You know, when I watched Gent-Wevelgem this afternoon, it felt like having a deja-vu, just that we had non stop rain at the SERRL race. From the off mental speed, with 80+ km/h down a wet descent which I didnt know. So after only 4k I found myself dropped by some margin, with the gales hitting 45 degrees head on. Burned my first match for getting back on. Lesson learned, always do recce, even if in car! As I got back on 10 or so must have gone off the front. When I got nearer the front of the field, after first lap (of 6) grupettos started peeling off in similar fashion to what we saw at G-W today.
After half race then I piled in two attacks, one which saw me dangling 150m ahead for a while before I got pulled back, second attack I had company and third one eventually succeeded, as it turns out later, James Local was one of our campanions, also a Catford, a Dulwich and PMR rider (not Lee, he was in the group behind). We worked ok together and caught all breaks but the first group from early on. Going into last lap we were 12, including Mc Namara, Local and Trek Richardson rider.(others I cant remember). Trek attacked with about 5k to go and I joined him, as I thought we had only 2k to go. We worked well together, taking equal turns and soon were out of sight of our chasers. Where the finish was supposed to be, we were let on a country lane and ffs facing a bugger of a hill. I had no idea where the finish was to be, 300m? 1K, 2K where the f*&$ was the finish? Instead the gradient crept up to 8-10%, right bend, blimey a wall in front of us and he attacks. I had only brought 23 teeth and was churning at less than 60rpm, he made ground , but still no finish. Mc Namara, Local and another 3 guys pass me on the crest, my moral and legs broken, still no finish...must have been another 500m downhill, when I rolled alone over the line. Apparently there were 10 out front including Jamie Pine, followed by the remains of our grupetto with me on 19th overall, looking totally pale grey from the road spray. Not the best ever result, but personally I was really happy being in the mix and part of shaking things up, feeling strong and confident again. Admitted, stupid error about getting the finish wrong. Lap board should never be assumed as location of finish...
results
 |
| after the race |