It was his first major victory as a sports director.
Now Tim Elverson returns to the Tour of the Reservoir with designs on another memorable weekend for BIKE Channel Canyon.
In the colours of Pedal Heaven, the team boss sent out Joe Fry to clinch the two-day stage race in County Durham last season.
It was a record-breaking success for the Potters Bar talent, as he became the youngest-ever winner of the race at just 19.
Fry, who made the switch to BIKE Channel Canyon with Elverson, is in the eight-man squad which will roll out of Edmundbuyers on Saturday (12.30pm).
Dexter Gardias and Jack Pullar were also part of that ground-breaking triumph and will return alongside the reigning champion.
For Elverson, the race evokes great memories, even if it has now been pushed back in the British Cycling calendar, from April to July. The sports director said:
“That was our first big win at Pedal Heaven. It was a great weekend for everyone involved in the team. Joe was very good but all the lads rode brilliantly in that race.
“Joe is here again as the defending champion. We would have liked him to have had a bit of a different season up to this point.
“But it is still good and I am well happy with where the team is at. Hopefully, it will all come together again this weekend. We are looking forward to it.”
Elverson worked hard to build a well-balanced roster at BIKE Channel Canyon. And once again he arrives at a major domestic race with plenty of different cards to play.
Fry underlined his potential in the race last season, while Pullar was ninth on general classification after finishing eighth and fifth on the two respective stages.
Rob Partridge, who continues his return from a broken collarbone and three cracked ribs, was third in 2009.
The Welshman also went on to finish eighth in 2013, when Chris Opie was runner-up to Evan Oliphant after winning the opening stage.
Punchy talent Matt Nowell and strongman James Lowsley-Williams have also tackled the race before and, while it will be Max Stedman’s debut, the climber will no doubt enjoy the terrain.
Gardias is arguably the man in form, though, after a fantastic 16th place in the national road race on the Isle of Man last weekend. Elverson added:
“Dex rode brilliantly. He may have got a few places higher if his group hadn’t been pulled out but that is neither here nor there. He rode really well.
“He always gets himself in good shape for the nationals. But that is intentional as well because he will ride both the Reservoir and Velothon.
“He is not far away from a big win. The Reservoir is one that does suit him but that can also be said of the most of our team.
“It is all about getting in the right move on day one. Once again we go there with lots of options and hopefully we will have a few cards to play on Sunday.”
The Tour of the Reservoir was previously part of the Spring Cup Series but now marks the opening round of the Grand Prix Series, which climaxes with the Leicester Castle Classic on August 13.
Saturday’s 135km stage will see the riders loop the Derwent Reservoir seven times, taking on Prime Hill, Carrick Corner and Pow Hill.
A 133km finale awaits on Sunday, starting and finishing with two laps of the water and including three laps of the Blanchard loop, which takes in the climbs of Blanchard, Bales Hill and Meadows Edge.
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