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Cycle Kingdom Classic RR - RESULT


1 - Chris McNamara - Wildside RT E - 2hrs 54min
2 - John Veness - ES Torigni 2
3 - Wouter Sybrandy - Sigma Sport/Specialized E
4 - Ross Adams - Red Kite Cycles/Torq 1
5 - Andy Betts - Twickenham CC 1
6 - Jaco Ehlers - Wildside RT 2
7 - Stephen Richards - VC Meudon 2
8 - Robert Willcocks - Ajchva Limoux 1
9 - James Smith - Team Certini 1
10 - Tim Elverson - Felt Racing E
11 - John Wager - Felt Racing E
12 - Warrick Spence - Cyclefit-Serotta E
13 - Danny Axford - Artic-Premier RT 1
14 - Rob Hurd - PM 1
15 - Steve Gowar - Sigma Sport/Specialized 1V
16 - Jason Edwards - Wildside RT 1
17 - Anders Christensen - Cycle Kingdom RT 1
18 - Justin Hoy - Felt Racing E
19 - Ben Luckwell - Sport Beans EV
20 - Wayne Coombs - VC Montpellier 1
21 - Darren Barclay - Artic-Premier RT 2
22 - Pete Wager - VC Meudon 2
23 - Simon McNamara - Wildside RT 1
24 - Michael Cripps - Army CU 3
25 - Mark Sussex - Wildside RT 2
26 - Chris Birch - East Street Cycles.com 2
27 - Simon Warren - Norwood Paragon CC 1
28 - John Glaysher - www.agiskoviner.com 2
29 - Sam Allen - I-Team 2J

DNF - Gary Dodd - Sigma Sport/Specialized 1
DNF - Warren Jesse - VC Meudon 1
DNF - Dave Larcombe - VC Meudon 2
DNF - Paul Mace - High Wycombe CC 2
DNF - John Nye - ES Torigni 1
DNF - Dean Robson - Ajchva Limoux 1
DNF - Pete Smith - Team MK 1

DNS - Roger Smith - VC Etoile 2
DNS - Phillip Borrett - Bikinmotion CC 1

King of the Mountains
1 - Chris McNamara
2= - Wouter Sybrandy
2= - John Venness

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RACE REPORT

Chris McNamara (Wildside RT) proved a strong and worthy winner of the Cycle Kingdom Classic Road Race held on Sunday 29th June over a combination of challenging circuits based around Milland in Hampshire.

The racing started early as a small group of 4 riders ( John Wager, Jaco Ehlers, James Smith, Rob Willcocks ) attacked within the first mile. They were to form the basis of a larger breakaway which established itself on the opening circuit and by the time the race had moved on the 2nd circuit that contained the 25% Milland Prime Hill the lead group had already gained around 2 minutes on the peleton (Chris McNamara, Wouter Sybrandy, John Venness, Jaco Ehlers, Rob Willcocks, Jason Edwards, Tim Elverson, John Wager, James Smith, Stephen Richards, Ross Adams, Andy Betts).

The break grew their lead to a maximum of 4 minutes at one point, until a chase group of 7 finally formed behind and set off in pursuit (Warren Jesse, Steve Gower, Anders Christensen, Justin Hoy, Warrick Spence, Rob Hurd and Danny Axford). But ahead it was McNamara who looked the strongest on every hill, taking maximum KOM points at almost every opportunity.

Onto the finishing curcuit and the leaders split with McNamara dragging both Sybrandy and Veness off the front. At the same time the chasers also accelerated with Axford, Spence and Hurd gaining on every lap. At the bell McNamara again had his companians in trouble on the steeper sections of the climb, while Ross Adams had pulled clear of the remains of the break and was heading for 4th place.

As the 3 leaders made the final ascent to the finish line Chris McNamara had saved the best until last, distancing both Veness and Sybrandy for a clear and well deserved victory.

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Frame size is Specialized 52cm. Virtual top tube measurement is 53.8cm. For exact measurements and size guidance please refer to the Specialized website. This is the top of the range frameset in the current Quickstep team colours.

