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March 17th, 2013 – Ian Stannard lights up Milan-San Remo

British National champion and Team Sky power-house Ian Stannard rode heroically today to finish 6th in a dramatic Milan-San Remo which saw organisers forced to shorten the course due to snow. The race was won by German Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) who pipped hot favourite Peter Sagan (Cannondale) in a sprint finish between 7 riders.

Ian was hugely influential in the closing stages of the race forging ahead following the penultimate climb of the Cipressa. Taking the race by the scruff of the neck Stannard attacked out of an elite group going into the Poggio and remained at the forefront of the action all the way to the finish line. Stannard, Sagan, Cancellara, Chavanel, Paolini and eventual winner Ciolek established themselves on the descent of the Poggio with Ian Stannard leading the way into the final kilometre.

Other Team Sky riders did not get on so well with Geraint Thomas crashing on the run up to the Cipressa and Edvald Boasson Hagen being distanced on the penultimate climb.

After Stannard brought the riders onto the finishing straight all eyes were on pre-race favourite Peter Sagan (Cannondale) who opened up the sprint, yet it was Ciolek who rode smart in the closing kilometres and come over the top to edge out the Slovak. Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) finished fast but had to settle for third.

“It was an unbelievable day,” said Sports Director Nicolas Portal after the race. “On days like today I am happy to be a DS in the car! But it was great to see Ian seize the opportunity and show what he can do.”

The result will give Ian a big confidence boost going into the Belgian classics and shows the strong man’s form is coming in to place at the right time.

February 12th, 2013 – Ian finishes a solid 25th overall in 2013 Tour of Qatar and looks forward to Spring Classic season getting underway

The final day of the Tour of Qatar at Doha Corniche saw Mark Cavendish of Great Britain take his 4th stage of the 2013 edition of the race, at the same time of 2:24:31 and safely tucked into the front half of the peloton the current British National Champion, Team Sky’s Ian Stannard came home to wrap up his Tour of Qatar finishing in 25th position in the overall standings and marking a solid start to the 2013 season.

Ian was in good form all week, working hard for the protected Sky riders like Bernie Eisel and fast finisher Luke Rowe. With only seconds separating the top 10, Eisel was always in with a shout and was constantly on the attack eventually finishing the race in 5thposition helped by some hard work from Ian and the other riders at Team Sky. Due to their strong Team Time-Trial on stage 2 the team were at the forefront of the weeks racing throughout.

The event marks Ians completion of a solid block of racing in preparation for this years Classics season for which Ian has some high hopes. Confident a continued improvement in form and some luck could easily result in Ian taking his place on a Belgian podium this Spring season the strong-man from Chelmsford is raring to get going on the cobbled climbs of the Tour of Flanders and especially the Paris-Roubaix, a race Ian holds close to heart and has big ambitions for over the coming years.

Soon headed to a training camp in Majorca, Ian will skip the Tour of Oman in favour of some final prep for the Classics which kick off for their opening weekend in Belgium, Feb 23rd and 24th and the double-header of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.

Team Sky have announced the following line up for the 2 tough Belgian races:

Edvald Boasson Hagen,
Bernie Eisel,
Matthew Hayman,
Salvatore Puccio, (Het Nieuwsblad only)
Gabriele Rasch, (Het Nieuwsblad only)
Luke Rowe, (Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne only)
Chris Sutton, (Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne only)
Ian Stannard,
Ben Swift,
Geraint Thomas

Three days later Team Sky make their debut appearance at the one-day Le Samyn race (February 27) with the Classics group taking to the start again.

Ians’ Tour of Qatar stage results:

51st – Stage 1 @ 21 seconds
2nd Sky Pro Cycling – @ 5 seconds (27th overall)
72nd Stage 3 @ same time as winner
36th Stage 4 @ same time as winner
60th Stage 5 @ same time as winner
55th Stage 6 @ same time as winner

25th Overall GC

January 15th, 2013 – Ian prepares for season start 2013

The coming 2013 season represents one of ambition for Ian Stannard, 2012 saw Ian build on the successes of the past and notch up some great results including winning the British National Championships and putting in a strong performance in the World Cycling Championships towards the end of the season.

