The KALAS Cup 2019 certainly lived up to its expectation and once again a superbly contested event. Now settled into its one day, two stage format with a 8.5km time trial in the morning and 130km Road Race in the afternoon.

Stage 1.

It would been a brave person to bet against Marcin Bialoblocki taking the win, and the multi competition record and Nopinz Symec Race Team rider did not disappoint. Marcin stormed to victory with a new course record time of 11.40 set in 2018 by Tor’s, now Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK rider Fred Scheske. The only person to get close was and to break the 12:00 minute barrier was Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT’s Rob Moore. Rob lead a trio Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT riders in 3rd , 4th and 5th place putting the team firmly into the team competition lead. The Walter Rixon white under 23 leaders jersey was taken by the reigning champion Tom Nancarrow (Nopinz Symec Race Team), but only 2 seconds from Jack Freeman (Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT). The times being close in the top half of the field and with time bonuses available in stage 2 it was no means a race over.

Stage 1 Results

1 Marcin Bialoblocki - Nopinz Symec Race Team - 11:40.0

2 Robert Moore - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT - 11:56.0

3 Chris McNamara - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT - 12:02.0

4 Ken Buckley - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT - 12:05.0

5 John Hale - WORX Factory Racing - 12:12.0

6 Tom Nancarrow - Nopinz Symec Race Team - 12:13.0

7 Jack Freeman - Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT - 12:15.0

8 Ashley Cox - Flamme Rouge Cycling Team - 12:19.0

9 Lee Frost - Nopinz Symec Race Team - 12:21.0

10 Frederik Scheske Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK - 12:24.0

Stage 2.

The peloton rolled out from the Overt Locke Ltd fore court into the centre of Somerton for the start of stage 2, the 130km road race. As soon as the flag was down it race with first full lap completed in 21 minutes, an impressive pace for this 15.5km challenging circuit. The first Prime at the end lap 2 the bunch looked like they were gunning for the finish of the race, showing the riders knew how crucial the time bonuses were going to be. Fred Scheske took the 30 sec bonus from the yellow jersey holder Marcin Bialoblocki, which increased his grips on the lead. It would take a special effort and team work to prize lead away from the ex CCC rider. The second Prime at the end of lap 4 was a different matter, with 5th place rider on the time trial, John Hale of the WORX Factory Racing had escaped the main field and had a 30 second ahead a next rider Jack Freeman when he crossed the line, who had out sprinted Red Walters (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK). The next 8 or so riders crossed the line in 1’s and 2’s until the main peloton came through stretched out in one long line. It was last year’s winner Lee Frost (Nopinz Symec Race Team ) working as a loyal lieutenant doing the damage, and successfully pulling the field back together. There were few more attacks but nothing was able to stick until Andy Turner’s move would shape the race. A solo attack he was soon to be joined by Joe Griffiths (TORQ Performance), showing their commitment to succeed the did not contest the third and final Prime, with Andy rolling through ahead of Joe. In strong pursuit was danger man to Marcin’s lead Rob Moore, and showing he was clearly on great form he had bridged to the leaders before the final lap. The main peloton was trying to give chase but were struggling to get cohesion to some of the rider frustrations. As the crowd formed anticipating the three to contest the sprint finish they were to be disappointed with Andy Turner showing his strength soloing across line for the win. Joe out sprinted Rob for second and third place respectively. With a few escapees between them and main bunch gallop which included the yellow jersey holder Marcin Bialoblocki.

Stage 2 Results

1 Andrew Turner - SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling Elite

2 Joe Griffiths - TORQ Performance

3 Robert Moore - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT

4 Joe Holt - Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK

5 James Hill - Team PB Performance

6 Aled Jones - VC Equipe/FlixOralHygiene/Propulse

7 James Ireson - Morvelo Basso

8 Joshua Gray - Team Tor 2000 KALAS

9 William Bjergfelt - SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling

10 George Mills-Keeling - Cycle Club Bridgnorth RWG

The question was, had Andy’s heroics been enough to take the KALAS cup? It was close, however Rob Moore efforts in the morning time trial meant he still had 6 seconds advantage over Andy with Marcin completing the podium. With Tom Nancorrow only 2 seconds ahead of Jack Freeman after time trial the Walter Rixon under 23 competition was tight. Adding to the mix Joe Holt (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK) went into the road race in third place but finished just ahead fast finishing bunch in 4th collect a few extra seconds and time bonus. It proved that Jack 2nd place in the second prime was the decider moving Jack to the top spot. Nuun‘s all round strong time trial along with a well positioned road race meant they took the team award. A strong all round effort meant George Mills-Keeling Cycle Club Bridgnorth RWG took the Junior award.

Overall

1 Robert Moore - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT

2 Andrew Turner - SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling

3 Marcin Bialoblocki - Nopinz Symec Race Team

4 Joe Griffiths - TORQ Performance

5 John Hale - WORX Factory Racing

6 Frederik Scheske - Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK

7 Jack Freeman - Meudon Pedal Heaven Le Col RT

8 Joe Holt Vitus - Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK

9 Chris McNamara - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT

10 Ken Buckley - Nuun-Sigma Sports-London RT

Full results can be found here