SL Easter 3-day - 1/2/3

[Sylv]

STAGE 1

Had bad traffic and works/congestion on the A3 this morning so got to Rake a bit later than expected, missed out Andy and cos he didn’t have his phone didn’t hear about his misfortune until after my race - bad luck Andy. Did see the podium though and was disappointed not to see you in the top 3

Had seen the course on Googleearth and mapmyride with its profile so knew roughly what to expect- long straight tree-covered roman roads, and a mother of a climb to the finish. A big field with some strong looking riders and nice kit. Lots of alloy rims due to the weather but I am confident in the braking ability of my Shimano carbons As expected I was to don race number #1 – it could only go downhill from there ..

Pace was pretty hot and I was conscious about trying not to waste too much unnecessary energy (here here) – I had to burn a few matches though. The climb itself was hard, but it was the kick required after it, as you crested the top and went down the hill, that did it for me. Couple times I lost wheels there and had to dig really hard to get back on. After that I made sure I was right behind someone as we reached the top. Then you got onto the dual carriageway drag and that was hard too, the pace always picked up there. Once I was last wheel and lost contact, I had to totally bury myself to get back on, as it looked like this could split the bunch in two. Made it – just, only for the back of the bunch to catch up a minute or so later.

There was an early break of a handful (or less) that quickly got over a minute on us, but that got brought back later (not sure when). Another time I followed a Sigma (Jerone or Andy Betts?) and Wildside rider in an effort to bridge back to a 10-man attack, we did that from the start of the DC to the bottom corner of the course – a long way. Sigma was clearly stronger but I think he was happy to have us to give him a bit of a breather. That was another costly match, but i recovered quickly.

We joined that group and got into a through and off, which worked well until the climb. There were some strong Dynamos in there, AW Cycles, Pendragon, Agisko, Wildside, Dan Santoni, Henry Furniss (man he's strong) Ben Wilson and the Paragon boys. Later on though we were brought back somehow, with now over 2h of racing. The baby food was nice, with 120gm I was expecting to get two feeds out of it, but it was so nice it went down in a single gulp. Had this and two gels.

Last couple laps I tried to rest a bit without slipping too far backwards. Final lap Steve Calland attacked halfway through and was followed by one, but were brought back. Coming towards the climb I think a Sigma attacked solo, or was it a Dynamo, couldn’t quite see. Anyway now coming to the final climb, it was so steep and slow there was no point in hiding behind someone, so I made my way towards the first few places. I was expecting the pace to go bonkers this time up, but it wasn’t all that much worse than the previous times, I think most people were at the max pretty much every time up it – I had noticed some were always going backwards so made a point not to be anywhere near them.

The legs could feel it though, I got passed by a few riders, and then you had to kick some more past the top, downhill into the sprint, I was neck to neck with another rider on my left then someone else came to play on the right, I am not even sure who got it but I ended up [size=85]7th[/size] so was quite happy about that.

Dynamo got the win there too (think it was Richard Hoult) and Douglas Dewey second place.

Onto tomorrow .. a course lending itself to breaks it seems but i'm sure the Dynamos will be covering all of them ..

April 11, 2009 - CC Basingstoke - Milland Valley -
Sigma Sport Easter 3 Day Stage 1 - 1/2/3 - 68 miles

