It was a very interesting day for NFTO on the opening stage of the Tour de Yorkshire. Below is their description of the stage.
There is not much more you can say about the 1st stage of the Tour of Yorkshire than it was an epic rollercoaster ride. At the end of the day two of the favourites of the race are out, and we are a talented rider down.
The day started off brilliantly in the beautiful seaside town of Bridlington, 10m away from the water, we parked our Winnebago, Mini Bago and suite of cars courtesy of Cotswold BMW. We’re very biased, but we have the best looking fleet of cars in the Peloton.
The weather was turning it on, and our 18-year-old Irish Superstar got into the break that got away with Tom Stewart from Madision Genesis, Mark Christian from Wiggins, Cult Energy and a Cofidis rider. “It was fast from the start and we had most of the moves covered and then we went up a little rise and Eddie got in the break and we sat back and looked after Steele and he made sure we were all together,” said James Lowsley Williams.
Up the first KOM 51.5kms into the race, Eddie edged out the rest of the break of 5 taking the full points. The second KOM Eddie obliterated the group putting 40 seconds into the other riders up the climb. After the second KOM the break wasn’t working together properly and eventually got bought back before the third KOM.
Speaking to Hank (JLW) post race, “When Eddie came back over the moors, Jonny (McEvoy) and I were in a good position up front and the bunch splintered. I looked behind and there were not many behind! It then started to rain and I was trying to get Eddie in a good position at the front in readiness for the KoM and the descent became an ice rink.
Eddie was sitting comfortably around the front of the group with Steele and Hank ready to lead him out up the next KOM to try and make it 3/3. Sky was drilling it down the decent, closely followed by Jumbo-Lotto, and it was pretty wet and sketchy with a large group of riders coming down a steep, technical, wet, 30% descent. Somewhere in there a big crash happened that involved both Eddie and Hank amongst a host of other riders including Team Sky’s main rider and local, Ben Swift.
“A guy went down, so did I, a few others and so did Eddy. It was race over for us then and it was for Bibby and Steele. I am okay though. Swifty came down and the hedge looked like the best option for me but I had to wait for a new bike and ended up in the back group which wasn’t ideal for me,”said Hank. Eddie unfortunately had to call it a day, after that jumping in the ambulance to Scarborough hospital to have his broken collarbone adhered to.
Steele von Hoff was right there to witness the event, “There was a huge crash which unfortunately took out Eddie who was going for the KoM jersey so that is a big shame for him and us. From then on, it split after some Sky guys came down like Swifty went down badly and a few teammates went back for him and all of a sudden there was no control at the front because they were the ones who were controlling it. After that it was just constant attacks again without the control and it was somewhat like a British domestic race! We should have been right there but the way it was, none of us had the legs as it was just so hard on a really grippy day. When the final split went I didn’t think that would’ve been the one to stick either, said Steele.
“It was fun to be back in this level of racing and it was the terrain today that was undoing everyone. The racing for me I find easier because of the control but the hills were just the next level. I am looking forward to tomorrow. It’s forecast to be a windy day so it should be exciting.”
It was great to see so many of the domestic teams contributing to the race, in breaks and in that chase group. Obviously we are devastated for Eddie, starting the race in such strong form, really pushing the pace, and showing the world the potential he has that he wasn’t given the chance to finish it off. Even on his way home from hospital sitting with his arm in a sling up he knows he would’ve been a real shot for the win as he’d been feeling ‘mint’ all day. Thankfully it’s a clean break and he’ll be on the bike again in no time. And as Eddie quoted Arnold Schwarzenegger… “I’ll be back”.
