Day 2 and the course was based at Bletchingly, we would ride down toward the dog and duck pub then race 6 circuits of an 8 mile loop which was fairly flat with only really one real rise.
Then we would do 3 laps of a second loop which was much longer and went from Smallfields up Scotts Hill past Outwood Mill then up towards the dreaded Blechingly hill and back down to complete the circuit near Smallfiels.
The pace set off real hot again and around the first circuit I was doing good staying in the bunch and just holding on,
The pace was always going ballistic then easing off a bit, this really kept me on my toes and you really had to recover quick if you wanted to stay in the bunch.
The bunch was being driven hard by Gary Dodd and the Sigma Sport team who were protecting their yellow jersey man.
A break had gone up the road and it felt as if they weren't gonna be there long at that sort of pace we were going.
A couple of riders were shelled out the back early on, I'd really have to concentrate and give it some unless I would be joining them.
There was no mercy in the bunch at one point up the drag there was some air between me and the peloton
Oh no I thought so I really started to hammer it, the comissioners car came past but I kept it going and eventually got back on.
Onto the second circuit and this was much hillier and I knew I would be in a spot of bother soon so downed a couple of energy gel's.
then up the hill to Out wood and again the elastic stretched and snapped with me and one or two others, I had to grit my teeth and just try my best to get back on.
I was sprinting hard and could see them ahead but they were just staying the same distance, then to my relief I caught the cars and slingshotted past back on the group
On the next circuit I was hanging in there but taking one hell of a beating off thoes pesty Elite boy's, I couldn't manage to stay on up Bletchingly hill and Me and 3 others were in our own group.
We were taking turns but I was a little toasted to say the least, but eventually after 4 miles we finally caught them back up and jumped on, we realised why the pace had been so fast because they had just reeled back in the break
With 1 and a half laps to go the speed was awesome up Bletchingly hill and I couldn't hold it and I was out the back, luckily I was joined by another racer and we through and off'd it to share the work to the finish.
I thought I was weaker than him then suddenly up Scotts hill I dropped him , so now I was on my own for the last 3/4 of a lap to the finish, I kept my head down and just to get to the finish as quick as I could.
I was being cheered on by a few of the marshals and Dave Kennet which helped my moral and kept me smiling, I was relieved when I finished, I think most of the riders behind me that were dropped were pulled out by Keith so I was glad to ride the whole race to the finish.
Got back to the HQ for another nice massage and realised that with my preservation had moved up the GC to 22'nd.
I'm feeling good and looking forward to Goodwood tomorrow and best of all I didn't puncture so don't have to fix another lousy tub tonight