1 Richard Hoult London Dynamo 1 45 02:51:37
2 Douglas Dewey Pendragon Kalas 1 57 02:51:39
3 David Sinclair GWR Team 1 30 02:51:48
4 Rob Enslin awcycles.co.uk 1 6 02:51:50
5 Lee Smith agiskoviner.com 1 4 02:51:50
6 Sam Allen awcycles.co.uk 2J 9 02:51:50
7 Sylvain Garde Addiscombe CC 2 1 02:51:50
8 Warren Jesse Felt Racing 1 26 02:51:50
9 Ian Taylor NFM Racing Team 1 50 02:51:50
10 Chris Prior agiskoviner.com 1 2 02:51:50
11 Steve Calland Norwood Paragon CC 1 51 02:51:54
12 Conor Dunne Hemel Hempstead CC 2J 32 02:51:54
13 Daniele Santoni Pearson Cycles 1 54 02:51:54
14 Matthew Miles Wildside 707 RT 2V 78 02:51:54
15 Andy Betts Sigma Sport RT 1 81 02:51:54
16 Jerone Walters Sigma Sport RT 1 63 02:51:54
17 Matthew Ewings Pendragon Kalas 1 56 02:51:54
18 Henry Furniss WyndyMilla 1 80 02:51:54
19 Dan Ahearn DHCyclesport.co.uk 2 16 02:52:00
20 Shane Pope Swindon RC 3 67 02:52:00
21 Jaco Ehlers In-Gear Development Squad 2 34 02:52:02
22 Marcus Brueton Norwood Paragon CC 2 82 02:52:04
23 Adam Wojtkiewicz Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey 2 11 02:52:04
24 Crispin Doyle Swindon RC 3 68 02:52:04
25 Chris Spence Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey 1 12 02:52:04
26 Mark Perry Dulwich Paragon CC 2 20 02:52:04
27 Richard Tanguy Pendragon Kalas 1 55 02:52:04
28 Graeme Rose Wildside 707 RT 3 76 02:52:04
29 Joe Hemmant London Dynamo 2 43 02:52:11
30 Tom Hemmant London Dynamo 1 48 02:52:11
31 Daniel Felstead Dulwich Paragon CC 2 18 02:52:11
32 James Hawkins Cambridge University CC 2 14 02:52:11
33 Toby Roberts Team Toachim 2 70 02:52:11
34 Luke Wallis Kingston Wheelers 3 38 02:52:11
35 Thomas Crouch Felt Racing 2 27 02:52:15
36 Stephen Walkling Velocity Bikes CC 2V 75 02:52:15
37 Sam Humpheson London Dynamo 1 47 02:52:15
38 Mark Sussex Wildside 707 RT 2V 79 02:52:15
39 Sam Redding GWR Team 2J 31 02:52:15
40 Llewellyn Kinch GWR Team 2 29 02:52:15
41 Ben Wilson Solihull CC 1 65 02:52:22
42 Daniel Davies Sabath Claytan 1 59 02:52:22
43 Ian Legg Owen Cycles 1 93 02:52:30
44 Richard Simmonds London Dynamo 2 46 02:52:30
45 Toby Neave Southdown Velo 1 64 02:55:00
46 Stephen Dring Team Echelon 2 69 02:55:15
47 David Creeggan VC Meudon 1 92 02:56:20
48 John Nye Pendragon Kalas 1 91 02:56:20
49 Richard Mason Fit-For 1 28 03:00:53
50 Warrick Spence Cyclefit RT 1 15 03:05:32
51 Andy Duff Swindon RC 3 66 03:07:27
52 Daniel Clark Private Member 2 60 03:09:40
53 Simon Berogna Velocity Bikes CC 3 74 03:09:40
54 Gonzalo Rodriguez East London Velo 3 24 03:12:15
55 Vincent Halpern awcycles.co.uk 1 7 03:12:15
56 David Streule London Dynamo 2 41 02:57:55
57 Cameron Austin London Dynamo 3 40 02:59:48
58 Kevin Knox Dulwich Paragon CC 1V 22 02:59:58
59 David Kennett Norwood Paragon CC 2V 52 02:59:58
60 David Barnes East London Velo 2 23 03:01:08
61 Tim Lawn Kingston Wheelers 3V 39 03:02:02
62 Christopher Seviour Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey 2 13 03:02:52
63 Doug Baldock In-Gear Development Squad 2 35 03:02:52
64 James Beaumont Kingston Wheelers 2 37 03:07:33
65 Alex Peterson awcycles.co.uk 1 8 03:08:05
66 Neil Cooper awcycles.co.uk 2 10 03:08:23
67 Richard Newey agiskoviner.com 2V 5 03:08:43
68 Dan Staite Python RT 1 61 03:08:43
69 Darrell Pembroke agiskoviner.com 1 3 03:08:43
70 Paul Holdsworth Hounslow & District 1V 83 03:08:43
71 Jason Salter In-Gear Development Squad 2V 33 03:14:22
72 Justin Callaway DHCyclesport.co.uk 2 17 03:13:45
73 Peter Wager VC Meudon 1 71 03:13:45
74 James Makepeace Wildside 707 RT 2 77 03:14:27
75 Martin Garratt London Dynamo 3 44 03:16:15
76 Julian Bray Dulwich Paragon CC 2V 19 03:20:00
dnf Phil Jones Dulwich Paragon CC 2 21
dnf Ian Paine London Dynamo 1 42
dnf Andrew Cook Manx Viking Wheelers 2 49
dnf Chris Peden Velocity Bikes CC 3 73
dns Adam Currie Kingston Wheelers 3 36
dns Simon Breakwell Rapha Condor Club 2 62

