The race was held at Sherwood pines forest near Mansfield. Its a flat course and with no significant climbs or technical sections it kinda suited me and it didn't.
I was pleased to find that I had been gridded as the first Sport rider which meant I did not have to battle through what was about 60 others.
Anyway down to business. The warm up on the turbo was good and all seemed well, On the start line and I have the normal jittery belly as I look around at all the bling bikes and fast looking people
. The gun goes and I get a little caught up with a chap I know whom cant clip into his pedal. This sends me from the front back into about 12th. We all plow onto the 1km of fireroad that leads up to the first single track section. The front 6 riders form a group and start to pull away a little, myself and 5 riders form the next group. After just 1km the rest of the field is spread out pretty well.Through the single track and I talk to and try to apply some light pressure/encouragement in the form of "PUSH PUSH PUSH" , "DONT LET THEM GET AWAY" to other riders. Eventually 4 of us started to pick up the riders from the front 6 whom had gone out a little too fast. By the second lap just myself and 1 other rider remained and I let him tow me round for 7km's (thanks whoever you are
). A rider from team Wiggle, Matt page I think was charging to get across to us and looked really strong so I decided it was time to make my move. I was currently in about 5th and with 2 laps to go kicked hard as we came out of the singletrack and onto a fireroad climb, he was cooked so I put a 40 metre gap on him and used some Junior riders in the next section of singletrack to tow me some more. I jump from one group to another for most of the 3rd lap, using experts, juniors and other sport riders to help me conserve a little for the final lap. This worked a treat (Thanks Addiscombe for teaching me the value of Drafting, as I would not have done this before !). Into the fianl lap and 3rd and 4th were with me, I followed them through the twisty bits and recovered a little. With 6km to go and the podium in my sights I went for it, The Edinburgh RT rider and another guy in yellow could not hold my wheel and drifted away never to be seen again. I tried to relax into my riding through the singletrack with no wheel to follow (this being one of my weak points). Now was not the time for a silly mistake. I caught a Junior rider whom I know (Max Filleul) and together we charged on and consolidated our lead over the chasing riders. Crossing the line in 3rd.
I was chuffed as 2nd placed Martin Delves is flying at the moment and was always going to be hard to beat and you never know who is going to be on form at these things.
Have not seen the lap times yet but all in all a good day at the office: Few BCF points, Proved Martin delves can be caught, oh and did not get in the way of any super fast elite riders.
Bring on Dalby round 2 with some hills
and leave the others in your wake
