Page 150 - RAPTC Year of 2019

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
RAPTC road cycling club has had a fantastic year following on from the previous successes of the 2018 Army Cycling Road Race Series (ACRRS) and is continuing to grow in
strength and numbers. We sadly said farewell to some inspiring and strong riders; SSgt (SSI) K Bell, SSgt (SSI) J Stokes-Whitaker, as their time in the Army has come to an end, but their individual drive and determination to push forward the road cycling club will continue with the new members; Sgt (SI) J Kemp and Sgt (SI) P Quinn.
The Inter Corps Road Cycling Championships is the accumulation of the ACRRS season and pits the top riders from each Corps against each other. Unfortunately, the RAPTC cycling women’s team were pipped to the post and achieved a very respectable 2nd place, while the men’s team came in 3rd place.
The Inter Corps Road Race Team
Men: Capt (MAA) M Greenwood, Capt (MAA) B Reese, WO2 (QMSI) S Pyburn, Sgt (SI) M Kirkbright, Sgt (SI) J Kemp, Sgt (SI) R Holder, Sgt (SI) P Quinn
Women: WO1 (Corps SM) R McKenzie, WO1 (SMI) C Mason, Sgt (SI) C Spence, Sgt (SI) L Barrigan, Sgt (SI) L Hilson
Overseas visit 2019
This years OSV was conducted slightly different to previous years, which are primarily based around a 10-day training block in preparation for the upcoming ACRRS season, it was encompassed a 3-day stage race known as the UCI Gran Fondo. The UCI Gran Fondo race is formatted as follows;
Stage 1 – Individual 28km Time Trial.
The men’s team smiling through the pain
Stage 2 – 80km road race. Stage 3 – 50km road race.
From the get-go, the race was hard fast and aggressive, challenging all riders not only on their physical ability but also mentally due to the arduous terrain, steep climbs and continuously changing weather; sleet, rain and scorching sun.
The race highlighted the RAPTC riders overwhelming desire to work as a team and sacrifice personnel equipment in order to benefit riders who were showing promise of placing higher.
This was demonstrated with huge success when SSgt Ashton showed selfless commitment by giving his wheel to Capt Greenwood, so that he could continue racing against an incredibly strong field of riders. Along with Capt Greenwood’s outstanding physical fitness, and SSgt Ashton’s wheel, Capt Greenwood raced his way to a podium finish of 3rd place.
All riders placed within the top 100 out of a respectable 378 competitors, which is a notable achievement given the standard of riders who compete at this event from all around the world.
UCI Gran Fondo Team:
Lt Col (MAA) Phillips, Capt (MAA) Greenwood, Capt (MAA) Jackson, WO1 (SMI) Cowley, WO2 (QMSI) Pyburn, SSgt (SSI) Richardson, SSgt (SSI) Ashton, Sgt (SI) Woodhead, Sgt (SI) Holder, Sgt (SI) Kirkbright
The women’s team looking glad to be off the saddle
RAPTC CYCLING
Sgt (SI) M Woodhead RAPTC
RAPTC Cycling team leading from the front as always
Why so serious?