My first round this year. Was looking forward to it a lot. Am still not doing any real focused training, but ridden and raced myself into a certain degree of fitness. Got there as early as I possibly could (6.10pm) in order to assure myself a spot on the start line, Rob and Carl were in the 3/4, but some of us like Steve and Adam weren’t that lucky and got turned away, I felt real bad for them. Upon signing on I saw that the number above mine had been reserved for a certain Jo Rowsell, yes her of World level track fame, and who used to ride with us in the 3/4 race a few years back. It was nice to have a bit of sun still shining on the grass as it was so early, it soon got chilly though. The ACC marshals soon turned up and were assigned to their role by Toks (and Amy).
So because of the limit I think there were only 22 of us in the E12. It started quite fast and after a few laps the average speed was over 41. Jake Martin was having digs at the front, but everyone was still fresh. I think it was soon enough that Felix English (yes, him of the Chris Hoy upset) shot off solo and spent most of the race this way, very impressive. I was feeling fine until I got myself at the front when it all became a little harder. I was trying to get in a break. The one that stuck was when Ian Paine shot off on the bottom of the climb, to join Felix, I did try my hardest as I was at the front and following, but just couldn’t bridge, Sam Humpheson was a little ahead of me and had to give up too.
The Dynamos were now easing off at the front with their man in the break. Jake had a good rest then managed to jump across on his own, he beat Tony Gibb you know, and after that Hugo Humphrey joined him. From then on I found myself at the front more often than I’d wished, first to try and keep the pace reasonably high, then having a few attacks just before the hairpin after the finish line, where I can get a 10m gap if I take it nice and fast. Trouble is I don't have the weight to carry it on the downhill. So were always brought back. Guy Powdrill managed to jump away on one of the final laps with one Sigma I think, but next thing we knew they were both down at the bottom corner, him not looking best pleased and with ripped shorts, hope it’s ok.
So lining up for a sprint for 6th, I took the wheel of an In Gear rider which proved a good choice, though I did get worried when he launched himself halfway up the climb, but I stuck to it, and almost managed to come past on the line. I think 7th is my best result. Thanks again to all the nice people of Addiscombe for coming, and see you next week (bright and early).
Sorry - normal service resumes next week with Steve's over-enthusiastic reports full of
2 Felix English SIS E
gap
2 10 Ian Paine London Dynamo 1
gap
3 4 Jake Martin Le Col Pendragon 1
4 1 Hugo Humphreys Mosquito Bikes/LondonCycleSport
5 3 Stuart Spies London Dynamo 2
gap
6 22 Martin Miles InGear RT 2
7 8 Sylvain Garde Addiscombe CC 2
8 18 Anjan Planking Dulwich Paragon 2
9 16 Sam Humpheson Look Mum No Hands 2
10 19 Paul Sewell Bigfoot CC 2
11 6 Steve Salmon Bigfoot CC -
12 13 James Mickleburgh London Dynamo 2
13 17 Ben Jacobs London Dynamo 2
14 15 Craig Chappell East London Velo 2
[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/images/stories/cp20112rep/felix.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/images/stories/cp20112rep/ebunch.jpg[/img]