Quite a low turn out this week, around mid 30s, so the groups were quite compact with roughly 7 riders in each of 5 groups. Me and Keith in the scratch group had to work hard with the other guys initially, to pick up the groups ahead on the road. Keith was looking strong as usual, as was the de Ver lad Harry Franklin. I was in line behind HF and had to work pretty hard each time to come around him when he didn't ease off while moving across to the inside. This was putting me in trouble on each rotation, so I canily shuffled positions first chance I got.
This race was certainly different from the last Newchapel race a few weeks back. Lots of mini attacks and attempted breakaways helped make it a very hard and fast race with Keith and Harry the main culprets. I did actually follow Keith on one of his excursions off the front (seriously
), mainly by accident. I followed as he hammered it around the top bend on the course and then realised he wasn't slowing up. We had a small gap but the other strong lads hadn't come with us and we soon got swallowed up again. Sorry Keith I messed that one up for you 
. It didn't matter though, he was off again shortly after and got a nice gap all on his own. There was only a couple of laps left now (or was it the last 
) so I sat in as my team buddy was up the road.It was all back together though for the final, and I switched my sprinters head on. I did make a mistake this week by being ever so slightly complacent going into the final straight. Maybe not complacent but maybe too confident. I was third wheel with still a long way to go, so I let a few riders come around me thinking I'd be in a better position that way. It slightly backfired though as I got boxed in a bit and I couldn't escape. The sprint had started and I wasn't near the front, I'd blown it. But its amazing how quickly it can change. A gap opened up allowing me to hit the gas and go. I think I passed about 5 or 6 riders to my left, but Harry was gone. In a split second of computing distances and speeds I realised I may still catch him. It was still touch and go as I saw the line approaching. I threw my bike forward and heard the shout of "sh*t" from the lad next to me. My bike throwing skills had won the day
I was told we averaged 27.5mph?
Steve
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