British NPS Rd 2 - well done Serge

[Sylv]

Serge came 4th in the Experts class yesterday in the National Points Series @ just 1 minute from the leaders, he needn't have worried about me joining him in this class as I only managed 16th place @ 3"45. A few more results like this and he'll be able to move up to the top class Elite next year and be in the same race as Liam Killeen and Oli Beckinsale.

Somehow I didn't really enjoy the course, and felt like I badly needed full-suspension (just as I've rebuilt a rigid bike for racing ..) as a good third of the course was on root-infested woodland that sapped the legs when forced to stand up. Didn't feel terrible but soon lost touch with the top end of the race and had to ride at my rythm.

No excuses though, think that's the kick in the butt I needed as I might have gotten a bit complacent with a couple good recent results (in less competitive events), and haven't really done any training lately apart from racing. Hopefully Serge will do a report of his race, think another lap or two and he'd've been able to get on the podium.

[Sylv]

Forgot to say, SteveSh was also in our race and it seems he had another crash - hope it's ok!

[Andrew G]

Blooming Nora, well done. When I did a Beastway last year Serge flew past like he was on tarmac and I was wading through a bog .

[Sylv]

Made it to cyclingnews

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/britis ... -2/results

[kieran]

Well done! and made cyclingnews!

[Serge]

Better late than never !

With my move up from Sport catergory being relatively easy I thought this season would go the same way, wrong. My first big race in March was OK but an 8th was not going to cut it with regards to getting to elite next year. When Slyv said he would join me in Expert this year to make the travel and waiting around a bit easier, Lets just say I thought I might be moving even further down the field .

I have been steadily building up to this block of three big races in May as one of my three peaks of "race" fitness this year, the course was a little flat for my liking but not too technical so pretty good. A new strategy was in order, looking at my past results a fast start was needed to avoid the 1 minute disadvantage I tend to put myself at with my normal routine.

Warm up went well, Gridded on the front row. Bang goes the gun and I put in a big effort to stay in the top 10-15 riders. Within 5 seconds Sylv is up next to me (about 15th or so). So far so good. The normal jostling and tussle as we zoom along the fireroad and up a little incle for about 700 metres. A bit of fuss as we enter the singletrack see Sylv and I get seperated and that was the last I saw of him, in my mind thinking he would be chasing hard to get back up to the lead group.

The first lap went by and I settled in to my on pace, picking riders off one by one. The lead group had formed of about 7-8 riders in train. All the usuals suspects. I could not believe that I they were still in sight. By lap 2 I was closing down on the group, as they would leave a section of singletrack I would enter, less than 1 minutes seperated us. Around the second lap Steve James (super quick Junior) Tore past me, I tried to grab his wheel but to no avail, he was too strong even for a quick tow. I guessed he would catch the front group and by the end of the 3rd lap he had. As I entered the arena the commentator announced that Steve james was on the front of the train of experts (7 of them) and towing them along at warp speed !. Great they all get a free ride to the finish. Not quite. The pace was a little fast for some and the group fractured, the top 3 stayed away, 1 Mechanical and 3 dropped. This was all the inspiration I needed, I caught what was left of the group, had a spot of luck with one going over the bars allowing me to get past. A gap opened and with a lap to go I rode hard ( picture snot, muscle rub and dust !) Myself and one other were aware that there was a rider chasing and it looked like we might get caught. He said "better we get 4th and 5th than 6th OK" I got his drift . The chaser did get back on, shortly after a large drop in (the most technical bit for me) there was a little power climb about 15 seconds long. I timed the catch/attack perfectly. I said to my partner in crime "if there was ever a time to go it is now" the chaser was just 5 metres behind . Up the hill my friend led as we crested the top round I went and off I shot, head down for the final half of the lap. I felt a little guilty as we had made a deal, but 4th looked better than 5th and he didn't seem that strong anymore. The final 4 Km were good nice and smooth I was totally committed. The sections of rooty singletrack really helped keep a gap over the riders on hardtails as I just kept pedalling while thay sort of bumped about alot, upsetting there rythm. 4th place well chuffed. As it happened matey held off the chaser and finished 5th so all fair.

May will be the making or the breaking of my season and goals, if I can get the top 5 finishes in the next couple of races then its all good, anything less than that and it will be a season on the brink of failure. Anything could happen in the next half hour

Until next time
Serge

[Marcus]

Great result Serge

We are proud, this is now minimum we will expect si get training.