Just a quick note, last weekend I raced the Bill Jinks Memorial Road Race (3/4) and had a good race, finishing in the bunch and feeling strong.
Anyway, onto today's race now!! A local race for me, the Thames Velo RR, a cat 3/4 race through Great Milton and Stadhampton. I felt good in the morning having had a good night's sleep and lots of carbs the night before!! The race started slowly for the first few miles but soon sped up about 5 miles in, before long we were coasting along at 30mph with ease. There were a few breaks that tried to go early, including one started by myself and team-mate Henry Peacock, we got a small gap and felt we could push on, only to find the commisaire's car slow right down and stop us from getting away... Oh well!
Just starting out...
The race carried on in a similar fashion with mini-breaks going away and soon getting brought back, and at all times, Team Zappi's were present at or near the front! The prime sprint was to come on the 2nd time through the finish line, at around 30 miles. I went early at the bottom of the hill, and tried to push on, but I had gone too early and was caught by a few other guys, and rolled over about 7th for the prime, team-mate Roger Prior took second though so well done to him!! So now there was one lap to go, everyone was together.
Just before entering Little Milton a group of about 4 of us got a slight gap and tried to push on, however everyone soon began to slow, so I went through to do a turn on the front, looking to wind the pace up and increase or gap, however it seems I either accelarated stupidly quickly, or the other 3 had nothing to give because I soon found myself alone with clear daylight between me and the bunch.
Increasing the gap!!
I saw this as an opportunity, so with 12 miles left to go in the race I was all alone and building a steady gap from the bunch. I was soon out of sight and had a gap of about a minute, I blocked out all my thoughts and just dug in, and as far as I could see they weren't gaining on me. Off the long straight and onto the climb... I put everything into that hill and flew down the other side at 30+ mph, still a gap. The last left-hand turn of the race, onto the long road to the finish, 2 miles to go... they had started to close the gap, I dug deep and powered on, I could see a few riders beginning to wind up for the leadout, and the gap was closing down rapidly!! I got to the foot of the final climb, 500 metres before the line... 1 rider... 2 riders... 3... The whole bunch came past me and I just capitulated, could hardly get above 8mph to the finish line... I had given everything, and just been pipped at the line.
Sprinting out of a sharp left hand bend... Ouch.
I was gutted, I crossed the line and collapsed onto the floor, nothing left whatsoever... I had dug deeper than I ever have in a bike race before... for 12 miles, and it wasn't quite enough. Congratulations to team-mate Matt Derrick who took 5th overall, and 1st Junior, cracking ride buddy!
Chasing the escort cars!
Overall I was happy with my ride, and proved to myself that if I work hard, I can compete really well in these races! The result was slightly dissapointing for me personally, but I was really proud to be part of a team who worked hard, rode hard, was ever-present, and got a few results today! Well done to all riders, and it was brilliant to see a lot of other club members out at the finish line!! Great support, thanks guys!
Everyone now knows who Team Zappi's are, and that we can compete with any other team at this level!
Ciao.
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