finish line, Wojciech left it as late as possible to throw his arms in the air and scream with delight deafening the spectators who clapped as he came past them. Tom held on for 3rd 10 seconds later followed by Chris MacNamara for 3rd. “For the last couple of weeks I’ve been going like a blocked toilet, so I’m pleased with that. My legs gave up when Tom and Wojciech jumped away.” Chris Macnamara of Corley Cycles explained. “Not bad for being in all the moves today” was Tom Coupland’s reaction.
Chris Macnamara, Wojciech Szlachta and Tom Copeland . Photos at www.davehayward.com
Photos at www.davehayward.com
Result
1.   Wojciech Szlachta     Pasta Montegrappa – Zheroquadro
2.   Tom Copeland     Sigma Sport Specialized Cycling Team
3.   Chris Macnamara     team corley cervelo
4.   marcel     Twenty3c-Orbea
5.   Lewis Atkins     Twenty3c Orbea
6.   David Mclean     Pasta Montegrappa – Zheroquadro
7.   Nicolas Hutchings     CS Grupetto
8.   John Veness     Handsling Racing
9.   Alex Higham     Wyndymilla
10.   Luke Wallis     La Fuga-Sigma Sport
11.   Andy Betts     La Fuga Sigma Sport
12.   Henry Furniss     WyndyMilla/Maxifuel
13.   Nathan Russell     PBscience.com
14.   DAVID SEAGER     Kingsnorth International
15.   Steven Griffiths     PCH UK Racing Team
16.   Robert McCarthy     Cycle Kingdom Race Team
17.   Toby Parnell     Cambridge University CC
18.   James Jones     Beeline Bicycles RT
19.   Shaun Duffield     Activ Cycles
20.   Adam Cotterell     WyndyMilla – Maxifuel
21.   Kevin Knox     Vicious Velo
22.   Marc Clothier     South Downs Bikes
23.   dean shannon     Orbea For Goodness Shakes!
24.   Luke Ryan     Team Toachim
25.   Allan Ridler     Team Cycle Kingdom
26.   Grant bayton     Wilier/Goselfdrive
27.   Gonzalo Rodriguez     East London Velo
28.   Rowan Dever     Pasta Montegrappa – Zheroquadro
29.   Justin Hoy     Felt-Colbornes RT
30.   Andrew Dolan     team toachim
31.   darren barclay     Arctic-Premier
32.   simon mcnamara     Southdowns Bikes
33.   John Heaton-Armstrong     Le Col
34.   John Wager     Felt-Colbornes RT
35.   David Barnes     East London Velo
36.   Michael Barnes     Colour-Tech RT
37.   Andy Waterman     ViCiOUS VELO
38.   Daniel Crawley     PCH UK Racing Team
39.   Matthew Theobalds     C.S. Grupetto
40.   Finn MacKinnon     Progressive Cycle Coaching Development Squad
41.   Michael Brown     Progressive Cycle Coaching Development Squad
42.   Adam Norris     Vanillabikes.com
