Crits @ the Park #3

[Jonathan]

Myself and Tom turned up the the 3rd cat race, only about 25 people on the start line on a very windy (even for the cyclopark) day.

One rider broke off the front coming out of the first corner, he went off to take first position. Apparently he was a pro back in the 90's.

The rest of the bunch stuck together for the remainder of the race with a one paceline, 2 london dynamos and a lewis rider doing most of the work, I attempted a couple of attacks about 20-30 minutes in but couldn't make anything stick. With 3 laps to go Tom decided he didn't have the legs for a sprint so I was let off lead-out duties and started thinking about my own placing.

Final lap I attacked two corners after the downhill s-bend and got a gap of about 2-3 bike lengths, took the next corner into the wind and regretted the attack immediately. Still had a small lead of a couple of bike lengths and kicked again over the steep rise on the final drag, managed to hold onto second place until the final 20-30 meters where 4 guys overtook me.

So 6th position overall and my first points of the season, Tom came in 12-15th position.

Stayed around after to watch Ryan, Ant and Tim in the 4th cat race.

[Marek]

Well done Jonathan. Always really windy up there, who was the guy who went off the front, that is pretty strong to take on that course in the wind like that.

[Ant]

The winner of the 3rd Cats race was a beast! First name of Anthony according to the girl cheering him on. Well done Jon and Tom!

The 4ths was in interesting way to spend a windy Saturday afternoon. Messed up my warm up timing and was at the back on the start. People immediately getting dropped and gaps opened after the hairpin and into the windy back section. Hung on for 3 laps towards the back of the main bunch before the elastic snapped. No way back, as hard as I tried. Pretty much 45 mins of solo TT and caught and passed a few who had been shelled out of the pack, which made me feel slightly better! Stuck with one guy I caught for the last 2 laps and we got pulled up a lap early, as not to interfere with the bunch finish. 4 got away on the last lap or 2 and the main bunch consisted of maybe 20 guys, including Ryan who came in around 15th, good effort! Think Tim had a problem with his front wheel so not sure what the score was there.

Onwards and hopefully upwards!!

[Phil H]

GWF. Points not added to BC yet, but we're shaping up. [url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubpoints/?club_id=3360&year=2015&type=regional&rid=4]link[/url].

[Antloony]

Well chaps. Good results and write ups.

Ant, well done for sticking it out and keeping going. Must have been hard work.

[thomashansell]

It was a strong ride from Jon - it was my first cat 3 race and the average speed (24.2mph) was a bit much for me. Managed to stay with the front group the whole way but didn't have the legs to contest the sprint!

[Matt.H]

good riding lads, and well done Jon for points on the board. First of many I'm sure.