Yesterday's Race
All through last week the only thing I could think about was racing at the weekend.
My 5th place from the previous week had left me thinking and realising that I was capable of doing really well, and despite needing only 2 more points all my thoughts were of nothing less than the win. I knew I had it in me, and I knew it was all about my position on the last couple of bends - the whole week led up to making sure I was in the top 5 or 6 places coming into the final stretch...
So, much like last week the first 30 mins were pretty quiet, not a lot going on - the odd failed breakaway attempt but nothing that looked threatening. The 3rd Cat race passed us at about 28 mins gone, and we had to ease up to get a decent gap, or we'd have risked the issue of the first race of the series where our race finished in the back of theirs and a lot of sprints were ruined. Once the 3rds had got a decent gap a fellow Dynamo went on the pounce and got a decent gap.
At the 5-lap board, he was still away and it was looking like it might stay that way - as he was a 'Mo and I only needed 2 points I was fairly happy with that so just resolved to do my best to bag 2nd. As it was we eventually reeled him in (and man did he look tired!), but only with 2 laps to go if I remember rightly.
And then that noise again! Doesn't matter whether it's aluminium or carbon, it makes you cringe - a few unfortunates were caught up in another crash, but thankfully I was in front of it and safe from harm. The pictures show a rather unpleasantly shaped (and far from cheap) Fulcrum Racing Zero wheel and a badly scraped knee was being tended to by one of the organisers (again, we cannot thank you enough), but that is all I know of from the aftermath. I hope everyone involved is ok.
And so to the final lap.
I was turning myself inside out to stay near the front - part of the issue being that in order to stay in contention I was having to ride in the wind. I had no shelter, and it was really beginning to do me no favours! Thankfully at the top of the circuit I was able to take enough of a breather to get a bit of energy back and rest my legs for a valuable few seconds. If it weren't for that (and the energy gel I gulped down on 30 mins) I might not have finished quite so well...
The final stretch - I had rounded the last corner well in 3rd or 4th spot and much like last week was driving up the left side of the climb. I don't know where I started my sprint, but I do know that this week I went too early. Maybe last week was perfectly timed after all. The good news is I held my place and held my nerve, even when the guy next to me as we went through the kink was making sure in no uncertain terms that he wanted me to stay put and not cut across him! I did the same last week though, can't blame him for telling me not to cut him up.
Me 3rd from right - is that 3rd or 4th?! Thanks to Gavin Morton for the pic
1st and 2nd (who happened to be my good mate Mike) were out of reach. Would they have still been out of reach if I'd timed my sprint right? Who knows. Who knows also what might have been had I not had far too much to drink the night before, but that's my own stupid fault! As it was, results are yet to be confirmed but I think I got 4th. Would have liked to have ended my stint in 4th Cat with at least a top three finish, but I should just be glad that I got the points I needed and am now (along with Mike who in getting 2nd claimed the 8 points he needed) a 3rd Cat.
It felt good handing back that yellow number at the end of the race...
My 5th place from the previous week had left me thinking and realising that I was capable of doing really well, and despite needing only 2 more points all my thoughts were of nothing less than the win. I knew I had it in me, and I knew it was all about my position on the last couple of bends - the whole week led up to making sure I was in the top 5 or 6 places coming into the final stretch...
So, much like last week the first 30 mins were pretty quiet, not a lot going on - the odd failed breakaway attempt but nothing that looked threatening. The 3rd Cat race passed us at about 28 mins gone, and we had to ease up to get a decent gap, or we'd have risked the issue of the first race of the series where our race finished in the back of theirs and a lot of sprints were ruined. Once the 3rds had got a decent gap a fellow Dynamo went on the pounce and got a decent gap.
At the 5-lap board, he was still away and it was looking like it might stay that way - as he was a 'Mo and I only needed 2 points I was fairly happy with that so just resolved to do my best to bag 2nd. As it was we eventually reeled him in (and man did he look tired!), but only with 2 laps to go if I remember rightly.
And then that noise again! Doesn't matter whether it's aluminium or carbon, it makes you cringe - a few unfortunates were caught up in another crash, but thankfully I was in front of it and safe from harm. The pictures show a rather unpleasantly shaped (and far from cheap) Fulcrum Racing Zero wheel and a badly scraped knee was being tended to by one of the organisers (again, we cannot thank you enough), but that is all I know of from the aftermath. I hope everyone involved is ok.
And so to the final lap.
I was turning myself inside out to stay near the front - part of the issue being that in order to stay in contention I was having to ride in the wind. I had no shelter, and it was really beginning to do me no favours! Thankfully at the top of the circuit I was able to take enough of a breather to get a bit of energy back and rest my legs for a valuable few seconds. If it weren't for that (and the energy gel I gulped down on 30 mins) I might not have finished quite so well...
The final stretch - I had rounded the last corner well in 3rd or 4th spot and much like last week was driving up the left side of the climb. I don't know where I started my sprint, but I do know that this week I went too early. Maybe last week was perfectly timed after all. The good news is I held my place and held my nerve, even when the guy next to me as we went through the kink was making sure in no uncertain terms that he wanted me to stay put and not cut across him! I did the same last week though, can't blame him for telling me not to cut him up.
Me 3rd from right - is that 3rd or 4th?! Thanks to Gavin Morton for the pic
1st and 2nd (who happened to be my good mate Mike) were out of reach. Would they have still been out of reach if I'd timed my sprint right? Who knows. Who knows also what might have been had I not had far too much to drink the night before, but that's my own stupid fault! As it was, results are yet to be confirmed but I think I got 4th. Would have liked to have ended my stint in 4th Cat with at least a top three finish, but I should just be glad that I got the points I needed and am now (along with Mike who in getting 2nd claimed the 8 points he needed) a 3rd Cat.
It felt good handing back that yellow number at the end of the race...
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Chasing Legends - Trailer
This is one that anyone reading this site would struggle not to watch - that's why it's going on my homepage:
Can't wait for this.
Can't wait for this.