When speaking about the coming season Ian is confident he can continue his solid progression through the professional ranks. Speaking last week whilst on a brief visit back to the UK in between Team Sky Pro Cycling’s training camp Ian said – “I’ve put in a really solid winter and think I’m as prepared as I ever have been and feeling really good about the coming season.

I hope to get some results early on, I feel the form is there and am really keen to get racing now. I have some high aims for 2013 and would like to podium in a Classic and would love to feature in the shake up in Roubaix, it’s a race I love. I think last year I gained a world of experience and strength riding two Grand Tours and this year it’s time for focus and to start looking to win races.”

On the 14th of January Ian flew to Australia to prepare and acclimatise for the Tour Down Under, Ian’s season opener which runs from the 21st to the 27th.

2013 Initial Schedule –
Jan 14th fly to Australia
Jan 21st – 27th – Tour Down Under
Feb 03 – 8th – Tour of Qatar
Feb 15th – 21st – Majorca Training Camp
Feb 23rd – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Feb 24th – Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

Sept 28th, 2012 – Ian nears end of season after strong showing in Worlds

After a prominent showing in the recent World Championships in Valkenburg last Sunday Ian now looks to the close of the season with 3 races between now and a deserved break. Over the coming weeks Ian is set to see out his solid 2012season with Team Sky Pro Cycling by competing in the Circuit de Franco Belge, Paris-Bourge and Paris-Tours. Ian lined up on the start line of the Franco Belge yesterday which saw Jurgen Roelandts take victory in stage 1.

A week ago in Valkenburg, Ian went on the attack in true Stannard style with Andrew Talansky (USA) on the famous Bemelerberg climb but they were eventually reeled in and Ian set about keeping this years Tour of Britain winner Jonathan Tiernan-Locke as close to the front as possible for the closing stages of the race. Tiernan-Locke, in his first elite World Road Race Championships sprinted into an creditable 19th place and Ian in 36th place, 53 seconds down on eventual winner Philippe Gilbert of Belgium.

For the time being it will be back to business with Ian’s schedule as below:

Franco Belge, Sept 27th – 30th,

Paris-Bourge, October 4th,

Paris-Tours, October 7th,

Ian is looking forward to some time off following a huge season campaign that took in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a Espana, commenting on his season Ian highlighted the National Championships victory as a high point of 2012 along with lining up on the Mall in London to represent Team GB for the Olympics.

“It’s been an amazing season for the team, having Mark with us in his World Champions jersey and watching Brad win the Tour and how Chris performed in both the Tour and the Vuelta we’re seeing our labour bear fruits. I’ve had a solid season myself and am proud to be wearing the National Champions jersey this season in the peloton and flying the flag.

I’m looking forward to a couple of relaxed weeks once the programme finishes and then it will be all hands on deck for 2013 where I will look to improve on results from last year and take that next step up. I’m already looking forward to Spring Classics in Belgium….. I know! It’s a bug this game!”

2012 results:

Tour of Qatar – 55th overall;

Tour of Oman – 26th overall;

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad – 26th overall;

Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne – 80th overall;

Tirreno – Adriatico – 76th overall;

E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – 48th overall;

Gent – Wevelgem – 70th overall;

Ronde van Vlaanderen – 57th overall;

Paris – Roubaix – 51st overall;

Giro d’Italia – 132nd overall;

Ster ZLM Toer – 20th overall;

Tour de Pologne – 34th overall;

Vuelta a Burgos – 80th overall;

Vuelta a Espana – 111th overall;

British National Cycling Championships – 1st overall;

World Championships Elite RR – 36th overall;

July 27th, 2012 – Ian ready for action!

