As the lone Addiscombe member at the start line, I was a bit apprehensive about the race, but as I looked around, there was Simon with a nervous smile on his face. It was his first race back after his crash. Good, 2 of us
And so with the heavens opening we set off, (clockwise) gingerly at first, until we all had confidence in the grippiness of the track. To be honest the wet track didn't seem to slow things up much.
The pace quickened then slowed a few times, but not much action going on really. I did a couple of turns on the front, but thought better of it quite quickly. After about 10 mins I got a funny sort of semi-cramp in my hamstrings, which I have had before but can't put my finger on the reason for it. This lasted 15 mins or so and then went away. Simon kept himself out of any possible danger towards the back until his confidence level rose.
I went for the first prime?, but couldn't get round the guy in front without totally burying myself (not a good idea) and as i backed off another guy came round us both for the win.
The rain had stopped and the track was drying out. The attacks were coming thick and fast now, but not getting anywhere with such a large field chasing everything down.
Spoke too soon. The sky went black, the heavens opened again, and the rain came down like you've never seen. Thunder was crashing above us and the whole track was little more than a river. Amongst the rain was slushy sleet and this was hurting my face and legs as we were speeding through it. I couldn't see a thing
This was the time that a three man breakaway, brokeaway. No one made a real effort to close the gap down this time, probably due to the fact that the three that did the closing down before, were now in the breakaway! I made an error in leading one effort to close them down but my legs were tiring and I needed to save them for the sprint.
The 60mins were now up and only 5 laps left. The breakaway trio were tantalisingly close but no one was brave enough at this late stage to sacrifice themselves for others.
2 laps to go and the pace picked up. I wasn't sure I could go with it but hung in. I couldn't see Simon and didn't know if he had made his way through the field. The track was still a river at the bottom corner. Would the tyres stick at this extra pace. The answer was yes and so the confidence was there to go for it. Down the back straight (the hill) for the last time and I was probably 12th or 13th. Not ideal but I was very tired and didn't have much left to give. Round the bottom bends ready for the sprint. Up the inside and I burried myself as hard as I could, legs and lungs burning to the max. Boy there were some good sprinters there. I picked up a few places coming in 9th for my first ever point.
Simon must have been close behind me as he came in 11th.
Onward and upward
Steve
