Team Axiom 25 - 16/6/13

[Andrew G]

My PB course (P885 on the A3 near Liss) and event from 3 years ago so a useful test of fitness now I can start to get this season under way proper. Jon H also down to ride but at sign on saw he was a DNS.

I got a lay in as I was off at the back of the field, #98, so was amongst some top seeded riders and expected to see 100 pretty soon.

It was quite breezy, SW, and the run to the first turn was very hard going. I was struggling to keep any speed and hoping it was the wind as I was in for a long race otherwise. Number 100 shot passed me and cleared off out of sight after just after 12 minutes on the road (for me), before we got to the turn.

Around the turn and thankfully it was pretty breezy as the run to the second turn was a joy. It's the leg which has some quite long drag ups on it but the road surface is good so you can keep your speed. I was bowling along here nicely and didn't see anyone else, so although not catching not being caught either.

Around the second turn and back in to the headwind, but the run to the finish from here is a net down with only a small roll-up along the way. It got a bit busy in the final few miles as I caught a couple of people and was caught by a couple, including a seed.

I was pleased with a rather binary 01:01:01 as although 2 and a bit minutes off my PB that was in better conditions and I was in better shape. Hopefully now I can start backing up the races I can get some form back and grab a couple of good rides before the season finishes.

#100 (James Gilfillan) who shot passed me so early won with 49:46 which impressed some of the other faster boys, Lee Turner said he'd also found it tough in to the wind early on.

A great event as ever from Team Axiom, they do run a good'un.