Hillingdon 17th Jan 09 4th cat

[Antloony]

Well what a difference a week makes weather wise, last week was -3 and snow on the ground, this week 10 degrees and you could see the circuit bathed in glorious sunshine. Rolled up with 15 minutes to spare due to getting held up in traffic after an accident near Heathrow. My warm up consisted of half a mars bar, a can of coke and 2 laps before taking my place for the start watched by Mrs Loony.

Race got off to a slow start except for one rider who went for an early break straight from the gun and soon had a reasonable gap over the field despite the horrid head wind that always seems to be there on the back straight. After a few thru and off's in the group we pulled him back and the pace settled down again. I stuck to the advice drummed into me by Adam and just stayed close to the front but didn't waste any energy exposing myself to the wind. .

Halfway through the race my race preparations came back to haunt me and the coke and mars bar started to play up in my belly and made me feel a little unwell I was in two minds whether to call it a day and pull over but I just shelltered in the group, let out one almighty burp and carried on regardless.

The 5 laps to go board soon came up, I sat there mulling over what to do....an early break maybe at 2 laps to go....sit in till the last lap and try and find a wheel to follow for the sprint...... or just attack once off the back straight and try and win from the front.

I decided on the latter and with roughly a third of a lap left opened up the taps and let rip (with my legs, not with my dodgy belly). I seemed to take the field by suprise and opened up a small gap but just kept my head down and just kept going to the finish line, punched the air in celebration and shouted a huge 'YES' as I took the flag for a well deserved win

[img]http://i41.tinypic.com/e88yux.jpg[/img]

I knew I had a win in me, was just a matter of time and getting my tactics right on the day. I know its only a 4th cat race but it makes all the hard work I've done on the bike in the last few weeks well worth the effort. Thanks to those who gave me advice and thanks to Mrs Loony for taking a great pic.

[-Adam-]

Well done Ant, sounds like you rode a smarter race this week. Nice one.

Now, don't let it go to your head. Like you say, you knew you had it in you so if you keep racing smart, you'll be winning more races before you know it.

Are they still keeping riders together in 4th cat races, even if they have the points for 3rd cat again this year? If they are, there's no reason why you can't win again. But beware, they'll no who you are now, so you'll have to be even more canny.

Anyway, enjoy the feeling, it doesn't last long. Oh, and I hope you feel guilty for blagging your way into the ACC 'B' race last september now, you ain't ever gonna have that luxury again!!

Chapeau.

[Antloony]

[quote="-Adam-"]Are they still keeping riders together in 4th cat races, even if they have the points for 3rd cat again this year? If they are, there's no reason why you can't win again. But beware, they'll no who you are now, so you'll have to be even more canny.

[-Adam-]

Oh next time, do your jersey up!!

[Sylv]

Awesome man!

Looks like the Dynamo with the aero wheels was working hard to try catch you

[Keith]

Nice one Ant. Well done.

With the Imperial Winter Series, I believe you get moved up to the E123 race if you win. If you get the 10 points to become a 3rd cat without a win, they keep you racing with the 4ths.

[Keith]

From the Imperial website:

Note to 4th cats. .... In this series only the weekly race winner will be moved up to the 2&3 cat race ...

[Antloony]

Thanks guys.

Cheers for that Keith, didn't realise that, I asked another guy and he seemed to think you could race the whole series regardless of your own personal results.

3rd cat here we come then.

[Dominic]

Fanastic!!! Well done Ant

[Marek]

Nice one, sticking in with the faster guys on the club runs has paid off, now the real fun starts.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Stu Merckx Man]

i knew you should win at hillingdon ant. you kick our arses enough in the sprint for charlswood!

[Paul H]

Well done - keep up the chaingangs and you will be winning 3rd Cat races as well.

[Antloony]

[size=150]1st 132 Antony Leeson Addiscombe CC 4[/size]
2nd 27 Charlie Pearch London Dynamo/Cyclefit 4
3rd 83 Jai Watson Dulwich Paragon CC 4
4th 66 Andrew Bryson Sotonia 4
5th 64 Nick Cribb private member 4
6th 43 Mark Chan Dulwich Paragon CC 4
7th 68 David Fong private member 4
8th 25 Martin Sigrist Newbury RC 4
9th 16 Thomas Sutherland Twickenham Cycling Club 4
10th 139 Matthew Theobalds Dulwich Paragon CC 4
11th 69 Mark Heyward-Chaplin London Dynamo/Cyclefit 4
12th 15 Joe Harris Reading CC 4
13th 121 Vincent Leon Twickenham CC 4
14th 18 Phil Wege Amersham RCC 4
15th 134 Stuart Hamilton London Dynamo/Cyclefit 4
16th 97 Maryka Sennema Kingston Wheelers CC 4W
17th 138 Paul Keeping private member 4
18th 91 Gavin Mitchell Twickenham CC 4J
19th 98 Bruce English Lewes Wanderers CC 4
20th 58 Richard Keeping Team Quest 4J
21st 49 Philip Keen Cycle Club Ashwell 4
22nd 72 Tim Childs Westerley CC 4
23rd 17 Donald Lance Woodman Willesden Cycling Club 4
24th 33 Lionel Birnie Gregarios Superclub Ciclista 4
25th 119 Jason Snell Thames Turbo 4
26th 13 Martin Porter Thames Velo 4
27th 122 Tom Newman Westerley CC 4
28th 145 Matthew Myers Optima 4J
29th 126 George Edwards Kingston Wheelers CC 4
30th 137 Adam White Reading CC 4
31st 20 Michael Widera Hounslow & District Wheelers 4
32nd 67 Patrick Weston North Devon Wheelers 4
33rd 117 James Curry British Airways CC 4
34th 65 Stephen Sibley Amersham RCC 4
35th 24 Moray Cooke 4

[Serge]

Top result Ant, well done. What a difference a bit of sunshine can make ( oh and the right mental attitude ). We were beaten before we had started last time because of the weather, thats my story and Im sticking to it.

Well done again.

[Michelle]

Well done Ant, a good result.