Hawkins (front, right) has enjoyed another good ride in the UK
Ireland’s Peter Hawkins (IG Sigma Sport) has had another good ride in the British Premier Calendar Series, placing 6th in the Beaumont Trophy in Northumberland at the weekend.
The Belfast man was in the mix in the finishing sprint from a select group that was won by former Team Sky professional Russell Downing, now riding with Endura Racing.
Run over a tough course – three big laps with a climb each time followed by three smaller loops – it was a day in the rain and wind for the 120 who lined out.
Aggressive riding from all of the big UK teams present saw the race break up into two or three groups a number of times and small breakaways going clear. However, because the Premier Calendar is now nearing a close – with just two events remaining – many of the teams rode to protect their riders’ overall positions in the standings as much as to win Sunday’s race.
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The bunch constantly split and regrouped but had whittled down to around 35 riders by the finish, where Hawkins bagged sixth in the gallop to the line.
“It was a wearing down process,” he told stickybottle.
“When it split we had guys up in the lead group a good few times so we were well covered. At times it would split into three large groups and twice I was in the second group but we managed to get back up to the leaders again, with the group behind never getting back.”
Hawkins added while he was happy with his performance, he felt his form had dipped a little in the weeks following the An Post Ras. His team commitments on the criterium circuit in the UK in June meant very frequent racing assignments with little time for rest or quality training in between.
“I probably felt tired in the National Championships the weekend before last,” he said.
After another Premier Calendar assignment this coming weekend he was looking forward to some rest and quality training for building towards the UCI 2.2 Kreiz Breizh stage race in France from July 28th to 30th, where he will ride with a composite elite and U23 Irish team.
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“I think that will be about getting the U23s some UCI points towards qualifying for the Worlds. So hopefully if Sam Bennett is going for the sprints I can be up there helping him out with that.”
After that race, he said his next big goal was to ride the Tour of Britain, if his team secures an invite. And he is also looking ahead to hopefully being considered for the elite World Championships in Valkenburg in September if Ireland qualifies a large team this year.
Hawkins is now 6th in the British Premier Calendar standings after five events, with just two rounds remaining. He has secured 2nd, 13th and 6th in the three rounds he has ridden of the five so far.
Hawkins, second from right, takes 6th in the final sprint to the line
Hawkins, in the centre with white helmet, horses up a climb in the bunch
Beaumont Trophy (173km) Results:
1 Russell Downing (Endura Racing) 4:18:38
2. Chris Opie Team UK Youth
3. Marcin Bialoblocki Node 4 – Giordana
4. Scott Thwaites Endura Racing
5. Pete Williams Node 4 – Giordana
6. Peter Hawkins IG Markets-Sigma Sport
7. Ben Grenda Rapha Condor Sharp
8. Dale Appleby Metaltek Scott
9. David Clarke Node 4 – Giordana
10. Owain Doull 100% ME
11. Simon Richardson IG Markets-Sigma Sport
12. Evan Oliphant Team Raleigh-GAC
13. George Moor Cycle Premier - Kovert
14. Richard Lang Rapha Condor Sharp
15. George Atkins 100% ME
16. Tom Steward RST Racing Team
17. Ben Greenwood Vanillabikes.com
18. Wouter Sybrandy IG Markets-Sigma Sport
19. Matt Cronshaw Node 4 – Giordana
20. Chris Jennings Rapha Condor Sharp
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