Hillingdon 17th April 2007

[Andrew G]

Congratulations Matt, how was the big H by the way.

4/J/W
1.JOHN COOLAHNA KINGSTON WHEELERS
2.HARRY BULSTRODE PRIVATE MEMBER
3. MARK BAXTER PRIVATE MEMBER
[size=150]4. MATT DAY ADDISCOMBE CC[/size]
5. ROBERT BORDI BEYOND MBC
6. BRIAN MCSHANE PRIVATE MEMBER
7. NICK BABINGTON READING CC
8. CHARLES CODRINGTON DULWICH
9 ROLAND KUSAY REDHILL CC
10. JAMES NORTHWAY MET POLICE CC

[img]http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n315/andrewgreen23/Chertsy%20MOD%20140407/03MeMatt.jpg[/img]

As recently seen at Chertsey

[Matthew Ives]

well done, Matt.
Excellent result.

[Matt Robbins]

Hey one better than you thought!!! Classy riding by MattD who was mixing it the whole race but kept a cool head for an excellent sprint...nice one!

[Stu Merckx Man]

nice one!

[Richard (Apples)]

Yes fantastic Mate ,well done . Now I know whose wheel to be on

[MattD]

I must admit I had the bit between my teeth at this one . The ride over from Liverpool Street prepares you well for the race itself - the adrenalin is already pumping, and I havnt even put my number on yet. Great ACC presence is a given now at these events , we even had 4 riders on the warm up with Sylv, Richard A , & Tim taking it in turns to compete with the bedlam through the market stalls in Southall !

Race started with a bit more spice than normal as there were 2 or 3 riders who were mixing it up at the front, which meant that more than other weeks there were a number of chase downs . My tactics for this race were to keep the powder dry for as long as possible , try out a sprint on the back straight mid race to prepare the legs for the finish , and make sure I was positioned to attach in the last few laps, ohhhh and have fun !

Well….. for the first time in a long-time the plan paid off. I decided to behave myself … most of the time ! , although I got a bit carried away with my practice sprint and ended off the front for a lap , looking nervously behind thinking “ you don’t expect me to stay in pain for this long do you “

As the race wound up over the last 5 laps I had noticed who some of the stronger riders were, and had made a mental note to ensure I didn’t let them get away too far. As the 3 rd lap announcement beckoned, i manoeuvred myself into the top 10 position, and kept saying to myself - don’t get engulfed with riders . Quite often before you know it you are in the middle of the throng of cyclists, not through lack of pace , but just because you’ve allowed someone to fill a space in front of you !

The last lap as always was a bit of a blur , but through perseverance managed top 5 into the entry to the bottom hairpin , then went back to 10th ish as the finishing straight loomed . Then it was head down , passed a few riders on the inside …but …..you are then confronted with the realisation that the finish is still nowhere in sight !!!.... In the past this is where I would loose my placing, but somehow I was able to maintain my form to the finish ( Sean - I think it may be partly due to the new Squadra ! )

Boy was I elated as I realised I had earnt some points … great feeling … can’t wait till next time !

[Matthew Ives]

3rd cat soon Matt

[Sylv]

Well done again Matt!

[ajay khandelwal]

Matt D ! Finally ! Congratulations. Big win with hands in the air a la our very own George Brent expected next week - remember to smile for the cameras !

[Toks]

Nice work Matt