Finally, A WIN! - Cadence Road Race

Great News. Finally a victory! Not a podium or a top 5 but actually crossing the line first. Hopefully this will continue for the rest of the season cause it feels so gooood. It was even more satisfying as I had a very stressful week at school with work and stuff and was feeling pretty down in general. 

It was the first round of the Junior National Series in Abergavenny Wales. I prepared well. I had a really nice dinner with the Dibbens and McClays on the Saturday night. A good move as knowing me I would probably have spent the evening doing something stupid like glute bridging exercises instead of resting. As you can see from the pic below, I thanked Pete (rider in red) for his hospitality.

Weather was cold but sunny so kept the knee warmers on. Bike was in fully pimped mode with deep sections. Gear were working nice and smooth. They better have considering I spent 4 hours Friday night and Saturdays morning labouring over changing the cables. I always decide to tinker with my bike a few days before a race and 99% of the time it goes wrong. I had time to check it out though as went for an easy ride with chum George Atkins on  Saturday. 

Anyway the race was pretty cautious for a long time and I put in many attacks but was unable to get away. I bridged to the front group with Dave Nichols and Sam Harrison then set about attacking them. 2nd time I tried I got away with Dom Schils, a strong rider who regularly wins in Belgium. I attacked him on the final climb and managed to have a glorious solo victory with 25 seconds in hand. My Dad was ready with the video camera and recorded the race.

The above was my early traditional race celebration. I decided to go for the themed option that me and my brother were discussing last week. Just a Juan Antonio Flecha fires an arrow me Sandy King crowns himself King. For most people it will look like I am just pretending to have horns but hey why not? I won't make a habit of it though. Contador's pistol is just boring (assuming I win more races that is!)

My brother is still in the Rugby Season but he will be breaking onto the scene soon. He will start out doing local stuff though.

Below is a picture of me looking pretty fat faced at the victory celebration (but very happy). Simon Yates did a great ride especially being a first year. He wasn't afraid to have a go. Dom Schils also did a good ride holding off the chasers.

Next big race is Junior Paris Roubaix. Today was a selection race for it so fingers crossed I will get a ride but you can never take anything for granted. It will be interesting to hear the selections as Roubaix is very different to Wales. The small really light guys might struggle despite their strength. Although I'm skinny I'm fairly tall so I should manage just fine- look at Ballan. 

Thanks to Richard Robothom for the photos

P.S. My tip for Flanders is Flecha and Hammond for Roubaix. I like going for the underdogs.

Next Weekend is a Calshot Training Session with my bro followed by Thames Velo RR up near Watlington. No pressure but will be a hard race and good training for Roubaix the following week.