Tonight Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony officially launches the London 2012 Olympic Games! Whilst the fireworks and celebrations are taking place in East London it will be a different situation for British National Champion Ian Stannard and his 4 Great Britain team-mates lining up tomorrow at 10am on The Mall for the Olympic Road Race. The Olympic Games road race looks set to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in the entire Games with all eyes on World Champion Mark Cavendish who will relish the spotlight.

Team Sky’s Ian Stannard will line up in GB colours alongside race favourite and World Champion Mark Cavendish, Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, David Millar and Chris Froome. A squad with such strength in depth, team leader Mark Cavendish has nicknamed the quintet – “The Dream Team”. Ian who has been fine tuning his preparation around the rolling roads of the UK the past fortnight is excited to get going tomorrow and realises a British victory tomorrow would represent the perfect Olympic kick-off for a country still riding high after Bradley’s win at the Tour;

“I’m very excited about the Games in London, it’s been on our radar for years now and I can’t believe it’s finally here, we couldn’t be in a better place right now which is important mentally, all preparation is to plan. Bradley’s win in France was historic and tomorrow I hope to be an important part of Mark’s attempt to do something historic and get GB off to an iconic start with an Olympic Gold.”

The 250-kilometre course, which starts and finishes on the Mall before heading out of London to take in Surrey and the surrounding area, has the prospect of ending in a bunch kick, but the reality could be anything but. Nine times over a testing Box Hill circuit will take its toll on the peloton, with the climb having a cumulative effect and providing a springboard for attacks. Not every rider will be as keen as world champion Mark Cavendish for the race to end in a sprint.

Cycling – Road Race (men’s)

Saturday 28 July – 250km

Starts 10:00 at The Mall

(Includes nine laps of Box Hill)

July 4th, 2012 – Ian announced in Team GB Olympic Road Race Squad

The British Olympic Association (BOA) and British Cycling have today confirmed the five men’s road cyclists who will compete for Team GB in the Road Race on the first day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games on the 28th July.

This completes the full complement of cyclists selected for Team GB, with a total of 27 across all disciplines.

The cyclists selected for the men’s Road Race are:

Mark Cavendish (age: 27; born: Isle of Man)
Chris Froome (age: 27; born: Nairobi, Kenya)
David Millar (age: 35; born: Mtarfa, Malta)
Ian Stannard (age: 25; born: Chelmsford)
Bradley Wiggins (age: 32; born: Ghent, Belgium)

Additionally, Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins have been selected to ride the Time Trial on the 1st August. The Road Race – which is a circuit of around 250km – will start and finish on The Mall, while the 44km Time Trial course starts and finishes at Hampton Court Palace.

An excellent 2011 season saw Manx cyclist Mark Cavendish win five Tour de France stages to secure the coveted Green Jersey, become World Road Race champion in Copenhagen, and named as BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Ian commented: “It feels great to have been selected for my first Olympic Games, and it’s even better to know that we’ve got the support of the home crowd behind us. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the race and giving Mark as much support as possible on the day.”

London 2012 will be the fourth time that Bradley Wiggins has competed at the Olympic Games. He makes the transition to road racing after a fantastic Olympic track-cycling career in which he earned a Team Pursuit bronze medal in Sydney, an Individual Pursuit gold medal, Team Pursuit silver medal and Madison bronze medal in Athens, before successfully defending his crown in Beijing and adding gold for the Team Pursuit.

The athletes were formally nominated to the BOA for selection to Team GB by British Cycling, the National Governing Body.

The addition of the men’s road cyclists brings the total number of athletes officially selected to compete for Team GB at London 2012 to 507 across 25 sports.

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: “With just 23 days left before the Olympic Games begins, it gives me enormous pleasure to welcome these five road cyclists into Team GB to complete the selections for cycling across all disciplines.

“Team GB proved in 2008 that our country is a world leader in the sport of cycling. The men that have been selected today to compete in the Road Race and Time Trial have a huge amount of potential, and will be hoping to get Team GB off to a flying start with success on day one of the Games.

