Archer Spring RR

[-Adam-]

So the other half of In-Gear were up in Buckinghamshire for the stupidly short Archer Spring RR. At just 75km, the race took in three laps of a tough circuit. Three climbs to speak of, of which the third held a gradient of around 22% for the best part of a mile, ouch. The plan for the day was to set the race up for my team mate Josh. Chaperoning him for the race was Jaco Ehlers, Jason Salter and Doug Baldock. Not quite fresh after Easter, my job was to get up the road if possible, if not, help control the race for Josh. Simple!

But, best laid plans and all, the race never quite went how we would have liked it too!

As soon as we rolled out, the flag was dropped, not that you'd have known it. The cars pulled away but our sedate pace continued, as I was in the front line I thought I may as well attack. Well, not so much attack as just ride off the front. There was a prime a few km up the road, and for a while it looked like I might get it. Though of course once the whiff of £25 became stronger, the bunch woke up. After the second climb of the day, a sharp twisting descent left us at the bottom of the steep monster third climb. Man did it hurt, my legs were still jaded from Ireland, and this climb was not what they wanted! Anyhow, I got up it, but had a brief chase back onto the front group. Behind was carnage, I reckon maybe 30 of the 80 rider field got dropped after this climb, barely 10km into the race. Unfortunately, Doug and Jason were amongst the casualties.

So my role changed, no more attacking, I was now riding soley to control the race for Josh. The race stayed pretty much compatto until the 2nd ascent of the climb which is apparently known as Whyteleafe, though for ease of reference, I like to refer to it as the beast. Up the second ascent of the beast, all three of us were too far back when the group split. As 14 riders forged off the front, we were left chasing a 30s gap. I told Josh to stay calm and sit in while Jaco and I went to the front and drilled it. We had some decent company, but despite holding speeds of 55km/h for a few miles, we weren't closing them down. After a windy descent back into the valley, the steam had evaporated from the chase as people began to tire or get frsutrated with the passengers. At this point I drifted back to speak to Josh, he told me he felt sh1t. That was not what I wanted to hear! Jaco and I were working seriously hard for what turned out to be a sinking ship. In reality, he could have told us this sooner and we could have re-evaluated our tactics. But by this point we had burnt a lot of matches so to speak.

On the final lap, I decided to see what I could salvage from the race. I was vigilant towards the front of the group, following some moves, but realistic with what I had left in the tank. Eventually we came to the beast once more, and the inevitable happened, a whole load more guys got ejected via the rear door, including Josh! One comedy moment on the climb was passing one of the Dynamo's, Tom Hemmant I think, who was upside down! I'm not sure what happened to him, perhaps he had toppled over backward because of the gradient? He was however, seeming to be largely OK. Over the top and along the ridge a few riders tried to forge ahead, but a few riders back from the wheel of Richard Prebble, I had no concerns! He was going so fast, it hurt like hell even 5 riders down the line! As we went over the top of the climb, there were maybe 20 riders in my group, by the time we got to the descent, there were considerably less! I always find it cool when riders get dropped on the flat. As we hit the descent there were about 4 riders 50 or so meters ahead of me, which I closed a bit, then assumed I would shut down through the sweeping left at the bottom of the descent. As it was, as I went to round the bend, a car had snuck past the marshal and I had to slam on the anchors to avoid bouncing of the side of it as I swung wide. So 25 meters went back out to 50 meters with about 1km to go. Luckily I had a new young junior to my aid, by the name of Hefin Price, a future star for sure. We worked together to close the gap, and got close, but no cigar. Then just before the line a couple of wheel suckers nipped by us to steal 19th/20th/21st leaving us to take 22nd and 23rd, with Jaco just back in 24th. As Hefin drew level, he offered his hand, which I duly shook. It's not often people do that, and he had been a gutsy rider since we both missed the break, big respect to him after yesterdays race.

On reflection, I actually enjoed the race, despite the obvious failings of the team. It was certainly a good deal less stressful than Ireland. It was a shame that Josh didn't have the legs, we would have certainly been higher up the results had he had done, or had he given us the nod sooner. But that's racing. I like the races that split to pieces too, it's a shame they didn't time all the gaps, but those that finished were probably spread over a good 10 minutes. In fact there was a second race, run simultaneously to ours, but 15mins behind. I would not be suprised if they picked up many of the stragglers from our race.

