Photo Diary – Wiltshire Grand Prix

Written by Velo Staff on 10th May 2016

This past weekend the team was lucky enough to have the talented Paul Wright with us for the weekend. We put together this photo diary of the race to get a good insight into the Neon Velo Cycling Team. 8 riders toed the line for the team, and it was to be a race of attrition as the 15% gradient on Fovant Hill would really wear the field down over the 110 hot and brutal miles.

: Team cars shiny and ready to roll over the 110 mile circuit

: Marc Potts and Jeremy Durrin nice and relaxed before the race as they pin their numbers

: Alex, Bergy, Elliot and the rest of the guys relaxing in the sunshine before being called up on stage

: Jeremy Durrin speaking about the team and the days hopes

: Elliot Porter, our main climber on the team, before the race looking chill and relaxed

: Dan McKimm is a very powerful rider who really did a great job keeping the guys positioned into the days climb on Fovant Hill

: “Davey – B” surprised us with a great ride. He is known for suffering more than most people and never giving up

: Tom Yiangou, AKA “Chang”. is starting to get stuck in to the big races as he is first year elite. Making the jump up from juniors is always a difficult one

: Gabriella Durrin is running a tight ship this year, she is ready to take off for the convoy

: The race was a family affair attracting loads of fans along the rural roads around Wilton and Salisbury

: Jeremy comes back to speak with Gabby on the days plans after we missed the early break away. Gabby’s instructions were – Get to the front and help pull back the break, and you MUST not miss the next move.

: Fovant Hill was the main protagonist in the race, wearing the race down lap by lap up its punishing 15% gradient.

: Chang and Alex suffering it out on the climb after an incredibly fast start

: The boys rolling over the top of Fovant Hill

: Marc Potts is a very versatile rider. As a track specialist, he has a mean sprint on him. Never count him out in any race. As seen here, Marc suffers over the climb to make the lead group

: Jeremy Durrin was suffering some bad cramps on the day, but he never stopped and raced hard all day trying to get off the front

: The select group pushing on over the climb. Elliot Porter was on a good day and made the very small selection over the top

: Elliot went on to finish in the select group of about 18 riders. The day was brutal and hot, so taking home 13th is a great effort and bodes well for the hilly races coming up

: Jeremy Durrin having a quick word with the director along the roads

: This photo says it all, after 110 miles in the hottest conditions the UK has seen in a long time. Marc Potts is drained and needing water immediately after the long day in the saddle.