Erick Rowsell and Dani King claim overall victories in snowy Tour of the Reservoir
Adverse weather conditions didn't stop Erick Rowsell and Dani King winning in Northumberland. Photos by Andy Jones
Erick Rowsell (Madison Genesis) and Dani King (Wiggle Honda) were worthy winners at the Tour of the Reservoir two-day in Northumberland, but for differing reasons.
For King, her win in stage one and subsequently the overall victory was her first after five months out following a crash which left her with a collapsed lung and broken ribs.
And for Erick Rowsell his victory came after appalling weather conditions failed to stop his Madison Genesis team-mates from successfully defending his day one lead.
For Rowsell, 24 and from Shrewsbury, his victory on Saturday came after he was part of a six-rider break, but attacked alone with just a few miles left and time trialled his way to victory.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Saturday saw King take a jubilant victory ahead of Katie Archibald (Pearl Izumi).
The following day, and the weather had taken a turn for the worse. The women’s race began in heavy rain and a chilling wind, which by the end had turned to snow and left many riders suffering from extreme cold.
Emulating her brother the previous day, Joanna Rowsell (Pearl Izumi) took the win, while King did enough to hold on to her lead and secure the overall win. But she was left close to hypothermia and unable to speak as she headed to a podium full of riders adorned with foil capes and fleeces as they tried to get some feeling back in their bodies.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Such was the weather that the course for the men’s race was shortened and switched to avoid areas covered by snow, slush and standing water. Instead of the planned 112-mile race on a circuit to the south of Derwent Water, they tackled a 72-mile course using six laps of the anti-clockwise circuit around the reservoir.
The cold did nothing to deter attacks, but despite several strong attempts to get clear Rowsell’s Madison Genesis team-mates marshalled every attack and chased down the breaks to get their man to the finish with his leader’s jersey intact.
Marcin Bialoblocki (One Pro Cycling) took the stage win, but Rowsell had enough time in the tank to secure the overall victory and boost his Elite Road Series tally.
“I’m very happy,” said stage two winner Bialoblocki. “My form was very good and I was a bit unlucky at the start of the season, but the boys in the team have done a great job for me, they’re fantastic and helped me win.”
“It was a tough stage with the weather,” said overall Tour of the Reservoir winner Erick Rowsell. “But we managed to keep the GC which was the main thing, and to pick up second on the stage was great too.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Snowdon Sports is a long-established independent sports news agency, which supplies editorial to a range of media outlets - such as Cycling Weekly - as well as sports governing bodies. Snowdon Sports often covers results at Cycling Time Trials events in the UK and has long been a source of information and imagery to Cycling Weekly.
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
Jon Dibben joins Lotto-Soudal
Jon Dibben will be making his return to the WorldTour with Lotto-Soudal next season.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Madison-Genesis will fold at the end of the season, team announces
Madison-Genesis will cease racing at the end of the 2019 season, the team has announced.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Former Team Sky rider Jon Dibben joins Madison-Genesis
Former Team Sky rider Jon Dibben has found a new team after leaving the WorldTOur without a contract at the end of last season.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Olympic gold medallist Dani Rowe retires from racing at 28
Olympic gold medallist and three-time track world champion Dani Rowe has announced her retirement from racing at 28.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
British champion Connor Swift to stay at Madison Genesis in 2019
Continental-level squad strengthens its roster with signings from JLT-Condor and Team Wiggins
By Vern Pitt Published
-
Dani Rowe thrilled to secure second place at Tour de Yorkshire women's race
Time bonus sprints see Welsh rider jump ahead of Canyon-SRAM's Alena Amialiusik in overall classification
By Paul Knott Published
-
Madison Genesis complete 2018 line-up with five new signings
Madison Genesis have confirmed their 2018 line-up with five new riders joining the 12-rider squad for the upcoming season.
By Henry Robertshaw Published
-
‘For a breakaway to stick at the Tour of Britain it would have to be a lucky day’
Madison-Genesis have been almost ever present in the 2017 Tour of Britain breakaways, but say it'll have to be a lucky day to thwart the sprinters
By Richard Windsor Published