“In Bradley Wiggins we have a cyclist that already knows all about Olympic success with three gold medals on the track to his name, and in Mark Cavendish we have an athlete that continues to climb the ladder towards the cycling greats as he consistently proved his speed and class over the last two years. To have their presence in the squad is a huge boost and their leadership will be important to the team as a whole in London.

“We have fantastic street circuits in London for the two men’s road events and the massive home crowd that will turn out to see our cyclists across every inch of the route will add a real psychological boost and hopefully push them on to glory.”

British Cycling Performance Director and Team GB Cycling Team Leader Dave Brailsford said: “The final selection for the men’s road race was a tough choice as we had a really strong squad of riders to pick from. We have selected the five riders who we believe are on the best form and will give us the fastest team for the race. All the riders selected have a gruelling few weeks coming up, with Ian [Stannard] due to ride in the Tour of Poland and the rest of the lads riding in the Tour de France, so we’ll be keeping an eye on injury and form but for now, I am confident that we have picked the best team for the race.”

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk

June 25th, 2012 – Ian Wins British National Championships

Team Sky’s Ian Stannard topped the podium yesterday in the British National Road Race Championships in Ampleforth, Yorkshire to complete a Team Sky 1-2 with team-mate Alex Dowsett winning the silver medal. After a hard days racing around Yorkshire Ian was delighted with the win and the right to wear the National Champion of Britains jersey for the coming 12 months, “It’s a great result for me and it will be an honour to wear the National Champions jersey for the next year. It’s also great to keep the jersey in Team Sky and looking back at the winners over the year’s, it’s great to have my name alongside such a list of cyclists!”

The course, without doubt, played to Ian’s strengths, 182 kilometres of tough rolling roads and some windy conditions. The move of the day went on the 1^st lap of the arduous 30.4 kilometre course, Ian was joined by 4 breakaway companions which included Team Sky’s Alex Dowsett, Russell Hampton and Graham Briggs (Team Raleigh) and Oli Beckingsale (Endura MTB) and they very quickly established a significant lead over the peloton. In the bunch Ian’s team mates Ben Swift, Jeremy Hunt and Luke Rowe marshalled proceedings marking any attacks.

Having spent the day out the front Ian left the leaders with an attack on the penultimate lap with about 20 miles to go and soloed to victory coming in over a minute clear of eventual silver medallist Dowsett who made it a Team Sky 1-2,

Speaking after a hard day in the saddle Ian stated; “It was a really tough course. I didn’t expect it to be so hard but it suited me better. It’s a weird race the nationals. You have to race it from the front. The plan was always to be at the front of the race and take it on from there. So it worked out well.

“I felt comfy all day. It was quite a demanding course but I just soaked it up well. I’m really happy with the way it went. I just had a little dig on the climb and went away. It’s really exciting to race in my national colours for the next 12 months and it will be really cool to ride the Classics and just race in it. That will be really special.”

The victory leaves Ian’s name the most recent on a roll-call of top British cyclists over the past, most recently Bradley Wiggins (winner in 2011) and prior Geraint Thomas (winner in 2010) sported the coveted jersey and before names like Roger Hammond, David Millar, Sean Yates have all won the title in the past.

June 10th, 2012 - Ian wins Elite Criterium Race at IG London Nocturne

The weekend saw Ian take a victory on home soil with a dominant display to win the man’s Saint-Gobain Elite Criterium at the IG Markets London Nocturne. London’s inner city streets around Smithfield Market were closed to play host to the world’s top cycling talent, in an action packed night of racing the Team Sky strongman stepped onto the top spot of the winner’s podium, flanked by Kristian House (Rapha Condor Sharp) came in second closely followed by Niklas Gustavsson (Team UK Youth).

