Cycling: Partridge eager for rest

Sep 17 2007 by Ben Thornley, Daily Post

WREXHAM rider Rob Partridge brought the curtain down on his 2007 season at the weekend and admitted he’s going to enjoy every minute of putting his feet up.

The 21-year-old finished his fourth Tour of Britain in 61st position overall, more than 22 minutes behind winner Romain Feillu, and revealed his aching body was in desperate need of a rest.

The Recycling.co.uk rider wasn’t the only rider to feel the pace on the 97 mile stage from Dumfries to Glasgow on Saturday and he breathed a huge sigh of relief when he finally crossed the line in a respectable 48th place.

He said: “It was a really hard day again on Saturday and I really felt it – I’m just glad I’ve got a few weeks off now.”

This year’s gruelling 550 mile slog on Britain’s roads was Partridge’s fourth home Tour and he revealed it had been the toughest test yet.

Feillu won the yellow jersey by a margin of less than half a second from Adrian Palomares and Partridge added: “This week has been brutal on the riders.

“The race has been a lot harder than the previous three and that can only be good for the Tour.”