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Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 8 Results

3/4
1 Steve Smith Python RT 3 10
2 Justin Radford Python RT 3 9
3 Andrew Dilkes VC Meudon 3 8
4 Nick Beale Didcot Phoenix CC 3 7
5 Gavin Spiers Reading CC 3 6
6 Mark William Python RT 3 5
7 Ben Thomas Mountain Trax 4 4
8 David Wilson Charlotteville CC 3 3
9 David Butcher DNA cycles 4 2
10 Nick Evans Beyond/Specialized 3 1


Overall Classification

E/1/2
1 John Wager Felt Racing 1 15
2 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E 14
3 Lewis Atkins www.agiskovinor.com 2 13
4 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon 1 12
5 Christopher Minter Pedalon.co.uk 2 11
6 Daniel Duguid Sigma Sport/Specialised/Sportfull 1 10
7 Justin Hoy Felt Racing E 9
8 Lee Smith www.agiskovinor.com 1 8
9 Neil Cooper AWCycles 2 7
10 Rob King Reading C C 2 6
11 Alex Peterson AWCycles 1 5
12 Pete Wager VC Meudon 2 4
13 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2 3
14 Adrian Goatley www.agiskovinor.com 2 2
15 Matthew Carden Team Quest 2 1


Overall Classification

View from the back (of the 5 Day)

In a moment of madness a few weeks ago I entered the Surrey League Jaunts 5 Day. I could see one benefit of entering - it got me out of commissairing duties, but as the race approached I knew I was in for a serious kicking! - here's what happened ...

Day 1 - Friday - 7.8m TT
Gathering in a blustery and rainy car park on the top of Withyham we watched batches of twenty somethings fettling their expensive machines in preparation for the downhill start to the TT. Fortunately the rain had eased by the time the VC Meudon squad started at the rear of the field. I was due first off, to be followed @1 minute by Craig Wilson, then Duncan Hards and finally Gibbo. At around 8:30pm in the gathering gloom I was released by Keith Butler into an initial 6 minutes worth of rapid downhillness - it felt like the Cresta run as I forced my hands to stay away from the brakes. After a brief rise and sharp turn at Groombridge came the slog back up to the finish on Ladies Mile. I was expecting Wilson to come charging past any minute, but going into the final mile there was still no sign of him. Then a maroon jersey flashed past - it was Dunc having caught me for 2 minutes! I followed him over the line and looked back to see Craig coasting up behind - something was surely amiss. Gibbo and I duly took up our positions in 58th and 57th position on GC - a pattern was emerging....

Day 2 - Saturday - Big Bletchingly
A warm day to be riding Bletchingly and a massive shock when the lead car forgot what "neutralised" meant - I was in oxygen debt chasing back on before we'd even gone over the Motorway bridge. A breakneck descent preceeded a further shock as we sailed straight past the left turn to Outwood bringing the realisation that we were tackling the larger of the Bletchingly circuits with even more climbs.
Our first downer came on the second time up through the finish line when Craig found himself struggling for power. Grabbing different gears, nothing would help and Craig disappeared! The explanation for his below par TT was apparent - he'd come down with the lergy. I managed to hang on until 15m to go, when I went out of the back on the climb with 2 to go, had a mix up/rant with the DFL following car and chased like mad only to be blocked by the race convoy on the descent - the race disappeared off ahead of me. Dunc and Gibbo rode strongly to finish with the splintering pack up the finish climb.
New yellow jersey Richard Hoult - London Dynamo had gained almost a minute on everyone over the final few miles.
Overall GC now Dunc 27th @2:57 Gibbo 40th @4:57 Me 44th @16:01 Craig - on his sick bed, £75 poorer

Day 3 - Saturday - Ewhurst/Leith Hill
All the talk in the changing room before the start was about the finish up Leith Hill. Gibbo even made me drive him up there beforehand to reccy the 1.5mile leg breaker. I was only concerned about the preceeding 68miles - if I could just hang on until the bottom of the climb I'd be delirious. The race was full-on most of the time, including the strange sight of the Ewhurst villagers watching aghast as the race stormed up the high street with a pair of horses (complete with petrified riders) galloping along in the middle of the peleton. Gibbo complained of being on his last legs; we've all heard that from people who subsequently romp to victory but he was not bluffing and after a couple of all out chases to get back on Gibbo was finally history as the race turned onto the Ockley mile at half distance. He spent the rest of the race at the feed zone chatting up the mums of the junior DFL team - (hope mrs gibbo doesn't read this) Dunc and I stayed with the peleton, led by the Yellow Dynamo and his team, who chased down all attacks, until the foot of Leith Hill. It was here that Dunc and I went in opposite directions; he stormed up the climb to finish 15th, taking some big scalps on the way, while I soldiered up on reserve tanks to lose another 2 minutes.
Overall GC now Dunc 21st @3:13 Me 41st @17:41 Gibbo missing in action