[Andrew G]

Top stuff Sylv, sounds like you had a great race being where it matters which is a damn site harder than you make it sound. I can't believe you were eating baby food though .

[Paul H]

7th is pretty impressive for a 1st cat race. Good luck tomorrow and watch those matches.

[Michelle]

Thats awsome Sylv, bluddy well done!

[Toks]

Fcuking Awesome bro, I'm loving you right now but don't tell anyone

[Sylv]

A'm feelin' the love

[Sylv]

STAGE 2

Felt ok this morning, head better than yesterday (the good thing is I forget all about it while the race is on), still a bit nervous (about losing places on GC) but more confident (about being able to crack a top ten finish).

Saw Andy back at the HQ, with a face like a miner, and the news about his mechanical of the day. Off we went at 1.30 onto a 7 mile circuit, rolling with a three-part hill, the first part of which leading to the finish line, some crazy fast downhills passing in small villages, a little more climbing, more crazy fast 46mph twisty downhill on a main road, great fun but it was so narrow it would have felt safer on a closed road, and then through some rolling lanes. A lot less straightforward than Milland.

I didn’t really fancy being part of a break today and watched a small one go early, they did well and it was a long while till they were brought back. I stayed mostly in the top 20-30 but was not so close to the front so didn’t get first seats to the action that was unfolding. Oh well there was the one time when I came to the front to chase a small group, with no-one willing to come through forcing me to do a long turn. Then Ian Paine came through and I sat on his wheel for what must have been half a lap, still no-one coming through. With my previous effort I could just about hold his wheel (should probably have slipped back a bit), I told him he should try and go for the full lap

This led us to the big climbs and I was pretty cooked and getting a bit worried. But it went ok and I eased myself backwards for a bit of a breather. Credit to the yellow jersey he was working hard in the second part of the race, so were Marcus and Steve (and Dave a little later). The green jersey (and second place) was also near the front, I could swear I saw him on the side of the road on the start of the last lap, but was there for the sprint so he must have worked hard to get back on. Oh and I saw someone snapping their carbon seatpost when getting back in the saddle.

Like yesterday, I had a moment about ¾ of the way when I was starting to feel tired, and feeling that I would be happy enough finishing safely in the bunch. Every time we went up the climbs it felt harder, and I was glad I’d opted to do them all in the small ring. The pace was hot on the last two laps, everyone fighting for position on the narrow downhill – not for the faint of heart. I couldn’t believe that out of my two 750ml bottles I’d only drank one and the other one was still full, so before the final climb I did the unthinkable – I chucked it in the grass – oh the shame (I did pick it up later though) but still I reckon it made a difference.

This time there was no small ring it was big ring all the way, I was well positioned when we got onto the steepest part, the climb was agony, on the wet road my rear wheel was slipping sideways, hell my front wheel was slipping sideways! Then there was a 50m drag which was horrible. Dave had worked for Steve who got the win by a 2 sec margin, I got 7th again, inches ahead of the yellow jersey, and with the same time as the 5 others behind Steve (and quite a few behind me, although there was a bit of a gap).

