.A big turn out meant 4 big groups on the road. The smallest had 8 in it (scratch group) starting 4.30mins behind the first, with the other two inbetween. I really thought I could be in trouble here, with an Elite and two 1st cats, George, and 3 other strong 2nd cats alongside me in the scratch group. Me and Mike(Paragon) looked at each other as if to say "Sh*t, this is going to be hard", and it was
.Out from the start, the pace was blistering. Straight into thru&off and we were stonking along at a serious speed. As it was the first lap, I daren't miss a turn, but I thought I might need to soon, it was really quick and my lungs were burning. I didn't miss a turn though and a realisation that my warmer weather summer form might finally be coming hit me
. Through Newdigate and on towards the drag through the trees, we caught our first glimpse of Richard and the 3rd group on the road, and before we new it we had caught them . Dave K said afterward that their group were doing 27mph, so we must have been doing over 30mph. Mental!It's usually nice to catch a group ahead, as more often than not you get a breather, sit in for a bit, before deciding on the next phase of the race, and whether to move up, stay put or whatever. But not this time. Straight through the group, in to Partridge lane and on with the pace. I got caught out slightly but made my way to mid bunch of the now swollen group before the first descent of the long back section of the course. We soon picked up Ghaleb Ilya and John in the 2nd group on the road, simetime on the 2nd lap.
It was lap 3 that all the action happened though. Adam and Jason Edwards broke away and it looked like a good move. I'd seen Adam ride away with another rider 2 weeks previous, and stay away, so I new this was dangerous. 2 and a bit hard laps had taken its toll on many of the other guys willingness to put in some hard graft and help close the gap that was now growing. I was feeling quite good and went to the front to help chase. A Meudon guy joined me and we pretty much took it in turns along the whole top section of Partridge Lane to first steady the gap and then start to close it. Then on the downhill setion more guys came through, the gap kept getting smaller until Adam and co realised they weren't going to make it and sat up.
We were now nearing the end of lap 3 and we picked up the lead group. This is where Ghaleb made a move up the outside up the hill near the finish. I thought he must be feeling good until he realised no one else was sprinting for the line and a fourth lap was indeed being raced.
George had made a couple of his trademark forages off the front, and when another couple of riders went across to him one time, Rich asked me "what do we do". But before we even got a chance to talk about it, other guys were pinging off the front, others were coming back, it was all action!
The usual slight lull on the last lap happened along the flat section after Newdigate and on to the first part of the drag. I was mid bunch but new I needed to be nearer the front as it would be almost impossible to move up on the back section. Using my momentum up the drag I slingshot myself up the outside and into about 10th - spot on
The down hill back section of the Newdigate course on the last lap is extremley tense. George, before the race, offered to get to the front and string it out, leading me out for a sprint if at all possible. Its so nervy though, with 60 riders trying to get near the front, making any sort of plan is just hoping. As it happened, Rich got to the front and rode off the front, gaining about 50-60metres. As we know, Rich can do this well, but there was still a long way to go. The big boys were now at the front chasing and Rich's attempt was nearly over. I deliberately stayed mid lane to get better drafting, whereas previously on this course I'd stayed out wide in the wind. Out wide uses more energy but does give a better chance of sprinting around guys at the finish, but I'd banked this time that the pace would be higher and gaps between riders bigger, meaning I could hopefully get out from where I was, or weave my way through. I got bloody stuck
. I wanted to start sprinting early from the bottom of the hill but I couldn't get out. Adam, Jason and another couple up front started to sprint and gained about 6-7metres. I was still stuck!!!!! Then, a gap. With half the hill still to go I knew I could make some inroads but probably 4th place would be best result. But I even surprised myself, I started to close the gap, going past one then another then Jason, then up to Adams wheel. I couldn't believe it, I thought I was going to pass him, but it wasn't to be. Adam found a litle bit more speed in his legs and pulled out another half a bike to win.I couldn't have been happier though. Another good load of points in the bag
Steve