Day 4 - Monday - Warninglid
Another warm sunny day, another manic start. No sooner had the lead car pulled away, heart rates were maxing out ( at least mine was ) - almost an hour went by before I dare take my hands off the bars and grapple for a gel (who designed those bloody pockets?!) The Yellow Dynamo was in action throughout - maybe he thought having the leaders jersey meant he had to stay in the lead all day - he was never off the front. Well, until Dunc eased into a 4 man break that bravely held out for 10 miles, until a mass chase brought them to heel. During the mellay I was despatched out of the back again with 10miles remaining. Gibbo who had been allowed to restart day 4 was riding refreshed and fancied his chances in the sprint finish. However dangerous riding and approaching double decker buses brought him to his senses and he sat out the dash for the line. Dunc had recovered enough to cross the line @8s in 38th
Overall GC now Dunc 25th @3:21 Me 43rd @24:59 Gibbo (back in action) 48th @1:05:18

Day 5 - Tuesday - Lingfield (or not)
An even warmer, sunnier day and race organiser Keith Butler was forced to switch circuits at the last minute due to roadworks. I had been fearing the Lingfield climbs and thought this was a blessing in disguise - Not so, Keith always has another challenge up his sleeve. We were to race straight from the HQ for 9 miles onto the Ladies Mile circuit, then complete 13 laps. This turned out to be a 9 mile hill climb followed by a high speed Crit - just what you need on Day 5. I don't know how I managed to stay in contact on the outleg to the circuit, it was touch and go all the way. Things settled down once on the 4 mile loop, but the up and down nature of the circuit was hurting more each lap and a surge through the finish spat me, and several others, out of the back at half distance. A steady 30mile ride to the finish followed - at last I experienced what normal riding was like again. Back in the race the Yellow Dynamo was letting nothing escape. His team rode a fine race until a Dulwich Paragon, who was @2:43 on GC, slipped the field. At the bell (as he lapped me) he had a minute on the bunch, but more chasing ensued and although the lone rider held on to take the stage, the Dynamestiques had reduced his lead to 11s and the Yellow Dynamo took home the jersey and first prize. Gibbo found his form again, stayed with the race and finished with the pack, while Dunc gave absolutely everything to stay in touch but found his legs wanting near the end and eventually had to let go - a shame after staying with the race for so long. But there was still joy to come as we searched our pockets for loose change - enough to muster up 3 shandies from a nearby pub before the 9 mile jaunt back to the HQ, feeling light headed but glad it was all over. Gibbo has already sent his entry off for next year!
Final GC Dunc 34th @10:09 Me 41st @40:59 Gibbo (still in action) 45th @1:05:18

Eelfold and Moore Hulbert

Dunsfold this week again went according to form with Jamie grabbing 3rd and a hatfull of primes from the break to extend his lead in the series. And again the bunch gallop was won by Ken Prince in 9th. 


On Wednesday in the E12 it was the same two riders plus Steve Richards and Dave Creggan motoring along in the break, aided and abetted by Mark Bremner and eventual winner Tim Elverson. Our man in the break Ken reports:

"The night started off as most normal Wednesday nights with attacks from the off. With only about 10 minutes gone I found myself jumping onto a wheel as another attack tried to go. Mark was also on my wheel and before we knew it we had opened up quite a gap. With Tim pushing us on we all worked hard to keep the gap which in the strong wind was not easy. Mark began suffering but held on as long as he could and kept coming back when I thought he would drop off. As there were 4 Meudons in the 7 away we had excellent support with Jamie, Gianluca, Dave and John holding off the bunch. Anders and Jamie got across later in the race and then we were 8. This came down to a sprint when  unfortunately Dave Creggan crashed on the last corner which held myself and Jamie up. I pulled my foot out and by the time I'd put it back in and looked up the first 4 riders were halfway up the finishing straight!" 

Over in the  3rds an early break went with Keith making sure he was smartly placed. He was later joined by Andy Dilkes who got across with a few laps to go, with both making the top ten at the finish.

Meanwhile over at the Dragon Vets stage race, Martin Hulbert was 2nd overall in the ABC race and 2nd overall in his age group overall. Martin lost 30" in the 3.5 mile prologue but won the 1st stage alone after being in a 3 man break for nearly all the race and followed that up with 2nd in the 2nd road stage from a 4 man break.

Finally sprightly Bob Moore's consistent good form means he has joined an elite group of 50something 2nd cats.


Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 7 results

3/4
1 Dan Guest Army CU 3 10
2 Ben Thomas Mountain Trax 4 9
3 Robert King Reading CC 3 8
4 Justin Radford Python RT 3 7
5 Nick Beale Didcot Phoenix CC 3 6
6 Gavin Spiers Reading CC 3 5
7 Chris Wood www.agiskoviner.com 3 4
8 Andrew Dilkes VC Meudon 3 3
9 Andrew McKie Norwood Paragon 3V 2
10 Keith Brooks VC Meudon 3V 1

Overall Classification

E/1/2
1 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E 15
2 Simon Ernest AW Cycles 2 14
3 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskoviner.com 2 13
4 Alex Peterson AW Cycles 1 12
5 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2 11
6 Jamie Newall VC Meudon 2 10
7 Anders Christensen Cycle Kingdom Race Team 1 9
8 Steve Richards VC Meudon 1 8
9 Tom Smith AW Cycles E 7
10 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon 1 6
11 John Wager Felt Racing 1 5
12 Matthew Carden Team Quest 2 4
13 Jason Edwards Wildside RT 1 3
14 Mark Bremner VC Meudon 2V 2
15 Pete Wager VC Meudon 2 1

Overall Classification

Click on any image below for a larger version













Vecchi/Meudon Vets weekend

VC Meudon and Ciclisti Vecchi riders were out in force at Dunsfold last weekend for the latest LVRC races, this time promoted by our very own Lindsey Ruocco ( and family).

Before we get into the racing, a BIG THANKS to Lindsey and his "crew" for a great day. Despite the usual horses, roadworks and grumpy local residents both races went off well with hard racing and deserving winners all round.

The morning race over 7 laps for the over 55's was a relentless round of attacking and chasing which ended in a mass spint up the final hill. Despite animating throughout the race KeithB was slightly less spritely than last week but still placed 3rd in Category. In a feat of amazing delegation Lindsey even managed to ride himself, as did Alan Clarke, Andy Swanson and Paul Shoebridge. I believe Keith's main rival for the overall was further back so he now leads category E in the series.

In the youngsters' 8 lap race that followed, a similar race pattern emerged. Riding in his new RT316 colours Martin Hulbert surged forward 0.472 seconds after the gun to start a continuous cycle of attacking and chasing. At one point a 2 man breakaway containing Switcher O'Grady (VC Deal)(Craig Wilson's main contender in the B category) was improving a 1 minute lead, until Craig finally marshalled his troops and (along with a brace of ColourTech riders who were also concerned) a 2 lap chase dragged the bunch back up to neutralise the threat.

Tim Costello, Terry Morgan and Ben Macland were doing lots of work all the way through, but it was Rob Cranstone and Keith Jarrett (both quite active throughout) who finally broke the elastic, getting away in a group of 4 with two laps to go. On the final lap another 4 man chase group got away but that didn't work despite Gianluca trying to get them going. They were caught on the final hill.

From the lead break Keith and Rob finished 2nd and 4th to winner Colin McDermott (Festival RC), with Gianluca, Bob, Craig and Colin (unSwitching himself on the line) all up there in the sprint for the minor placings.

Full results and category placings to follow, but Craig retains his overall B category lead with Keith now moving up to 2nd in the series overall.

Meudon in the money at Giles Ree

Race review from WarrenJ ...

4 Meudoner’s competed in Sundays 80 mile Giles Ree Memorial RR, the prizes were slightly more generous than normal due to the fact it was a 25th anniversary RR. Myself, Jamie Newall and married couple David Creeggan and Jo Munden competed. Jo was a lone women entry and was very brave to line up for such a race which included most the SE big hitters, her reasoning was she was going to watch anyway but figured she may as well race and see how far she got! The organisers ensured a £20 prize for 1st woman, so now Jo felt obliged to try and finish which would have been no mean feat.

The course was fairly sporting with a couple of drags per lap and in any normal race would be a recipe for the race to break apart. For some reason this race stayed pretty much together the whole time except for a few small breaks but none got much more than 1 minute.

So after nearly 80 miles of fairly brisk racing it was apparent a bunch sprint would occur. The bunch had probably lost around 20 or so riders through punctures or general fatigue so there were a good 60 of us going balls out down the final hill ready for the slight uphill sprint into Staplefield. Hectic was an understatement and I for one was thinking of my first fathers day and thinking it may be more sensible to sit this one out, but adrenaline took over and I saw a gap with 300m to go and went for it, 8 other riders got round me on the line including Jamie in 7th and David in 8th so between us we took home approx £90 in prizes including the £20 Jo picked up.

