TransWales stage four recap
The five special stages in the TransWales mountain-bike stage race are incorporated as part of the seven longer, regular stages. The fourth stage of the TransWales included the third special stage, an 8.5km time trial. Raced on a circuit, the competitors either climbed or barrelled down during the time-trial, and the general classification contenders found themselves seriously struggling to keep afloat.
Ryan Hawson took the solo men’s stage win despite a puncture, and finished with a 21 second lead on Greig Walker and a 34 second lead on Paul Whittaker. Hawson now stands first overall, 24 seconds ahead of Sean Grosvenor. Rickie Cotter won the solo women’s stage, while the runner-up of the stage, Hannah Thorne, stands in first place overall, 12 seconds ahead of Cotter.
The duo men’s category was won by Neil Richardson/Dan Lewis two minutes ahead of Darren Koslicki/Adam Wroz, who finished two minutes behind and lost their overall lead to the stage winners. The overall lead also changed hands in the duo mixed category, taken over by Claire and Simon Neuhoff, five seconds ahead of Elizabeth and James Docherty.
The Gore Bike Wear TransWales is the only seven-day mountain-bike race in Great Britain. It was founded in Wales in response to archaic laws which prevent mountain-bike races to be held on public paths in England. The 2010 race began on Sunday, August 16 at 9:30am, with over 200 riders representing 16 different countries. The 58km stage one was ridden from Penmaenau Farm to Knighton in warm, sunny weather.
Cotter, the 2009 TransWales runner-up in the solo women’s category, won the first stage 18 seconds ahead of Thorne, while Hawson won the solo men’s six seconds ahead of Grosvenor, setting the tone for the rest of the race so far. Hawson lost his leadership to Grosvenor in the 82km stage three after a serious crash, while Cotter lost her lead in the same stage when she punctured twice.
"I was flying on the first half - I was right on my limit," said Cotter. "But then I double punctured so I had to run down the fireroad. It's tough because today was my favourite trail, and so I'm really disappointed."
The leaders of every category are in close competition to their runners-up. Cotter and Hawson will be working hard against the slicing sidewalls of the special stage to recreate their stage one performance in stage five, which will include the fourth special stage.
The Doethie Valley single-track, one of the most anticipated trails in the TransWales, will be contested on the night of the fifth day.
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