I was a little suprised by the winner, Cameron from the mighty Dynamo, but perhaps I shouldn't have been. Dynamo had a good team on show, so it was inevitable that they would be big players. Though after their tactical woes at the 3-day I didn't think they would pull this one off, I was wrong. Fair play to them.

Archer Spring RR 45 miles/73km
1st 8 Cameron Austin London Dynamo/Cyclefit 01:58:36
2nd 74 Dave Creegan VC Meudon @ st
3rd 72 Raphael Deinhart Cyclingbargains.com/Infinis/Metaltek @ st
4th 39 Matt Clinton Mike Vaughan Cycles @ st
5th 36 Warren Jesse Felt Racing @ st
6th 3 Joe Hemmant London Dynamo/Cyclefit @ st
7th 6 Sam Humpheson London Dynamo/Cyclefit @ st
8th 1 Andy Betts Sigma Sport, Specialized, Sportful @ st
9th 11 Steven Saunders Kingston Whls CC @ st
10th 45 Ashley Cox Beds RC @ st
11th 76 Matt Ulmer Evesham Wheelers @ st
12th 25 Richard Wood Team Milton Keynes @ st
13th 28 Vince Divine Finchley RT @ st
14th 65 Maciej Weremko Bedfordshire Road Cycling Club @ st
15th 66 Llewellyn Kinch GWR/3Vi/Swindon Cycles/Spiuk/High5 @ 25 sec
16th 70 Sam Allen A W Cycles @ st
17th 18 Lee Smith Agiskoviner @ st
18th 85 Flavio Zappi Geoff Thomas Foundation @ st
19th 73 Jason White Cycling Bargains @ st
20th 82 Jim Coleman Cherry Valley RT @ st
21st 7 David Streule London Dynamo/Cyclefit @ st
22nd 20 Adam Cotterell In Gear Cycling Development Squad @ st
23rd 46 Hefin Price CMC @ st
24th 61 Jaco Ehlers In Gear Cycling Development Squad @ st
25th 19 Joel Stewart Agiskoviner @ st
26th 56 Thomas Crouch Felt Racing @ st
27th 55 James Fox Team Milton Keynes
28th 79 Daniele Santoni Pearson Cycles
29th 9 Richard Hoult London Dynamo/Cyclefit
30th 26 Pete Smith Team Milton Keynes
31st 12 Luke Wallis Kingston Whls CC
32nd 51 Ben Wilson Solihull CC
33rd 71 Paul Holdsworth Hounslow & District Wh
34th 60 Josh Cunningham In Gear Cycling Development Squad

etc...

[Stu Merckx Man]

well done adam, nice report. sounded like a brutal race.

was this a premier calender?

[-Adam-]

No!

There's no way Dynamo would have won a Prem. Plus look at the results, do you see any of the prem's usual suspects!?

Originally this would have been the support race to the Archer GP, but as that was cancelled, it became the main race. It was only a 1/2/3 though.

[tel]

First of all well done Adam, but what happened to Prebble, did he not finish?

Terry

[Andy E]

Good effort Adam, sounds like a tough old race, even at only 75km! I raced against Cam Austin in the 3rds last year and he was amazingly strong but didn't ride with his head. For example he went on a 70km break at Cutmill only to get caught on the final lap and spat out the back. No doubt he was the strongest rider in the field but he didn't use his strength wisely.

I chat to Richard Hoult a lot and he says Cameron is now learning how to race with his head a lot more, so expect to see him at the sharp end of races for a long time to come.

[Toks]

Yeah that a 2nd good win for Cam, the Dynamos are certainly riding very smartly this year...that was quite a big split Adam (I know like Steve Saunders you were tired) but how come the rest of the guys missed it?

[Sylv]

[quote="Toks"]that was quite a big split Adam (I know like Steve Saunders you were tired) but how come the rest of the guys missed it?

[Michelle]

Interesting stuff. Shame about those wheelsuckers.

[quote="tel"]what happened to Prebble, did he not finish?

[Toks]

[quote="tel"]First of all well done Adam, but what happened to Prebble, did he not finish?

Terry

[-Adam-]

That sort of comment will probably backfire on him one day.

[Sylv]

Could backfire on Toks too from both parties

[Toks]

Hey tell it like you see it I'd say. I'm sure it'll be water off a ducks back to both of them.

[MJ_1993]

was this the one i was meant to read? sounds like some brutal fun. well done though. anymore while i'm at it adam?