Eelmore report from KB

A fine evening encouraged another good turnout in both events…….from a spectators point of view the constant attacks in the seniors race made it look like a rapid race but don’t underestimate the 3rd/4ths as they plugged away all night at a constant high pace and for the first time that I can remember they were not caught.

Briefly the senior race was a Felt vs Agisko vs Meudon affair with all three teams putting their riders in breaks and attacking each other but at the end of the day the breaks came back and it was the one man teams of Norwood’s Chris Moores, Cyclekingdom’s Anders Christensen and Sigma’s Dan Duguid that did the damage. Chris, fresh back from the Ras, clippedoff at the end to hold of a fast finishing Justin Hoy with Dan 3rd and Anders 7th.

The 3rd/4ths was a fast race, there were attacks but they were quickly brought back and with a lap to go it looked like a big bunch sprint….Nick Allen, prolific Eelmoor winner already this season, had different ideas and as the bell was rung he just accelerated away to ride the last lap on his own and had plenty of time to show off his sponsors jersey as he crossed the line.

Midweek handicap report from Brems

The Thursday Handicap at Chertsey saw only 3 Meudoners turn up. Ken Prince and Mark B went off with the 2s and Lindsey R was off earlier.
Conditions were perfect, if you were a lesser spotted green frog waiting for the monsoon to find a mate. For cycling they were awful as the showers (of the heavy sort) that threatened started as the first group set off and didn't finish till the last rider crossed the line.
Typical handicap race as each group got caught with the race all together with 6 or 7 laps to go.
The attacks then began with Darrell Pembroke starting them on this evening and Colin Roshier being in most of them.
Ken ( on his 3rd race of the week ) found himself in one such move with 3 to go until sense prevailed and he joined the bunch who were always in touch.
And so it was that no one got away and the bunch bunched even more as the field of 55 gathered to hear the bell.
A tactical half lap found people trying to find the right wheel and once Mark B had Gary Dodd's just in front that's where he stayed.
Lined out through the final turn it was everyone for themselves up the finish.
Pauk Delahunty and Jerome Walters looked strong and led it out as the line neared.
Mark B still had Gary D's wheel and that's where he finished with a 4th spot.
A gillet seperated Mark from Darrell P and Ken P who who was paying a bit for his earlier move but picking up some more points with 6th.
Lindsey rolled in at his own pace enjoying the weather.
The field also included a World Champion in the shape of Joanna Rowsell but she finished out of the top 10.

Podium for Wily Wilson at Dunsfold

On Tuesday's Dunsfold Aerodrome event VC Meudon fielded a large team. The E/1/2s caught the 3rds and 4ths after 4 laps and then the attacks began. Jamie Newall was ever present and forced a break with Tim Elverson of Felt and they were soon joined by a number of other riders jumping across the ever growing gap. The break of 13 had 4 Meudons - Craig Wilson, Gianluca, Nick Allen and Jamie along with 3 from the Fuzzy Felts and 2 from Wildside - rahhh. The smooth working break built a good lead on the bunch. Team tactics and the very windy conditions played a part and each time Jamie broke away he was brought back by Wildside or Felt. With the Felt lead out train keeping it together all 13 fought out the finish. Justin Hoy won from Tim with Craig finishing 3rd, Jamie 4th and Gianluca 8th with Nick protecting his 3rd cat licence by finishing out of the points.


Stop Press - We are still awaiting the outcome of the decision on whether the first 2 riders completed full distance - if any of them didn't we all know the moral victor was from VCM and not the Fuzzy Felt boys!! (only kidding)

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 6 Results

Youth Race
1 Joe McGuinness Palmer park 460803

3/4
1 Nick Allen VC Meudon 3 10
2 Dan Guest Army CU 3 9
3 Nick Onslow Pedalon.co.uk 3 8
4 Richard Jerome Willesden CC 3 7
5 Mike Cripps Army CU 3 6
6 Max Harris VC Meudon 3 5
7 Justin Radford Python RT 3 4
8 Andrew McKie Norwood Paragon 3V 3
9 Terry Morgan VC Meudon 3V 2
10 Andy Grant VC Meudon 3V 1



