Rewind to Smithfield

A little delayed but here's Pete's report from the Smithfield Nocturne

Smithfield Nocturne - June 7th 2008

Saturday night, sun is out, what should we do?? A few cold beers with my mates perhaps.yes! Except they drink the beer while I race around Smithfield market in the Cycling Weekly support race of the 2nd Rapha Condor Smithfield nocturne.



There were around 50 - (2nd ,3rd , 4th and Junior) riders lined up for the support race, which covered the 1km course for 40 minutes plus 10 laps. Taking the advice of my bro I battled to the front 10 riders and held position covering all the moves and letting the race behind split to peaces - the biggest split coming after a crash at the 90 degree turn at the bottom of the hill - it sounded painful!

After about 10 minutes the front group of 12 riders had formed and we slowly pulled away from the rest. Out of this group the attacks started. At this point I was just fighting to stay in the group and looking forward to the nice cold beer I could see my mates gulping down at "Smiths Bar" along the back straight whilst obviously cheering me on! It's actually just a blur of colours and noise when your racing but the boisterous beer fuelled crowds certainly made it an amazing atmosphere.

Doug Dewey and Ben Wilson managed to get a gap just before half distance and all 4 London Dynamos in the front group looked at each other and then at themselves in the passing shop windows before sitting behind the few us of that wanted to make a race of things chased.

The lead pair were pulling hard and increased the lead to a maximum of 45 seconds - at this point we started to get more organized but the we were now into the final 10 laps and it didn�t last long before the usual mucking around of looking, pointing and cursing resumed.

DING DING! Bell lap Ben and Doug battled it out for 1st and 2nd with Doug edging out Ben in the sprint. I led into the back straight looking for the Dynamos to launch - two riders went early and I followed. Screeching round the final bend with the carbon zipps clattering I gave it my best with a few getting passed just before the line - 7th place!

Looking forward to the next event in the series, which is in Salford, Manchester. Let's see what those northern monkeys have got say about all this cycling lark!

Saturday 30th August if you fancy it!!!