Charlie Meredith (Mid Devon CC) and Gabe Dellar (Stolen Goat RT) were the stage winners on day one of the Totnes Vire, with Dellar the overnight leader after two stages, 25 May
Gabriel Dellar (Stolen Goat RT) leads the Totnes Vire after two stages after a convincing solo win on stage 2. Charlie Meredith (Mid Devon CC) won the morning’s stage 1 time trial and sits second on GC, just 11 seconds back on Dellar with two stages remaining.
The opening stage of the Totnes Vire stage race, a challenging 14km individual time trial, saw Charlie Meredith of Mid Devon CC secure a decisive victory. Meredith, a former SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling and Zappi Racing rider, showcased his prowess on the rolling point-to-point course, which featured 217 meters of climbing. His impressive time of 19 minutes and 9 seconds set the benchmark for the competition.
Recent Bec CC road race winner Gabe Dellar of the Stolen Goat RT claimed the second spot, finishing 28 seconds behind Meredith with a time of 19 minutes and 37 seconds. Dellar’s teammate, Thomas Heal, secured the third position with a time of 19 minutes and 49 seconds, making it a strong showing for the Stolen Goat Race Team.
Meredith in yellow. Image: Mike Gratton
Oscar Hutchings from Schils – Doltcini Racing Team crossed the line in fourth place with a time of 19 minutes and 58 seconds, closely followed by Edward Calow of the UK Armed Forces Team, who completed the course in 20 minutes and 4 seconds. Josh Housley of HUUB BCC Race Team took sixth place, clocking in at 20 minutes and 16 seconds.
Meredith’s stellar performance on this demanding course gave him an early lead in the race ahead of stage 2.
Stage 2 | Roy Hopkins Dartmoor View Road Race
In an exhilarating second stage of the Totnes Vire, Gabe Dellar of Stolen Goat RT showcased strategic brilliance and raw power to seize victory and the yellow jersey, edging out his rivals by 11 seconds.
The race began in a relatively subdued manner, with the peloton maintaining a steady pace. However, it wasn’t long before Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT) and Edward Calow (UK Armed Forces Team) launched an early breakaway, gaining a substantial lead of over two minutes.
Despite both riders being serious contenders for the general classification, the main group seemed content to let them go, setting the stage for an intriguing tactical battle.
As the race progressed, Stolen Goat RT, along with the team of the yellow jersey, Mid Devon CC, recognised the danger posed by the breakaway. The chase began in earnest, marked by a series of aggressive attacks. Dellar, alongside teammate Tom Heal, who was sitting third in the GC, orchestrated a move that successfully bridged the gap to the leading duo, forming a six-man lead group.
Despite their efforts, the newly formed lead group struggled to build a cohesive rhythm, never extending their advantage beyond a minute. Their lack of coordination allowed Meredith, the race leader, to demonstrate his formidable strength. Virtually singlehandedly, Meredith reeled in the breakaway within a lap and a half, nullifying their advantage with an impressive display of endurance and tenacity.
Sensing an opportunity as the final lap approached, Dellar executed a perfectly timed attack on one of the course’s sharp climbs. His move caught the exhausted peloton off guard, and he quickly gained a decisive separation. With approximately 15 minutes of racing remaining, Dellar powered through the course solo, maintaining his lead to the finish line.
Crossing the line first, Dellar not only claimed the stage victory but also donned the coveted yellow jersey, positioning his team advantageously for the final day of racing.
“We’ve by no means sealed the GC,” Dellar told The British Continental post-race, “But we’ve put our team into a good position for tomorrow,”
As the Totnes Vire stage race heads into day two, all eyes will be on Dellar and Stolen Goat RT, as they aim to defend their lead against a determined field.
Gabriel Dellar (Stolen Goat RT) leads the Totnes Vire after two stages after a convincing solo win on stage 2. Charlie Meredith (Mid Devon CC) won the morning’s stage 1 time trial and sits second on GC, just 11 seconds back on Dellar with two stages remaining.
See the race preview here.
Featured image: Chris Godfrey
Report
Stage 1 | Ken Robertson Ruby Country TT
The opening stage of the Totnes Vire stage race, a challenging 14km individual time trial, saw Charlie Meredith of Mid Devon CC secure a decisive victory. Meredith, a former SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling and Zappi Racing rider, showcased his prowess on the rolling point-to-point course, which featured 217 meters of climbing. His impressive time of 19 minutes and 9 seconds set the benchmark for the competition.
Recent Bec CC road race winner Gabe Dellar of the Stolen Goat RT claimed the second spot, finishing 28 seconds behind Meredith with a time of 19 minutes and 37 seconds. Dellar’s teammate, Thomas Heal, secured the third position with a time of 19 minutes and 49 seconds, making it a strong showing for the Stolen Goat Race Team.
Oscar Hutchings from Schils – Doltcini Racing Team crossed the line in fourth place with a time of 19 minutes and 58 seconds, closely followed by Edward Calow of the UK Armed Forces Team, who completed the course in 20 minutes and 4 seconds. Josh Housley of HUUB BCC Race Team took sixth place, clocking in at 20 minutes and 16 seconds.
Meredith’s stellar performance on this demanding course gave him an early lead in the race ahead of stage 2.
Stage 2 | Roy Hopkins Dartmoor View Road Race
In an exhilarating second stage of the Totnes Vire, Gabe Dellar of Stolen Goat RT showcased strategic brilliance and raw power to seize victory and the yellow jersey, edging out his rivals by 11 seconds.
The race began in a relatively subdued manner, with the peloton maintaining a steady pace. However, it wasn’t long before Josh Housley (HUUB BCC RT) and Edward Calow (UK Armed Forces Team) launched an early breakaway, gaining a substantial lead of over two minutes.
Despite both riders being serious contenders for the general classification, the main group seemed content to let them go, setting the stage for an intriguing tactical battle.
As the race progressed, Stolen Goat RT, along with the team of the yellow jersey, Mid Devon CC, recognised the danger posed by the breakaway. The chase began in earnest, marked by a series of aggressive attacks. Dellar, alongside teammate Tom Heal, who was sitting third in the GC, orchestrated a move that successfully bridged the gap to the leading duo, forming a six-man lead group.
Despite their efforts, the newly formed lead group struggled to build a cohesive rhythm, never extending their advantage beyond a minute. Their lack of coordination allowed Meredith, the race leader, to demonstrate his formidable strength. Virtually singlehandedly, Meredith reeled in the breakaway within a lap and a half, nullifying their advantage with an impressive display of endurance and tenacity.
Sensing an opportunity as the final lap approached, Dellar executed a perfectly timed attack on one of the course’s sharp climbs. His move caught the exhausted peloton off guard, and he quickly gained a decisive separation. With approximately 15 minutes of racing remaining, Dellar powered through the course solo, maintaining his lead to the finish line.
Crossing the line first, Dellar not only claimed the stage victory but also donned the coveted yellow jersey, positioning his team advantageously for the final day of racing.
“We’ve by no means sealed the GC,” Dellar told The British Continental post-race, “But we’ve put our team into a good position for tomorrow,”
As the Totnes Vire stage race heads into day two, all eyes will be on Dellar and Stolen Goat RT, as they aim to defend their lead against a determined field.
Results
Stage 1
Stage 2
General classification
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