Overall Classification

E/1/2
1 Chris Moores Norwood Paragon 1 15
2 Justin Hoy Felt Racing E 14
3 Daniel Duguid Sigma Sport 1 13
4 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskoviner.com 2 12
5 Boyd Roberts www.agiskoviner.com 2 11
6 Lewis Atkins www.agiskoviner.com 2 10
7 Anders Christensen Cycle Kingdom Race Team 1 9
8 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E 8
9 David Creeggan VC Meudon 1 7
10 Warren Jesse VC Meudon 1 6
11 Alex Peterson AW Cycles 1 5
12 Steve Richards VC Meudon 1 4
13 John Wager Felt Racing 1 3
14 Adrian Goatley www.agiskoviner.com 2 2
15 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2 1



Overall Classification

Round up to 10/6

The results are now in from Eelmore, so here's this weeks roundup. At Dunsfold Jamie continues to dominate, getting in and then away from the winning break with Simon McNamara to finish second,  picking up a bunch of primes along the way. Gianluca led out Ken for the final place. Jamie now looks odds on favourite for the series.


At Eelmore lone attacks from Craig Wilson and Dave Creeggan failed to stick in the windy conditions and aggressive riding from Jamie and Tim and John Felt also went unrewarded as riders sat on waiting for the bunch finish. That was duly won by Tom Smith, with myself, Pete Wager, Dave and Jamie spread over the other end of the placings.

In the thirds Nick Allen had to be encouraged by Colin with two laps to go to take part in the sprint. This inevitably resulted in Nick completing his hatrick of wins. He's now working out how he can guarantee not finishing higher than 2nd in order to stop going up to second cat. Bob Moore continued his great run of form in 4th and must also be close to a licence upgrade.

In Thursday's handicap, Mark Bremner's new goal of going in the other direction - from 2nd to 3rd cat - went badly wrong when he finished a good third behind new Divs winner Gary Dodd and Lee Smith. Ken Prince followed up on the day before's result with a decent 7th.

Meanwhile over in Sussex, Mike Lancaster finished 8th in the Surrey League race on the tough Barcombe course.


LVRC Dunsfold-update

Both Keith Brooks and Craig Wilson rode strongly on Sunday at Dunsfold. Keith finished powerfully up the finish hill to take 2nd and moves up to joint overall leader in the series.


Craig also made the key break in his race held over 60 hot miles and consolidated his lead in the overall B category.

KEITH'S REPORT
After the initial shock of finding we had to ride with the younger group, the fact that there were 50 riders around aflat Dunsfold road circuit should have been an armchair ride for the sprinters…not to be. Feeling frisky and with no warm up I went from the gun, which lasted a lung bursting 4k, and after I was caught it was attack after attack from then on. Just before half distance the pressure was on and it was looking like a small split would occur when the ubiquitous horse and rider appeared in the middle of the bunch. The leaders pushed on but as many riders had to stop the lead car wisely took the initiative to slow the race until it regrouped.

The attacks started again and a group of seven got away, no Vecchis but including the series leader from the Ds and a couple of good Es.I managed to eventually get across with the help of Sid Lovatts back wheel and that was it…I can’t understand why we all had to go through so fast for the next two laps when we were minutes clear but then on the last lap the attacks started again and a good opportunity to sit on and get a breather. With 2 k to go John McMillan made another huge effort and this time there was no reaction and he gained 100 metres which he held up the climb and to the finish. The last lap breather obviously did me some good and I was able to lead the break home for 2nd in the race and category just in front of youngster Ray Palin who won the Ds.

Hard work and we’ve got to do it all again next Sunday.

TIM'S ABC RACE REPORT
A good result for the Ciclisti Vecchi B team (that's age category B) on Sunday with Craig extending his lead in the points competition.

The team worked well together to make sure that Craig was placed in the winning break and that there were no dangerous counter attacks. When the bunch split there were four CVs on hand. We (Colin Addo, Keith J, Terry and me) almost caught the break at one point which would have meant five CVs up front. Keith was victim of the phantom that scattered drawing pins on one part of the circuit.

Craig was third just pipped by Martin O'Grady (?) from VC Deal who, most independent and unbiased witnesses agreed (that's Keith and Mrs Keith), had switched Craig all over the road. His card is marked. Just wait until the Scicilian chapter of Ciclisti Vecchi hears about this ... you gotta show respect ...

In the C Category VC Meudon's Martin Hulbert also made the lead break and scored highly.