I don’t know what this will do to the GC for me but I reckon I can’t have moved back. Not sure. Sorry people but I'm quite glad about the way the weather's turned out so far this long weekend (=sh1t), at least there is no regretting not making the most of an easy day in the sun, as half the time I'm resting indoors and the other half either driving or racing with my head down.

What I’m looking forward to now:
- A beer after tomorrow’s race
- Chilham with team ACC next week

Tomorrow should be good - one small problem though, I have ran out of baby food. Oh and Madame Tony has just lost half of her clientele all of a sudden

[Toks]

Another excellent ride Sylv Chapeau. I think you're now comfortably ACC's best Road Racer this season

[Marek]

[quote="Toks"]Another excellent ride Sylv Chapeau. I think you're now comfortably ACC's best Road Racer this season

[Michelle]

I am really chuffed for you Sylv, you have earned it. This is brilliant news!

Good luck tomorrow!

[Serge]

Great results Sylv.
Good luck for tomorrow. Go for it

[Keith]

Flip-in-eck, Sylv. Well done.

[Antloony]

Top banana...now just do a Boonen on them tomorrow.

[Stu Merckx Man]

thats amazing sylv well done mate!!!!!

[Sylv]

April 11-13, 2009 - Sigma Sport Easter 3 Day Overall GC - 1/2/3 after stage 2

Pos Name Club/Team Cat Race # Time
1 Richard Hoult London Dynamo 1 45 05:32:34 @ 00:00:00
2 Steve Calland Norwood Paragon CC 1 51 05:32:49 @ 00:00:15
3 Douglas Dewey Pendragon Kalas 1 57 05:32:56 @ 00:00:22
4 David Sinclair GWR Team 1 30 05:33:05 @ 00:00:31
5 Sylvain Garde Addiscombe CC 2 1 05:33:17 @ 00:00:43
6 Ian Taylor NFM Racing Team 1 50 05:33:17 @ 00:00:43
7 Matthew Miles Wildside 707 RT 2V 78 05:33:21 @ 00:00:47
8 Matthew Ewings Pendragon Kalas 1 56 05:33:21 @ 00:00:47
9 Lee Smith agiskoviner.com 1 4 05:33:27 @ 00:00:53
10 Rob Enslin awcycles.co.uk 1 6 05:33:27 @ 00:00:53
11 Dan Ahearn DHCyclesport.co.uk 2 16 05:33:27 @ 00:00:53
12 Warren Jesse Felt Racing 1 26 05:33:27 @ 00:00:53
13 Sam Allen awcycles.co.uk 2J 9 05:33:27 @ 00:00:53
14 Adam Wojtkiewicz Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey 2 11 05:33:31 @ 00:00:57
15 Henry Furniss WyndyMilla 1 80 05:33:31 @ 00:00:57
16 Daniele Santoni Pearson Cycles 1 54 05:33:31 @ 00:00:57
17 Jerone Walters Sigma Sport RT 1 63 05:33:31 @ 00:00:57
18 Andy Betts Sigma Sport RT 1 81 05:33:31 @ 00:00:57
19 Conor Dunne Hemel Hempstead CC 2J 32 05:33:38 @ 00:01:04
20 Jaco Ehlers In-Gear Development Squad 2 34 05:33:39 @ 00:01:05
21 Graeme Rose Wildside 707 RT 3 76 05:33:41 @ 00:01:07
22 Richard Simmonds London Dynamo 2 46 05:33:42 @ 00:01:08
23 Shane Pope Swindon RC 3 67 05:33:46 @ 00:01:12
24 Joe Hemmant London Dynamo 2 43 05:33:48 @ 00:01:14
25 Daniel Felstead Dulwich Paragon CC 2 18 05:33:48 @ 00:01:14