The popular event, now in it’s 6^th year on London’s streets was a real crowd pleaser as all shapes and sizes took to the streets for a nights racing around the historic market. After some crowd pleasing cycling events including Penny Farthing and folding bike racing, Ian took the glory in the elite race having lapped the field with his breakaway companions, and came into the finishing straight alone, arms aloft to a stunned crowd having attacked again out of the fast moving bunch! With form from the Giro Ian spent the majority of the race off the front, driving the breakaway to the packed crowd of 12,000 people lining the fast and technical circuit.

This year’s elite men’s race featured ten pro teams with riders from Team Sky and Orica-GreenEdge lining up alongside the leading British squads.

Ian commented after the race, “It’s been a fantastic night and it was a great race. The crowd was phenomenal – so many people coming out to watch a street bike race in Britain. With the Olympics just around the corner it really doesn’t get any better!”

June 8th, 2012 : Ian confirmed in line up for IG London Nocturne

Team Sky has confirmed Ian Stannard, Davide Appollonio and Chris Sutton to race the IG London Nocturne this Saturday (9th June). The eventful night of action will see another packed programme of racing and entertainment around the streets of Smithfield Market culminating in the night time Elite Criterium where the cream of the British pro scene will face off against international World Tour and Pro Continental talent.

As well as Team Sky’s firepower, the field will also include Orica-GreenEdge riders Matt Goss and Brett Lancaster setting up a head to head contest between the World Tour teams in the Saint-Gobain Elite Criterium.

Stannard, fresh from a strong display in the Giro d’Italia commented on the event,“I’m really looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd this weekend in London. I think with the quality of riders on the start line it will no doubt result in an action packed night of racing.”

Australian Matt Goss comes off the back of a stage victory in the Giro d’Italia and, as one of Mark Cavendish’s biggest rivals in the Olympic road race, is relishing the chance of an early victory on the London streets,

Sky and GreenEdge may not get it all their own way though with the criterium hardened British teams guaranteed to be no push over. Full strength squads from Endura, Rapha Condor Sharp, IG-Sigma, Raleigh-GAC, Metaltek-Scott, Cycle Premier and UK Youth will guarantee world class racing, setting the scene for the most exciting criterium race in the UK.

To add an extra dimension, event sponsors IG Markets, have created the IG Speed of Execution Challenge for both the men’s and women’s elite criterium. The challenge will measure the speed of the riders across the line with the fastest during the race winning a cash prize.

The elite racing will follow an action packed programme staring from 16:30 which includes a Penny Farthing Race, Folding Bike Race and skid competition.

TV highlights will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Saturday 16th June at 07:00 and will be available online on 4OD.

For more information see: http://www.londonnocturne.com/

May 29th, 2012 : Ian finishes strong in Giro d’Italia and looks towards Olympic Games

Team Sky’s strongman Ian Stannard came in an encouraging 11th place on stage 21 of the 2012 Giro d’Italia. The time-trial finale in Milan, which saw Ryder Hesjedal (Team Garmin-Barracuda) clinch overall GC victory from Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha) by a mere 16 seconds marked the end of an amazing edition of the prestigious Grand Tour.

The last stage saw Ian’s team mate Rigoberto Urán clinch the white jersey and seventh overall on GC, as well as this Geraint Thomas stormed to 2nd place in the final stage time-trial.

Finishing the Giro marks an end to the first half of Ian’s season and it’s now all systems go in the run up to the Olympic Games. Throughout the Giro Ian was prominent in playing his role as an aid to Mark Cavendish’s numerous stage victories. Looking back Ian’s more than satisfied with the opening half of the season, reflecting on his February – June Ian stated;

“It’s been a roller coaster of a season, the Spring Classics were tough this year and threw up some unknowns. I’m encouraged by my form towards the end of the Giro, to finish in 11th in Milan in the TT shows things are going in the right direction. The Giro has been great for the team, morale is high and Cav’ as always came away with his host of stage wins and it’s nice to be an integral part of that winning machine!