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 5 Results UPDATED

U8
1st Alex Foster
2nd Joe McGuinness

U12
1st Cameron Thomas
2nd Emily Foster

E12
1 Tom Smith AWCycles E 15
2 Lewis Atkins www.agiskoviner.com 2 14
3 Lee Smith www.agiskoviner.com 1 13
4 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskoviner.com 2 12
5 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E 11
6 Alex Peterson AWCycles 1 10
7 Anders Christensen Cycle Kingdom Race Team 1 9
8 Matthew Carden Team Quest 2 8
9 Ben Macland VC Meudon 2 7
10 Thorsten Klassen Kingston Wheelers CC 2 6
11 Daniel Duguid Sigma Sport/Specialised/Sportfull 1 5
12 Pete Wager VC Meudon 2 4
13 David Creeggan VC Meudon 1 3
14 Jamie Newall VC Meudon 2 2
15 Neil Cooper AWCycles 2 1

Overall Classification

34
1 Nick Allen VC Meudon 3 10
2 Nick Mawson Swindon RC 3 9
3 Nick Onslow Pedalon.co.uk 3 8
4 Bob Moore VC Meudon 3 7
5 Robert King Reading CC 3 6
6 Steve Smith Python RT 3 5
7 Justin Radford Python RT 3 4
8 Andy Cracknell Pedalon.co.uk 3 3
9 Gareth Dickenson Agiskoviner 3 2
10 Martin McCrossan Team Terminator 3 1

Overall Classification

Pete survives Central Divs

A strong field lined up for the 2008 Central Divs Champs including PCA (Tony Gibb and his pink ladies), AW Cycles, Agisko, London Dynamo, Sigma Sport, Team MK, Felt Racing (my brother and ex VC Meudon rider John Wager) plus the legendary Roy Chamberlain,Team Corley and Aaron McCaffrey, VTT Pyrenees (he said he was only riding for a laugh!!). VC Meudon was being represented by me - Pete Wager. Just under 7 laps of the rolling Cublington circuit lay ahead in calm and overcast conditions.

Lap 1 produced the usual flurry of attacks with nothing really getting away. Coming to the end of the 2nd lap a large group of 15 riders went clear over a short drag and pulled out a maximum lead of a 1 minute - this group included all 4 of the PCA team and at least 1 from all the other major teams with the exception of VC Meudon, Team Corley and Felt. It was on the 2nd lap that I managed to loose a full bottle after hitting a pot hole and with no one handing up drinks I was left to survive on a single bottle and a handful of gels....

Lap 3 - The chase was on! A combined effort of around 10 riders including Team Corley, Aaron McCaffrey, myself and John, worked for the next 3 laps in an attempt to pull them back - the rest of the bunch enjoyed the views over the rolling Buckinghamshire countryside. Slowly the gap came down and we began to catch the now fragmented front group just before the final lap. At the bell only Tony Gibb remained off the front with a 27 second advantage going over the climb.

Final lap and the attacks started - nothing really stuck and Tony Gibb maintained his gap. A London Dynamo rider escaped and was quickly followed by James Millard (PCA) in the last 5km and they appeared to bridge across to the leader. Into the final kilometre and the bunch were preparing for the UP HILL sprint. Tony Gibb attacked and held on for the win from the front group while the bunch swallowed up the other two riders on the hill. My attempt at a sprint only proved how much the effort over the previous laps and a lack of fluids had affected me and I rolled across the line almost to a standstill in 28th position - Totally exhausted.

Chapeau to my brother, John (Felt racing), for sharing his drink on the last laps and a creditable 10th place - I would not have finished the race otherwise.

Moore Gibbs (updated)

POST UPDATED - scroll down for the race report ....

Scanning through the foto galleries of the Central Divs I spotted that familiar Meudon jersey, so dug a bit deeper into the results to find that prolific points scorer Bob Moore had sneaked out of region to ride the supporting 3rds race with Mark Gibbs for support.

Not sure what happened in the race yet, but Bob finished a fine 3rd with Mark backing up in 8th place.

I thought both must be perilously close to their 2nd Cat licences by now, so checked the BC rankings and sure enough Mr Gibbs sits proudly at the top of the South East 3rd Cat rankings with 39 points

At last Bob's comprehensive race report ....
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Carry On Bike Racing, 3/4cat support race to Central Divs, supported by Gibbo, Simon (no 10), Mike Lancaster and me, (Bob)(of Moore fame)
This race had everything, mystery route, headwinds, tailwinds, parked cars and crashes (there's a clue).

