It was my first Tuesday night Hillingdon race of the year this week. As it was quite short (45 minutes) and I wanted a good workout, I was very aggressive. Me and Colin Roshier got away in the closing stages but Plowman Craven and Agiskoviner pulled us back with 500m to go for the almost inevitable bunch sprint (won by Tony Gibb). I finished mid pack but was delighted to find that my brother won his 4th Cat race. This was Stuart's first race and such was his immense power he won the sprint without getting out the saddle (video will be up shortly). We just need to build his endurance and he should be sorted! At 75kg I imagine he has good potential as a rouleur.
On Thursday I travelled up to Manchester to see Phil Burt, the BCF physio. He suprised me with an entirely unorthodox physio assessment. I was expecting the usual flexibility/core tests but he stuck tiny silver balls on my joints and filmed me under bright light while on the turbo. I should get results through soon. I got the train to Liverpool that evening and stayed at Albert Dock (see picture below). It was strange travelling by myself, time seems to go very slowly.
I met up with my Dad and Pete D in the morning. They had driven up to get the ferry. The crossing was really bad. Me, Pete, Dan Mclay, and my Dad were all pretty nauseous. When we arrived on the 'rock' I spent the afternoon cleaning my bike and preparing for the evening prologue. I did a shocking time to come 40th (9 seconds down), especially considering I had all the kit. Pete did a great ride though and won by 2 seconds and took yellow.What a face and what a time! (not)
The next stage was an early start. One advantage to doing a terrible prologue was there was much less focus on me. The parcours for the day was 11 laps of a rolling circuit with a nasty finishing climb. George got away early and reamed himself so I was content to race conservatively for the first half. I started getting aggressive with 5 to go (see picture below) and the race entered its important sector. A select group formed and with 2 laps to go Tim Kennaugh attacked on the climb and Pete and I countered. We managed to hold our gap at 25 seconds while Glendene chased behind. On the final time up the climb we pretty much sprinted from half way up and I used my immense finishing speed to overhaul Pete and win. Video should be up soon.
Unfortunately no shots of my victory salute, just one of me suffering.
I spent the rest of the afternoon stretching, sleeping, eating, and visiting Laxey. The Sunday stage was pretty flat but had one power climb in. I saved my energy till the finale to attack Pete but couldn't break free. The stage was won by Sam Harrison. The Ferry trip home was a lot better.
After the finish Pete was pretty happy. I was a little disappointed not to have won the overall, but Pete was a very deserved winner.
Or was he the winner? I got a nice trophy in the post today (see below). I am debating whether or not to keep it or sell it to Pete for a tidy sum.
The next stage was an early start. One advantage to doing a terrible prologue was there was much less focus on me. The parcours for the day was 11 laps of a rolling circuit with a nasty finishing climb. George got away early and reamed himself so I was content to race conservatively for the first half. I started getting aggressive with 5 to go (see picture below) and the race entered its important sector. A select group formed and with 2 laps to go Tim Kennaugh attacked on the climb and Pete and I countered. We managed to hold our gap at 25 seconds while Glendene chased behind. On the final time up the climb we pretty much sprinted from half way up and I used my immense finishing speed to overhaul Pete and win. Video should be up soon.
Unfortunately no shots of my victory salute, just one of me suffering.
I spent the rest of the afternoon stretching, sleeping, eating, and visiting Laxey. The Sunday stage was pretty flat but had one power climb in. I saved my energy till the finale to attack Pete but couldn't break free. The stage was won by Sam Harrison. The Ferry trip home was a lot better.
After the finish Pete was pretty happy. I was a little disappointed not to have won the overall, but Pete was a very deserved winner. 
Or was he the winner? I got a nice trophy in the post today (see below). I am debating whether or not to keep it or sell it to Pete for a tidy sum. 
Tomorrow I have got a 10 mile time trial then on Sunday is the prestigious interclub time trial. I am pretty excited as I haven't done a 25 in ages. I am sure my thirst will be quenched after Sunday.
(photos courtesy of Andy Whitehouse)
Comments
Post a Comment