26 Toby Roberts Team Toachim 2 70 05:33:48 @ 00:01:14
27 Luke Wallis Kingston Wheelers 3 38 05:33:48 @ 00:01:14
28 Mark Perry Dulwich Paragon CC 2 20 05:33:50 @ 00:01:16
29 Mark Sussex Wildside 707 RT 2V 79 05:33:52 @ 00:01:18
30 James Hawkins Cambridge University CC 2 14 05:33:57 @ 00:01:23
31 Chris Spence Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey 1 12 05:33:59 @ 00:01:25
32 Stephen Walkling Velocity Bikes CC 2V 75 05:33:59 @ 00:01:25
33 Daniel Davies Sabath Claytan 1 59 05:33:59 @ 00:01:25
34 Marcus Brueton Norwood Paragon CC 2 82 05:34:05 @ 00:01:31
35 Thomas Crouch Felt Racing 2 27 05:34:10 @ 00:01:36
36 Sam Humpheson London Dynamo 1 47 05:34:16 @ 00:01:42
37 Ian Legg Owen Cycles 1 93 05:34:22 @ 00:01:48
38 Tom Hemmant London Dynamo 1 48 05:34:50 @ 00:02:16
39 Ian Paine London Dynamo 1 42 05:36:05 @ 00:03:31
40 Toby Neave Southdown Velo 1 64 05:36:37 @ 00:04:03
41 Richard Tanguy Pendragon Kalas 1 55 05:37:32 @ 00:04:58
42 David Creeggan VC Meudon 1 92 05:37:37 @ 00:05:03
43 David Streule London Dynamo 2 41 05:39:07 @ 00:06:33
44 Kevin Knox Dulwich Paragon CC 1V 22 05:41:35 @ 00:09:01
45 John Nye Pendragon Kalas 1 91 05:41:35 @ 00:09:01
46 David Kennett Norwood Paragon CC 2V 52 05:41:59 @ 00:09:25
47 Richard Mason Fit-For 1 28 05:42:00 @ 00:09:26
48 Llewellyn Kinch GWR Team 2 29 05:42:10 @ 00:09:36
49 Christopher Seviour Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey 2 13 05:44:53 @ 00:12:19
50 Ben Wilson Solihull CC 1 65 05:46:54 @ 00:14:20
51 Warrick Spence Cyclefit RT 1 15 05:47:21 @ 00:14:47
52 Andy Duff Swindon RC 3 66 05:50:06 @ 00:17:32
53 Darrell Pembroke agiskoviner.com 1 3 05:50:44 @ 00:18:10
54 Dan Staite Python RT 1 61 05:50:44 @ 00:18:10
55 Paul Holdsworth Hounslow & District 1V 83 05:50:44 @ 00:18:10
56 Chris Prior agiskoviner.com 1 2 05:51:26 @ 00:18:52
57 Peter Wager VC Meudon 1 71 05:55:22 @ 00:22:48
58 Justin Callaway DHCyclesport.co.uk 2 17 05:55:22 @ 00:22:48
59 Jason Salter In-Gear Development Squad 2V 33 05:56:17 @ 00:23:43
60 Cameron Austin London Dynamo 3 40 05:56:52 @ 00:24:18
61 Stephen Dring Team Echelon 2 69 05:57:47 @ 00:25:13
62 Andrew Cook Manx Viking Wheelers 2 49 06:01:55 @ 00:29:21
63 Crispin Doyle Swindon RC 3 68 06:02:04 @ 00:29:30
64 Daniel Clark Private Member 2 60 06:04:04 @ 00:31:30
65 David Barnes East London Velo 2 23 06:05:14 @ 00:32:40
66 Gonzalo Rodriguez East London Velo 3 24 06:06:31 @ 00:33:57
67 James Beaumont Kingston Wheelers 2 37 06:07:02 @ 00:34:28
68 Simon Berogna Velocity Bikes CC 3 74 06:09:22 @ 00:36:48
69 Richard Newey agiskoviner.com 2V 5 06:12:39 @ 00:40:05
70 James Makepeace Wildside 707 RT 2 77 06:15:45 @ 00:43:11
71 Neil Cooper awcycles.co.uk 2 10 06:15:50 @ 00:43:16
72 Martin Garratt London Dynamo 3 44 06:23:42 @ 00:51:08