Duo Magic - tales from the Duo Normand

Duo Normand - 1.2 (France, September 3, 2006 )



Neil, Kate (my daughter) and I drove across to Normandy (Marigny) on Saturday morning. Our 33 min train to Calaise was a little disappointing for Kate. She was half expecting a boat/sea/wind from a ferry. Next time Katie... The drive took 5 hours with one small detour through Caen.

On the morning of the race the rain came with annoying squalls. I had a lot of machanical stuff to do on my bike whilst Neil went for an hour on his bike.

More of the race itself shortly...

Results - 54.3 km:
1 Ondrej Sosenka (Cze) Acqua & Sapone/Radek Blahut (Cze) PSK Whirlpool 1.10.37
2 Denis Robin (Fra) Agritubel/Cédric Coutouly (Fra) Agritubel 0.02
3 Florent Brard (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne/Stéphane Berges (Fra) Agritubel 0.49
11 Neil Coleman (Gbr) Agisko-Dart-Cycling.tv/Robert Enslin (Rsa)

Career Best... at the Surrey League 5 Day stage race

I'm over the moon. Who wouldn't be? To win this race is a massive bonus for me... and boost my spirit.

I rode well and consistantly, but without the help from my team this win wouldn't have been possible. All credit to Dunks, Alex H, Adam and Neil (especially on the last day).


The 'Wall' was a monster! I was concerned on Monday night after stage 4 with the climbing. Being a big bloke doesn't help. But, motivation by wearing the yellow jersey and Dunks and Alex edging me on and up the climb seriously helped.

Stage results:

Stage 1: (93.8 miles)
1 Paul Griffin (3:40:53)
2 Rob Enslin
3 Alex Higham

Stage 2: (98 miles)
1 Kieran Page
2 Kevin Dawson
3 Roy Chamberlain
4 Rob Enslin

Stage 3a: (2.4 miles)
1 Kieran Page
2 Henry Furniss
3 Neil Coleman
4 Rob Enslin

Stage 3b: (85 miles)
1 Matthew Higgins
2 Roy Chamberlain
3 Richard Cartland
19 Rob Enslin

Stage 4: (105 miles)
1 William Bjergfelt
2 Duncan Urquart
3 Roy Chamberlain
4 Rob Enslin

Stage 5: (75 miles)
1 Paul Griffin
2 Matthew Higgins
3 Rob Hurd
12 Rob Enslin

Final GC:
1 Rob Enslin (18:31:34)
2 Roy Chamberlain (+01:07)
3 Duncan Urquart

Website links:

London Cycle Sport
Surrey League