First h/cap of the year, and not sure what to expect. No 4th cats allowed to enter and the SL 3 day stage race at the weekend, so only 40 or so signed on, giving 5 groups. Representing the TG, Paul, Rogan, Matt and myself. Paul, myself, 4 Paceline RT’s and a few others headed off in the first group for 8 laps of the 3 mile circuit. After dropping one of the ladies it soon became clear the bulk of the work would be done by ACC and Paceline, no problem for Paul and myself, veterans of the TG
With the scratch group setting off just as we were completing the first lap I felt we had a good chance of staying away, even catching them! Over the next few laps we worked well with Paceline, with the remaining mainly sitting in. Then, just after starting the final lap, Stephen Harvey (Paceline) attacked and opened a small gap, I duly chased him down leaving Paul to counter. Unfortunately, the finish was into a head wind allowing the Paceline train to catch him. Surprising them, I managed to get a gap just as we went past Paul and held on to cross the line first, a happy rider. A great team performance.
Unfortunately Matt and Rogan weren’t so lucky, Matt suffering a tyre sidewall blow out and Rogan finishing in his group.
“So four @PacelineRT turned over by two @Addiscombe_CC... club chairman, is not going to be impressed!”