19th July Hillingdon 3rd & 4ths

[KeithK]

Right, no more last place for me. This race was going to be a much more realistic appraisal of form and no pointless attacking just cos I felt like it.....

As I lined up I saw Toks was already there and the race started good and fast. Two went clear so I chased and after a lap got on. Not long afterwards so did the bunch. Soon it Toks's turn and he was at the front or thereabouts most of the race. Later on four were away and I got across with two others but two of the guys in the move were not used to the through and off so lost all the rythm. One would go through and and while at the front would change down a gear so lost all momentum, everyone else having to swerve or brake and the other would swing off not by the width of a rider but by five or six feet. Leaving him unprotected and loosing the line, he really was all over the place. It wasn't long before we were shouting at each other. The only other rider willing to work from the bunch not in the group was Toks.

Again the race rejoined and after that Toks was either up the road or getting across to someone who was. Relentless and brilliant to watch. With a few laps to go I thought the worst Toks would get would be 4th. With two to go it like 1st or 2nd but the bunch would not let them go. On the last lap they were caught at the end of the back straight and his breakaway companion, another chap who had put in a strong effort the whole race through, contratulated Toks on a good ride. When it finished many others also said he deserved to win and I agreed.

I was at the back of the bunch and had a slow sprint out with Toks for last place. He was probably doing 6MPH and beat me by 1/2 a wheel as I was only do 4MPH. I couldn't lose to a nicer bloke, well done Toks it was a joy to be part of that race. Well, apart from the not winning and comming last again.

[Toks]

Oh blimin heck I'm getting tired of writing race reports where I don't feature in the top 3 let alone the top 10. So thats it, no more race reports unless I've got something of significance to write home about. Thanks for the kind words Keith at least no one can accuse us ACC guys of just 'sitting in' Half an hour essentially riding by yourself (last 7/8 laps) was great but once again nothing to show for it (caught just before the final bend ). Oh well at least my lift back home, Mark, grabbed 2nd spot...Well done Maria the pace in that women's race looked pretty fierce. See you all at Palace weather permitting .

[Steve B]

Tough luck Toks, that sounds soul destroying, but dont let it stop you doing exactly the same next time. Thats the way you race and thats the way you'll win, soon.

Hope to see you at Palace tomorrow, weather looks good

Steve

[-Adam-]

Tactics

[Toks]

[quote="-Adam-"]Tactics

[quote="Toks"][quote="-Adam-"]Tactics

[Michelle]

Well done chaps for such stirling efforts, and collective chins up. Won't be long now before a placement, I can feel it in my water...

[quote="Keith"][quote="Toks"][quote="-Adam-"]Tactics

[Toks]

[quote="-Adam-"]
Yep, that helps. Come out on a club run Toks and I'll give you a few pointers...