Wally Gimber

[Sylv]

[quote]Rob Hurd has won the 50th Wally Gimber, from David Creegan and John Heaton-Armstrong

[huw williams]

1 Rob Hurd
2 David Creeggan VC Meudon +0:07s
3 John Heaton-Armstrong Fit-For
4 Mark Daly private member
5 Richard Mason Fit-For
6 Herny Furniss WyndyMilla
7 Grant Bayton Sportsbeans/Wilier
8 Roger Smith Wildside707RT
9 Chris McNamara - Team Corley
10 Rob Enslin AWcycles.co.uk
11 Andy Betts SigmaSport/Specialized/Sportful
12 Tom Hemnant London Dynamo
13 Steven Saunders Kingston Wheelers
14 Daniel Felstead Dulwich Paragon
15 Alex Higham WyndyMilla (+0:50s)
16 james stuart Norwood Paragon
17 Ben Luckwell Sportsbeans/Wilier
18 Tom Smith AWcycles.co.uk
19 Justin Hoy Felt Racing
20 Simon McNamara Wildside 707 RT
21 Josh Cunningham In-Gear Development Squad
22 Andy Davies Fit-For
23 Jason Humphries Norwood Paragon
24 Billy Joe Whenman Sportsbeans/Wilier
25 darren barclay Arctic Premier RT
26 Guy Powdrill London Dynamo
27 stephen skuse private member
28 Julian Bray Dulwich Paragon
29 Philip Jones Dulwich Paragon
30 Ian Paine London Dynamo
31 John Venness
32 Adam Wojtkiewicz Caesarean Cycling Club
[size=150]33 Adam Cotterell In-Gear Development Squad [/size]
34 Mark Perry Dulwich Paragon
35 Mark Sussex Wildside 707 RT
36 Mark Perry Sportsbeans/Wilier
37 Kevin Knox Dulwich Paragon
38 Doug Baldock In-Gear Development Squad
39 Jaco Ehlers In-Gear Development Squad
40 Alex Peterson AWcycles.co.uk
41 Warren Jesse Felt Racing
42 Ishmael Burdeau Agiskoviner.com
43 Shaun Reed Bayeaux Landscapes
44 David Kennett Norwood Paragon
45 Steve Calland Norwood Paragon
46 Gary Dodd Sigma Sport
47 Matthew Melville AWcycles.co.uk
48 Ashley Holding Wildside 707 RT
49 Andy Waterman Dulwich Paragon
50 Russell Shingles In-Gear Development Squad
51 Chris Spence Caesarean Cycling Club
52 DAVID SEAGER SAN FAIRY ANN CC
53 Chaz Hollosi Gemini BC
54 Joe Hemnant London Dynamo
55 g mccullough Medway Velo
56 Jake Butler In-Gear Development Squad
57 John Wager Felt Racing
58 Michael Kingan Fit-For
59 Matthew Miles - Wildside 707 RT
60 Toby Neave Southdown Velo
61 Valentino Fontana Colour-tech
62 Gyles Wingate In-Gear Development Squad

[Sylv]

Where?

[Sylv]

No I still can't see him

[-Adam-]

Well, what can I say, what a frustrating race.

After last weeks battering, I was determined to be a part of the race. With the start sheet significantly less strong this week, it was a much easier race.

However, having spent much of the later half of the first lap jumping around trying to get in a move, I drifted back a bit for a quick breather, only to return to the front and find a break had gone. Now although there was some firepower up the road, there were also plenty of people capable of winning still in the bunch. The general consensus was that it would return at some stage, with a final lap or so of fireworks where the winning break would be forged. That wasn't the case however, the break was never over a minute clear, often in sight. This meant there was opportunity to get across, try as I did, I just couldn't seem to get in the right move to bridge. Equally frustrated was Billy Joe Whenman, this was practically his home race. He gave me a bag of Sport Beans whilst we were chatting, so I joked that it was some sort of rolling sales pitch (he rides for Sport Beans - Willier)!

So it came to the last lap, and I couldn't make up my mind what to do. I was really wanting to try and jump away solo and even if I didn't make the break, at least get a decent result. But I just didn't have the bottle. On the back of three heavy weeks training I knew it would hurt, and I was sitting really close to the front and there were several opportunities. But each time I just thought, no, I won't make it. So I then made a crap job of leading out my team mate Josh for one of the dodgyest sprints ever. There was a crash behind me somewhere, apparently the guy was ok, but carted away in an abulance all the same. I was severely elbowed out the way by on of the other Sport Beans riders, therefore Josh was pretty much left to fend for himself. He did grab 5th from the bunch sprint, which unfortunately meant 21st place. I had freewheeled for the last 200m and subsequently crossed the line in a very frustrating 33rd, mid table mediocrity sucks. The result belies the form that I have building.

But there you go, thats racing. Theres always next week right? No wait, that's Belgium!! Aaaaahh, in for another kicking me thinks. The Omloop Bissegem, U23. I don't think the phrase 'baptism of fire' is strong enough!

[-Adam-]

I forgot to mention, that was a class ride by John yesterday.

Prior to his podium finish, he spent the first 7/8 miles of the front on a solo from the gun effort. He then punctured, got back to the bunch. At which point the break had gone, so he bided his time, then did what I couldn't and got across. And still had the legs to drive it to the finish and take the 3rd place. I have no doubt if it weren't for his foolish from the gun antics (I had actually asked him in the neautralised section not to go from the gun, but hey ho!) and puncture, he would quite possibly have won.

Expect big things from that man this year and beyond.

[Jon H]

Adam, I couldn't help noticing from the photos that there seems to be a bit of a sock problem in your team. Get them all sorted out with nice white socks before the fashion police get them. Or maybe orange ones.

[-Adam-]

Yes, well you know I've been trying to lead by example, but it is hard work let me tell you.

I believe there are forces at work to secure a consignment of predominantly white socks from a pro team with whom we are well connected. In addition they have a nice chequer board pattern to match our sleeves... I hope this will satisfy the fashion police...

[Toks]

[quote="-Adam-"]

Expect big things from that man this year and beyond.

[Sylv]

Good luck in Belgium Adam,

Socks is "chaussettes" in French, I don't know what it is in Flemish

[-Adam-]

Cheers Sylv, I'm gonna need it I think...

[Andrew G]

"Blonde sokken" is the phrase you are after I think Adam.