A rider of the first category

[-Adam-]

Well, as of today, that's what I am.

As you know I was within touching distance of my 1st cat licence after having won some races two weekends ago... So today there was a plan, win and get promoted. And it very nearly came off.

MoD Chertsey was a gusty and cold place to be this morning, but as it is pretty much my most local race I thought I ought to get down there and see what I could do. The Elite races at Chertesey are awarded points under Band 3, which means 30 for the win, 25 for 2nd and 21 for 3rd. Coming 4th would have meant 17 points, I needed 19. So It was make the podium or remain 2nd cat.

The race started off pretty fast, I was only too aware of the fact that the last few races there have been decided by breaks, and early ones too. So I was right up there from lap 2. And right off the front too, with Andy Davies and Guy Powdrill. We worked well together as we have all raced together a lot this year. Although we spent a good 4-5 laps off the front it was going to be difficult to hold off the strong field behind from so far out with such a small group. While names such as Higham, Smith, Hoy, Wilson, Atkins, Sybrandy and Delahunty could still smell my ebrocation, there was no chance for us to stay out there. We three all knew this so only rode at about 80% to try to tempt others across. No luck, and soon the bunch was complete again.

There was then a lot of jumping around ensuring anyone who didn't have the legs was firmly at the back. The wind on the home straight was phenomenally strong, the average speed for the race was the slowest I have seen all year there, a good indicator of the wind as we were all still riding pretty hard! Eventually Martin Smith and Wouter Sybrandy (both Elite) worked there way off the front. About two laps later Ben Wilson instigated the bridge so John HA, Matt Seaton, Lewis Atkins and myself formed a group of 5 and duly got across. But not after a hard chase. Eventually we made contact and after a few had a brief bit of respite we continued on and clicked as a group and before long the chasers were long out of sight. Only one group tried to get across, but since it contained Justin Hoy (Elite, Felt Racing, and one of the fastest sprinters in the South), there was a definate surge of speed by our group to ensure they didn't make contact.

We continued to work well as a group right up until 2 laps to go, by which time we had been away for 8 laps already, meaning a total break of 20 (of 50) miles. The comedy came when we caught the 3rds as they had 2 laps to go, then got passed by them all as they wound it up on their final lap!! Haha. But as always Keith Butler did an excellent job ensuring we could pass safely while they were going slow, so as to not negate our advantage. Top man.

After the 3rds were out the way we continued on and nearly lapped what was left of the main bunch as we hit two to go!! But as we started to look at one another we slowed quite a bit. So my attention turned not to the podium, but to how I could win... It seemed no one was really much stronger than anyone else, save for Matt who was clearly suffering. So I didn't think it was worth trying to attack from far out. But when Ben Wilson attacked on the last lap I made damn sure I went with him, he's beaten me enough this year, and today it was pay back time!! But this didn't work and we were all pretty much together as we hit the home straight. After much track style weaving around eventually Martin Smith (Masters National Champion), started the sprint from a massively long way out, maybe 400m! As a result I hesitated to react, but when Lewis Atkins went I immediately jumped on his wheel... This was to be probably the finest sprint of my season. I got passed Lewis without too much difficulty, as he wasn't gaining on Martin, and a got my shoulders down and went flat out. I was aware no one was close behind me so I purely concentrated on making headway. I was gaining on Martin all the time but as we got to about 25m to go I just started to run out of steam and just crossed the line in 2nd, about a bike length behind.

I didn't know what to think, I was disappointed not to win, but excited to make 1st cat. Almost bitter sweet. But before I knew it I was along side Martin congratulating him on what was a fine ride, he never looked pained in the break at all, and his sprint was awesome. So a worthy winner.

So there it is, the road to 1st cat is complete.

(provisional result)

1st Martin Smith (E)
2nd Adam Cotterell (2nd, now 1st!!)
3rd Lewis Atkins (1st going on Elite)
4th Wouter Sybrandy (E)
5th John HA (Also promoted to 1st today!)
6th Matt Seaton (1)
7th Ben Wilson (1)

With the the chasers at about 2 mins, and the remainder of bunch at ... who knows, more like 5 mins!

So, 2009 is the road to Elite and hopefully the continent...

Cheers,

Adam

[Antloony]

Congrats Adam, well deserved too. The race win will come in time, just sit back now and relax in the glow of being a 1st.

[kieran]

congrats Adam, good idea to go for it while it was within reach this season.

[Keith]

Awesome. Well done Adam.

[Michelle]

I think you have turned into a proper good athlete now.

Congratulations, Adam, it is a well deserved result; [size=150]third cat to first in one season [/size]doesn't come to too many.

[Robh]

Well done and all the best for next season!

[Sylv]

Starting to speak about yourself at the third person Adam

Well done - guess it makes sense to start as 1st next year if you do intend to visit the continent.

Just wondering, with all the current talks on the training forum - was there a training plan by you never to join the fast clubrun over the winter/spring? (I thought it was just cos you wanted to bag the sprint )?

[Toks]

[quote="-Adam-"] [size=150]So today there was a plan, win and get promoted.[/size]

[MattI]

[quote]Just wondering, with all the current talks on the training forum - was there a training plan by you never to join the fast clubrun over the winter/spring?

[carl f]

Adam
Fantastic!,huge congrats to you....
So,you will be elite earlier than thought eh?
Cheers
Carl

[Alan M]

Well done Adam

Alan

[Andrew G]

Well done Adam, another top result.

[George]

Top one Adam, you've really impressed me this year with your results. Not only have you lived up to the hype but exceeded all the expectations, from Charlwood sign sprinter to 1st cat racer is one hell of a leap and I wish you al the best in your road racing career.

I bet when anyone now sees you in the break or coming into a sprint finish they are a little concerned to say the least. Just think what you could achieve if you were in a team working together in a road race, say the NP or SS.

Well done Adam ACC 2nd claim road racer of the year indeed.

[quote="Sylv"]Just wondering, with all the current talks on the training forum - was there a training plan by you never to join the fast clubrun over the winter/spring? (I thought it was just cos you wanted to bag the sprint )?

[MattI]

[quote]But bring it on, I can't wait to start getting my ass kicked in every race I ride! Particularly in Belgium...