All Terrain Ride in Peace Team update ……..

Stage 1 Individual Prologue 5th – Ed McParland 6th – Pete Barusevicus 19th – Billy (Matt) Bulmer The first stage was a 1.5 mile prologue or should we say sprint, there was a little climb to begin with and then an all out effort to the line. With the wind behind us it favoured the ‘larger’ lads but  held their  own and put some good times down.

Stage 2 Road Race 3rd – Pete 5th – Ed 36th – Billy This stage used the locally famed Penny Pot Lane course, 55 miles with a couple of short sharp climbs to deal with. At the end of the first lap a split developed during the hill prime and soon developed into a large break which would eventually stay away for the entirety of the race. Ed and Pete found themselves in the group and decided to push on seeing the gap open up.

They kept the work rate high and Pete had 3/4 attempts at getting away but unfortunately was reeled in by the remaining 15 strong group. This however gave Ed a chance to sit on and rest up before going for the hill primes on 3 of the 5 laps. The end came down to a sprint with 1 man chipping off the front. They were both up there, no time lost and KOM jersey secured. Job done.

After a strong early attack from Billy which allowed Pete and Ed to taketheir feet off the gas, he was unlucky to be on the wrong side of the bunch when the split happened, a strong ride to the finish saw him at the front of the bunch gallop. Stage 3 TTT 5th Team TTT or Pete’s TT. Pete put the power down from the start and so much so that Billy and Ed weren’t much help, only contributing to some of the work.

They finished with a strong time and were unlucky not to win, but the wind picked up and a couple of teams who set off an hour later than us managed to put down some really quick times. No change on GC or KOM. Stage 4 Road Race 3rd – Ed 5th – Pete TBC – Billy The queen stage of the race with a long climb out of Darley and up to Thruscross.

To their disappointment the commissaires decided to reduce the number of laps due to wind, but we were still chomping at the bit to get stuck in and attack the hills. The first 3 of the 5 climbs were ridden at tempo which reduced the bunch significantly. Pete lead Ed out for each of the hill primes which meant the Jersey was secured!

On the 4th ascent Pete sat on the front and towed the race up, thinning it out even more and was unfortunate not to break away. Coming into the last lap we knew we still had to get 20 seconds from somewhere if we wanted to take the overall, so early on the climb I put a big attack in and gapped the group, Ed pushed on and was joined by three other riders. Unfortunately one of which was the race leader. We pushed on but Ed was unable to get away and finished 3rd on the stage.

Pete also attacked and managed to put some fresh air in between himself and the group, finishing 5th on the stage. Billy held a good position in the main group and rolled over a little down on time due to cramp on the last climb. KOM jersey secured and moved up on GC! Overall 2nd – Ed McParland 4th – Pete Barusevicus 32th – Billy Bulmer KOM Overall 1st – Ed 3rd – Pete Points Overall 3rd – Pete 5th – Ed Team Overall 5th – Team

With the kit and the bikes we by far looked one of the smartest teams at the race and rode strongly together, with perfect teamwork we were unlucky not to have done better!!