It went ballistic from the race HQ, the warmed up riders chasing the Lead Car at 27mph in the neutrallised zone..... I'm glad real racing is not as hard, it was only when we ended up negotiating traffic lights in Leighton Buzzard and coming to a stop in the High Street that the Lead Car realised something was adrift. After an 80 rider 'U' turn we headed back to the race course and that's where the real fun began
Having started 10 minutes behind the real Divs race we should have been well out of the E123's way, but because of our mystery trip to Leighton Buzzard we were now just in front of the main race.

After about 3 miles of racing the commisaire stopped us at the side of the road to wait for the main race to come thru'. I got a glimpse of Pete Wager at full flight in the bunch with Plowmen Craven on the front, those guys looked pretty quick as they ripped past us spuddos waiting at the roadside.
(Pete finished in the bunch after 80 miles at 26mph, a really good ride in that company.)

When we eventually got started again I could hardly be less enthusiastic about racing. However the race bowled along OK and Gibbo was good enough to tell me where he was going to jump for the finish line and if I wanted to be on his wheel that would be OK!
A couple of riders attempted to get away but that ended when the bunch collectively,
didn't exactly chase, but just somehow caught them up again.
Mike Lancaster looked pretty lively as he romped through the hilltop finish line on lap 3 stretching out the field and I really thought that he would have a good result on the day.
However on lap 4 with about 8 miles to go the red parked car which had been there all the race claimed a victim when a guy ploughed into the back of it bringing down 7 other riders including Mike. Mike couldn't get untangled and his race was over.

I was lucky enough to be level with this incident so not held up, but both Gibbo and Simon got stopped: Gibbo chased and got back on but Simon couldn't bridge the gap, finishing just off the bunch.

Seeing Gibbo with about 2 miles to go making his way towards the front I was unaware that he had had to chase to get there.

Good to his word he jumped from about 400 metres and shot up the outside with me on his wheel. The headwind and the chase took it's toll on him leaving me to get 3rd about a length down on the winner and Gibbo claiming 8th on the day.

Warren re-lives the Divs

Below is Warren's report from yesterday's SE Divs Champs - he managed a great result amongst exalted company - Great Ride!


VCM entered 7 riders for the divs run down on the Tenderten course in Kent

Craig Wilson
Duncan Hards
David Creeggan
Jamie Newall
Steven Richards
Warren Jesse
Ben Macland

Myself Steve R and the enemy Tim Elverson drove down together we managed to under estimate just how far away the course is and arrived with about 20 mins to spare much to Tim’s annoyance as he couldn't carry out his usual pre race ritual of warming up on the rollers. Instead of this he decided the best way to warm up would be to attack almost immediately along with another rider. Jamie was prominent on the front early on waiting for his chance to jump but no one else had this idea and the two were left to act as carrots for just over a lap.

When they were inevitably caught it wasn’t long before the next attack went this one looked promising as it consisted of 6 riders including Tim (again) and Steve as well as Dan Duguid of Sigma and Simon McNamara of Wildside, Matt Seaton of Rapha and Keith Goffey of Bec CC. They built up a lead of 1min 40 at one point but the momentum of the bunch was always reasonably high and just as we approached the bottom of the hill for the bell lap they were swallowed up.

Now was my chance after sitting comfortably in the bunch for 5 laps! The usual suspects gathered at the front on the penultimate climb and forged ahead, there were 9 of us which included Sigma riders Gary Dodd and Andy Bye, Wildside rider Chris McNamara, Norwood Paragon riders Chris Moores and Steve Calland as well as John Veness, Richard Hoult and Andy Betts.

It was touch and go at one point round the back of the circuit as we were nearly caught again by the pack. Once the elastic snapped though we were gone and were told we had 40 seconds it was obvious now we weren’t getting caught so could afford the usual cat and mouse tatics. Andy Bye made several attempts to go but wasn’t all that strong and was brought back each time, all this time though Mr Dodd was getting an arm chair ride. At the bottom of the climb I noticed the two Paragon riders talking and the next thing Steve Calland launched a flyer with Chris Moores tuck to his wheel, I responded but the pace was way to quick and by the top of the first section of the climb Steve dropped his anchor and literally stopped! Gary Dodd used this as a launch pad and just rode away from everyone. My legs pretty much folded as we all tried to start the sprint again and got 6th place on the line, David Creeggan managed to get 2nd place in the bunch finish for 10th place. Not a bad effort all round but as the school teachers used to say could have been better..