South Nutfield Handicap - 28th June '12

[Keith]

A two man breakaway in which the strongest rider won.

South Nutfield handicap. As it was such a pleasant evening, they decided to treat us to 7 laps of 10.1km (6.3 miles). Despite the glorious summer evening not a huge field. 35-40 riders? 4 groups with Ilija in the 1st, me in the 3rd and Steve "Gilbert" Broomfield in the Scratch.

My group of 7 worked consistently, though biding time until we were caught by the Scratch group. Once caught, pace was initially pretty quick, but then eased off pegging the lead group at 60 seconds.

Two to go and the lead group were just visible in the distance. Mulberry attacks on the hill under the M23. I decided to keep him company. We get a decent gap and soon catch the lead group, now all together. We tried going straight through, but it wasn't to be.

We bided our time until the next time up the hill & another attack. Again a decent gap and we set about working together agreeing to sort it out at the end.

So approaching the finish together and no sight of the chasing group. The strongest rider? Unfortunately that wasn't me. Well done Mulberry. That win still eludes me.

[Rogan]

I don't think I've seen a two man break get away in a handicap although several of Paul Hone's one man breaks!

Still a terrific result Keith and points bagged. Great stuff!

[Mulberry]

Cheers Keith it was good to get the break working with you and don't forget Special K was us up the road solo off the front for over 2 laps early on. I think it was 6 laps of 6m tho and not 7 which would have been a very long way for a handicap. PS according to Dom Clegg we're wiley old chaps

[Andrew G]

Well done, nice to see a breakaway winning. Nice bloke though Marcus is I'd have rather the result was switched. It will come soon Keith.

[-Adam-]

Good work chaps, unusual for a move such as this to stick these days, such is the current standard of riding in the peloton.

And good work by Special K too by the sounds of it, must have been the ginger beer!

[DavidKennett]

[quote="-Adam-"]And good work by Special K too by the sounds of it, must have been the ginger beer!

[Antloony]

Well done Keith, great effort.

The Shadows collecting good points on a regular basis now, one hand on the trophy already.

[Steve B]

Hey Keith good ride
While you were away, I kept thinking about how it was going to pan out between you at the end, and hoping it would be positive smile I would see after the finish. The win may have eluded you this time though, but I'm sure it won't be long in coming.

I saw you both go and for a split second I almost went to go too . No seriously guys, don't laugh too much . Oh alright then

Anyway, once I'd decided not to go , me and Mike(Paragon) sat in, obviously not wanting to help the bunch chase. Once they were out of sight we both then helped our group chase the front group/s, which we caught just before the climb for the last time.
The usual tense cagey final 10 minutes were now upon us, with everyone trying to get near the front. I got seriously boxed in up the final 1.5k drag, so had to wait till it all opened up enough to brake free and use my new found uphill/drag sprint confidence I have found this year. 3rd, certainly happy with that

Steve