It’s now back to training and hopefully things come together for the Olympics, it’s exciting to be competing on home soil.”

Follow Ian’s build up to the Olympic Games on Twitter – @istannard

May 7th, 2012 : Ian off to a positive start in Giro

Courtsey of www.teamsky.com

With a solid display in the Giro’s opening time-trial on Saturday along with an incredible display of strength in yesterday’s 2nd stage, where Ian was hugely influential in team-mate Mark Cavendish’s stage victory, Ian Stannard is ready to make his mark on the Giro d’Italia as Team Sky look to continue their momentum.

Speaking yesterday following his stage victory, Mark Cavendish was first to praise Ian Stannard, “The guy did 150 kilometres alone reeling in the break – he did incredible.”

Ian has quickly gained a reputation as one of the most powerful and loyal workers in the peloton during his time with the team, traits he will look to display once again over the three-week test.

After enjoying his customary early-season hit out in the Spring Classics, the rider affectionately known as ‘Yogi’ is now ready to bury himself for the cause at the Giro.

Gaining experience

With finishes at the Giro and the Vuelta a Espana already under his belt, Stannard admits that the weeks building up to a Grand Tour become easier with the benefit of experience.

“You know what to expect so I’m a bit more relaxed about it,” he said: “I know where my form is so it should be a good race.

“I tried to chill out and rest up a bit after the Classics. The first week should be a bit harder. It’s not easy coming from the Classics straight into the Giro but I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good group of guys there, especially with a lot of riders I raced with in the Academy.”

Last seen chasing hard over the cobbles at Paris-Roubaix, Stannard admits that the transition from one-day Classics to a three-week Grand Tour is a test.

The challenge is all the greater with world champion Mark Cavendish gunning for stage victories, with Stannard admitting: “Every day in a Grand Tour is a massive effort, especially in the mountains for me. Even in the grupetto it’s not easy and then on the flat Cav’s up for the win and we’ve got to pull our finger out a bit there and deliver him. So it’s not going to be easy but it’s not all on the line for one day [like a Classic].”

Opportunities

The first week of the race is ripe with opportunities for the team, with three likely sprint finishes and a team time trial once the event arrives back onto Italian shores.

“It’ll be discussed when we get there but those days suit Cav. It’s obviously going to be hard there too and we’ve got to look after the GC guys. There’s going to be lots of cross-winds but with the team we’ve got there those flat days probably suit us more. It should be up our street.

“It should be some good racing in Denmark. The GC contenders have got a lot to lose there and we obviously want to try and win the stages. It’s going to be nervous racing but a lot of us have raced in the cross-winds and know what we’re doing. We’ve got a good team for that, so as a group we can go in there confident and strong.”

When it comes to the art of riding in the frenzied environment of a sprint lead-out train, Stannard is unflustered and comfortable in his role.

“I think you’re so in the zone you don’t really realise what’s going on around you,” he reasons. “You concentrate on your job, where your team-mates are and being in the right place. People get in your way and it annoys you for a split second but you are too busy concentrating on racing. You just get around them and sort it out.

“On the flat days it’s all about Cav and getting him up and hopefully across the line first. Then we’ve got the GC guys [Rigoberto] Urán and [Sergio] Henao. They are going to be up there so I’ll support them for as long as I can, then go in the grupetto, recover and rest up for the next day to do the same thing again. For three weeks!

“I don’t struggle as much as others on the climbs so I know I can stay in the grupetto reasonably well so it’s not really a problem. I don’t panic about it. It’s just about doing your job for as long as you can and then you get dropped. You just need to make sure you recover while you’re on the bike, staying fuelled and start thinking about the next day. You’re starting the recovery process while you’re racing.”

Giro Memories

Stannard made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro back in 2009 for the Italian ISD-Neri squad, an experience which he will always remember – not least because of the extreme temperatures!

