by Sylv » Wed May 26, 2010 12:11 pm
Cold!
As predicted strong winds and about 20 degrees less than Sunday. Had to go buy a hot drink to warm up. Lots of pom pom girls working extra to stay warm. Duffield on the mike. Pretty busy but you could still have a good view and walk around the course. Saw Matt D and his mates, Toks, Alan and Marek, plus other cycling acquaintances.
Race started late after a corporate race on singlespeed Boardman bike, that they were flogging afterwards for £300. Course, a simple rectangle - sounds simple, didn't look it. Newcomers Team Ireland looked like they were all on their personal bikes, and two of them, I think due to a crash, were shelled out within minutes. Another one finished at the back after having ridden 20 minutes on his own. Dave Clarke looked like he wasn't confident holding wheels closely, and he was duly dropped towards the end and also finished alone. It stayed together for a while, before a big break of about 15 looked decisive, but that was somwhow brought back. With laps to go two got away, a Sigma and I think Yanto Barker, with the bunch split and all lined up single file. All came together on last lap and Gibb won the sprint, with Rapha bagging best team. One of Gibb's young team mate spent the next ten minutes lying on the floor with medics around him looking concerned. A few others were trying to puke.