Tour of Cornwall cyclosportive - John Lennon
People have often said that the storyline of this season will be the power struggle within Astana: On one side Contador and on the other Armstrong. But they are wrong! So far from the moment he left Ironman Monaco in September to when he battled through the Tour of Cornwall last weekend, it’s all been about Lennon! In fact Mark Cavendish’s Milan San-Remo win barely got a mention in the British mainstream press. But when Lennon suffered two days of food poisoning after winning a sushi eating competition the story lead to major sporting bulletins.
A staggering 3 journalists were at the Tour of Cornwall last weekend for Lennon’s appearance, the second highest ever seen in the region since they varied the cooking instructions of the Cornish Pasty to include a cook from frozen option. We caught up with Lennon after the Tour of Cornwall for a quick chat; “When asked if I have any unfinished business in the cycling game, there are two races I really want on my CV. The world championships and the Tour of Cornwall!
Famous for pasties, crab sandwiches and Matt Wall, Cornwall is situated on the South West Coast of the United Kingdom. An area that boasts some of the wildest and most breathtaking coastline in Europe. But there’s just one problem........the 28% climbs.
The amazing success of the British cycling team in Beijing has propelled cycling and triathlon to the forefront of sporting participation in the United Kingdom and the growth of the “Cycle Sportive” racing across Europe. Cycle Sportive’s are basically a way of making the big one day professional cycle races that I am used too riding, available to everyday hacks, like Matt Wall for instance.
The race began like most races do....at the start line, but what brought me to the start line is the need to get some important long and very steep miles in as a part of my training for Ironman France at the end of June.
A dose of food poisoning earlier in the week had left me without my full arsenal of super powers for this event so what better way to defend myself against a compromised (not weak) constitution than 750 ml of Red Bull. A decision I would regret later in the week when I suffered massive cramps from a corroded stomach lining. But cramp is a topic you will only hear weaker men moaning about!
The ride set out from the town of Bodmin in spectacular conditions and immediately went skywards. This was a theme that would unfortunately be repeated many more times over the next 100 miles.
The course headed north through tiny picturesque lanes and old medieval villages to the coastal town of Bude where we stopped in at what was possibly the best equipped aid station since the days of cigarettes being offered on the course at Ironman Japan. The buffet of sugary delights included Bakewell tarts, jam tarts, chocolate éclairs, double chocolate brownies, mmmmmm double chocolate brownies.
Three thousand calories and a little ten minute lie down later I was back on board my trusty steed and heading back south along the coast road. The ride progressed along the cliff side for quite some distance and passed through some of the most beautiful seaside towns this part of the world has to offer.
A colourful medley of tiny little Fishermans cottages stacked against each other like an overcrowded book shelf. Old sea dogs dressed in black wellington boots and hand knitted woollen jumpers fixing their nets and crab pots while defending themselves against the onslaught of a thousand hungry sea gulls soaring overhead in a perfectly choreographed battle plan.
The scenery as amazing as it was had caused a lapse of concentration in the small bunch I was riding in and before long the realization was made. We were all alone and off course!?! We estimated a deviation of about 25 minutes. The conversation dried up and the bunch soon split.
 Back on course and slightly grumpy I focussed on the treats that lay ahead in the next aid station and began the strange conversations you have with yourself when riding in isolation. After exiting the aid station with pockets full of jam tarts, (a plan I carefully hatched during very sensible conversation I had with myself earlier) the real pain began. Climb after climb of greater than 20% which included two at 28%. Steep, nasty and dangerous descents with no sign posts or warnings. I couldn’t be sure what was hurting more, my legs or my forearms?
I bonded very closely with my new friend Red Bull but alas, NO WINGS. Not even a stinking feather! On top of the final ascent I regrouped with a new band of brothers and headed for home. Battle hardened, scarred and shaken but definitely not stirred.”
And so the final lead up to the classic battle begins and in 8 weeks the gladiators will take to the mountains in the South of France. Lennon, Wall, Williams, Bagshaw, Kass and Aggett. Stay tuned for the blood, the guts, the glory and most notably the lies and excuses when next you hear from us.
Ironman France - The Rivals:
Matt Wall – “Wall is a very different kind of rider. He’s really fat and he’s clearly going to be a contender for The Biggest Loser come June 28th 2009. I think this year may be his.”
Martin Williams – “The brother from another mother. Secret trainer or ninja? He often makes mistakes and cracks easily under pressure. He’s a great competitor and can always be found trying to hang on to Lennon’s wheel in the mountains. He can turn things around so long as Lennon gets a puncture.”
Jonny Lennon – “A champion with everything that implies – talent, ambition, strategy, a bit of everything. A great champion who is oh so good looking!
Back to news | 