He remembers: “The heat was a major thing for me. I think we only had about 30k of rain and I struggled a bit in the heat in the mountains. In your first Grand Tour as well you don’t really know what to expect, how hard to go on some of the mountain days and where to push yourself and not. It’s all a learning process and I’m gradually picking it up as I go along.”

A contender in his own right during the Spring, Stannard is quite happy to work in support of his team-mates, adding: “I enjoy the start of the season and I’m happy to do my job for the other guys for the rest of it.”

With a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, much of that work-load involves chasing down attacks and breakaways, a scenario Stannard is comfortable in.

“I know I can handle it and I know I can bring most of the guys back. Only Boonen,” he laughs! “We’ve got a strong team and I think we can handle the pressure. We’ve got the guys coming off the track so they’re going to have a fast lead-out on them. G [Geraint Thomas] proved that the other day in the prologue at Romandie.”

Team Sky will have interactive text coverage throughout every stage of the Giro at www.teamsky.com

Feb 19th, 2012 : Ian Stannards Qatar Training Analysis

Courtsey of www.teamsky.com

The Tour of Qatar was Ian Stannard’s first race of 2012 and his primary role was to work for Team Sky’s sprinter, the current world champion Mark Cavendish. For his stats throughout the race see link below:

http://ianstannard.com/2012/02/ian-stannard-qatar-analysis/

The week ended with success with two victories by Cavendish, however he also crashed on the final stage but was not seriously injured. Besides Cavendish’s two wins the team also placed second in the points competition (Cavendish), third place overall (Juan Antonio Flecha), and second placed overall team.

Read a summary report of Ian Stannard’s data below and feel free to see more about Ian, including his 2011 Paris-Roubaix race file by clicking here

Feb 6th, 2012 : Ian announces 2012 Race Plan

Ian Stannard is set for a busy season in 2012 with the announcement of his race plan, listed below:

Tour of Qatar

Tour of Oman

Het Neiwsblad

Kuurne–Brüssel–Kuurne

Tirreno Adriatico

Milan San Remo

E3 Prijs Vlaanderen

Gent Wevelgem

Tour of Flanders

Scheldeprijs

Paris-Roubaix

Giro d’Italia

Tour of Austria

Tour of Poland

You can follow Ian Stannard on Twitter – @istannard

Jan 20th, 2012 : Ian Ready for 2012

Throughout 2012 Ian Stannard will look to build on the success of 2011 and maintain his solid progression through the cycling ranks for Team Sky and Team GB. 2011 saw Ian take his first victory in the UCI 2.HC Tour of Austria where he sprinted to victory on stage 5 of the prestigious race. Other highlights of the season included narrowly missing out on victory in Gent-Wevelgem, his input and amazing team work in helping Mark Cavendish to victory in the closing kilometres of the World Cycling Championships in Copenhagen and being an integral part of the successful Team Sky in the Vuelta a Espana wherein Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins both finished on the podium.

“The Worlds was amazing to be part of. For Cav to finish it like that was just great. For him to come to be coming to Team Sky next year is fantastic.”

According to Ian’s team website www.teamsky.com Ian tallied up an impressive 14,713 racing kilometres in 2011 consisting of 93 days in the saddle racing! Speaking about his hopes for 2012 Ian said: “I am massively excited about 2012, we have some great additions to the team and having the World Champion in Cav add’s another level of excitement altogether. It was nice to get the win in last year as it can be something that hangs over some riders for a while, it was a tough season, I learnt a lot and it will stand to me over the coming years. Our Vuelta last year was brilliant, I was chuffed to see both Bradley and Chris on the podium and look forward to seeing how they get on in 2012.

Regarding me, I am looking forward to the Spring Classics, some people think i’m mad but I will take the wind, cobbles and rain over sunshine and smooth tarmac any day! Last year was a long one for me, from the Classics through to the Worlds and Paris-Tours but I finished the season in good condition which bodes well. Now it’s about looking forward and being in good shape for the seasons start.”