Right, so after yesterdays vitual win (all be it denied by the lack of proper photo finish equipment or a transponder system) i really felt i had a point to prove.
So at the start this morning after chatting to a few people, most were of the opinion that the last day wouldn't be too bad. With Max Bienowski seeming reasonably confident he could hold on to the overall race lead.
After having my photo taken as the podium for yesterdays stage, which was agonising. i actually found it quite hard to smile, and i missed out on a little cuddly bear with a sigma sport t-shirt on! I demanded that Hugo Robbins, who 'beat' me, name the bear adam in recognition of the close call, he gladly obliged!
So on to the race, we rolled out relatively easily. And after a long neutralised period, the race was on. Although the first lap seemed to pass without any noticable lift in the pace. Then we started racing... Attack after attack seemed to go, only to be reeled in again a few miles later. I was right up front overseeing the action, and after half an hour decided to try going with a break. Ian Lowe (Mr Thames Velo from yesterday's break) was present as was Dan Sullivan of Norwood Paragon. We seemed to create a decent gap and were working well, but got brought back after about 3/4 of a lap. It seemed no break was going to get away again.
But there was still cause to be vigilant. With the stage win up for grabs, and most of the people that were capable of breaking away being close on the GC. The pace remained high throughout. At one point a break was clear with about 200m on the peloton, and finally the yellow jersey decided to come through and attempt to chase. I duly lept on his wheel, but i didnt think the break was anything special, so when he pulled over expecting me to come through... I didnt, simply saying 'It's your race mate!'
Now the trouble i had today was that after yesterday, being in the break, and then almost winning as well. Meant that i had raised a few eyelids, and people realised i was strong. So as i mentioned previously, it was like i was a marked man. On the last lap on the big circuit (we finished on a shorter circuit) one of the Velocity boys went for a LONG lone break. With probably the best part of 10 miles to go, everybody just kind of looked at each other. A couple of guys tried to bridge, but to no avail. As we came near the end of the last big lap, he was still clear. I looked around and questioned whether we were going to chase him down or not. Ironically the first man behind me was yesterdays nemesis, Hugo Robins. He said with a wry smile on his face, 'we're all looking at you mate!'. Bollocks i thought, so i was sitting on the front not wanting to chase, but being forced to. So i kept slowing until thankfully, my old mate Ian Lowe came through, and went gently off the front. This soon got people to move their ass'!
I think the biggest mistake i made today was being far to active chasing and going with breaks. And showing i was strong, the trouble was i just wasn't strong enough to ride away from everyone. So i was in limbo!
The last lap (now on the small circuit) was a joke. Almost nobody wanted to work. And so as we came round the bend to come onto staple hill (which isn't so much a hill, just an uphill sprint) there were still about 30 people who thought they could win. Now obviously the road is only so wide. I came onto the hill in approximately 20th place, which wasn't ideal. But the last staright before the bend was ver didgy indeed, people trying to move up the outsides, people slipping back throught he middle... There was no good place to be. So i just rode as best as i could through the traffic. I didnt even notice that we had crossed the line, just that somebody was celebrating a win.
So there you have it, the three day was complete. And i had one of the biggest feelings of anti-climax ever! I think i showed real in-experience in working to hard, and showing my hand to much during the race today.
I think that i probably secured a top ten on the GC which i guess i should be pleased with. But i can't help but feel i was worth more than that. I was definately one of the strongest guys in the race. If only the rest of the team was there, we could have had the whole race sewn up between us! We (Paul T, Paul H, George, Sylv, Kevin, Sylv and now Stu and myself obviously) could have definately taken the whole three days from the front! Given how many dynamo riders there were in the race, there was only one or two that ever showed there faces at the front!
If i am honest with myself, i really didnt feel that i had it in me to ride so consistently for three days. So in that respect i am really pleased. But i also cant help thinking what might have been if a. I had have got my win yesterday or b. if i was experienced as some of the 30-40somethings that i was up against. But if it turns out that i hung on to a top 10 GC spot, i guess i have to walk away happy.
As andrew said i would on saturday, i am walking away a stronger, more experienced rider now, by far. So it was well worth it. And i got some pix on LCS lol!
[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/news/images/sl_3_07_2_1.jpg[/img]
Blimey, is that Adam Cotterell in a Breakaway...!?
So a suprisingly actually not very tired, and philosophical Adam signing off. By the way, I AM GOING TO WIN at Hillingdon this saturday
that I was unable to support you, bu a longstanding family committment on Saturday ruled me out of the whole thing.
