Jack Bauer 8th in Lincoln Debut

Please take time out to back our "Keep Racing on the Roads" campaign to save Road racing by becoming a fan of our dedicated facebook page

Story posted May 11, 2010; by Cyclevox for Endura Racing

Having plied a his trade on the tough roads and pave of Belgium, New Zealand road race champion Jack Bauer fell short of the podium at the Lincoln GP yesterday, finishing a highly commendable 8th in his first date with this classic UK race. The Lincoln GP could almost be considered a UK 'monument', such is the prestige of this event that has cobbles, sharp climbs and a city centre atmosphere.

Jack Bauer (centre) is pictured part of the nine man break that went away after 4 laps of the 11 lap race.

With an 8-man squad consisting of Bauer, Alexandre Blain, Rob Hayles, Rob Partridge, Callum Wilkinson, James McCallum, Evan Oliphant and Premier Calendar leader Ian Wilkinson, the Endura Racing boys were in good spirits ahead of the 11 laps of this slightly shortened course. "Yeah, the boys were up for it", explained team DS Julian Winn. "Whenever we race, we race to win, it's as simple as that. There is a plan at every juncture, and central to that plan is winning".

As the race unfolded, it became apparent that the only hope for that 'win' would be Kiwi power-house Bauer, as with 6 laps to go he was in the select break of 9 men that would eventually provide the winner. Winn continued, "Jack was strong as an ox yesterday but when it came to the winning move, he wasn't quite there. He rode very well for his first Lincoln and I hope he can learn from what happened out there. Basically he has had three or four races in the UK now and he is learning the 'UK-way' all of the time."

Speaking about the rest of the squad Winn was philosophical, but aware that it wasn't a great day for the team. "Wilko (Ian Wilkinson) and Alex (Blain) weren't firing today, they were both riding depleted. They have both been ill this week, that's not an excuse, it's the reality of the situation."

Above: Left: Alex Blain, Right: Ian WIlkinson

"Evan (Oliphant) rode a good race today though, and was basically in the front group throughout. A few of the boys didn't have a great day, but we all know that there is more to come. I am not panicking, we have had a good early-season, with a couple of tough races in the last few weeks. The guys have got the form, and are all working hard, so things are still in place to turn things around."

However, proving that racing can be a mixed bag, James Moss provided some good news this weekend as he won the Middleton Bank Spring Classic in Morpeth.

With a break in the Premier Calendar season now until the end of May and the Tour Series not starting for two weeks, Julian Winn and a squad of 6 riders, including Moss, travel to the south of France this week for the 4-day Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour and in two weeks will embark on one of the biggest targets of the season, the Tour Series.

On the Tour Series, Winn concludes, "It's a big, big target for us. There are less variables in city-centre circuit racing and the squads who have power and tactical ability will rise to the Tour Series occasion - we feel that we have all that it takes to do very well."

Lincoln GP Top 5
1.  Chris Newton Rapha Condor Sharp  3:23:13
2.  Philip Lavery Team Ireland U23 @ 7 secs
3.  Simon Richardson Sigma Sport – Specialized  @ 49 secs
4.  Alex Wetterhall Team Sprocket ProCycling  @ 54 secs
5.  Ian Bibby Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta  @ 1.09

Endura Racing leading positions:
8.  Jack Bauer Endura Racing @ 1.12
20. Evan Oliphant Endura Racing  @ 2.19
21. Ian Wilkinson Endura Racing   @ 2.19
28. Alexander Blain Endura Racing @ 2.59
47. Rob Partridge Endura Racing @ 4.15
61. Callum Wilkinson Endura Racing U23 @ 5.51
68. James McCallum Endura Racing @ 5.51
78. Rob Hayles Endura Racing @ 8.09