Welcome to VC Meudon News pages

Quick midweek round-up

At Dunsfold the frolics continued last week with plenty of effort and tactical mullarky all round. Fortunately Jamie at least had a good grasp of what what he wanted in his efforts to win the series and could be heard directing affairs in Godalming. This worked out pretty well with different Meudon riders popping up all over the place competing for the primes. The race ended in a bunch gallop with main competitor Jason Edwards 3rd, just edging Jamie out to 4th, followed by Gianluca in 5th and Ken in 6th. Fortunately Jamie's constant efforts for the primes mean he's now some way ahead in the series.


Over at Eelmore Ken Prince kept up his run of form with 8th behind a Felt 1-2. He says this is his best season and is sure to get his 1st cat by the end of the month. In the 3rds Andy Dilkes was 3rd and looking good for a high placing in the overall series while Gary Buttery has quickly started scoring points since moving up to 3rd cat, finishing in 4th.

In the handicap our best finishers were Ken and Mark B in 13th and 14th, with a group of 9 3rds and 4ths staying away till the end. After last night's Dunsfold, is there a new end of season trend - increased handicapping?

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 11 Result

Races held Wednesday 23rd July 2008

E12
1 Justin Hoy Felt Racing E
2 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E
3 Lewis Atkins www.agiskovinor.com 1
4 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskovinor.com 2
5 Sam Allen I - Team 2J
6 Daniel Duguid Sigma Sport/Specialised/Sportfull 1
7 Anders Christensen Cycle Kingdom Race Team 1
8 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2
9 Neil Cooper AWCycles 2
10 Boyd Roberts www.agiskovinor.com 2
11 John Wager Felt Racing 1
12 Allan Ridler Army Cycling Union 2
13 Paul Pickup Cycle Kingdom Race Team 1
14 Tom Smith AWCycles E
15 Martin Smith AWCycles E


Overall Classification

3/4
1 David Wilson Charlotteville CC 3
2 Andy Hibberd Pedalon.co.uk 3
3 Andrew Dilkes VC Meudon 3
4 Garry Buttery VC Meudon 3V
5 Dave Faulkner Charlotteville CC 3
6 Gavin Morton Godalming Cycles RT 3
7 Mark Cracknell AWCycles.co.uk 3V
8 Toks Adesanya Addiscombe CC 3V
9 Martin Weinberger CC Basingstoke 3
10 Ian Hastings North Hants RC 4


Overall Classification

Youths
Joe McGuiness Palmer Park E 1

MTB National Champs

Deano reports from last weekend's National Mountain Bike Champs held near Ringwood.
Weddings and a pre-ride of the course cut the VCM contingent from 6 to 3, but we also had some travelling support that was much appreciated.

Deano reports:


Crow Hill has a very good selection of single track, short steep climbs and interesting little descents - but beware the roots - all in the middle of the New Forest, Ringwood.

Surprisingly, I was gridded on the third row so tucked in tight on the right hand side against the barriers. I waited for the start, Colin was a row or two behind so the Meudon were ready to pounce. Andy was still waiting to line up for his Grand Vets race.

Our race start had been put back 15 mins and eventually we started and we were off! Cleat collected the pedal and off I went, a bit of shoulder barging and a big effort and I slotted in behind the quick boys in about eighth place, which is where I stayed for a while until the first short steep grassy climb where I lost three of four places. I then settled into my pace and had a good little battle with Ross Porter, an old race mate. It pretty well stayed that way and I kept trying to drop him but he just had the edge on the descents. On the last lap he rode away from me and there was nothing I could do as I started to fade big time! Four or five riders caught and passed me and I just kept pedalling. I finished in 19th place and Colin came 36th. Andy came 21st in the Grand Vets. So a good day all round for VC Meudon.

Thanks also to the Meudon supporters on the day - it all helps!
Deano

LAP TIMES
Deano - 27:45 28:25 29:43 = 01:25:53
Colin - 30:50 32:30 33:29 = 01:36:49
Andy - 34:17 36:45 38:15 = 01:49:17
for reference
LIAM KILLEEN - 22:56 23:13 22:55 22:52 22:58 = 01:54:54 ( or 1:09:04 for first 3 laps !!)

After the race we were able to sit back and watch Liam Killeen demolish the field in a fantastic pre-olympics victory in the main race.

Bob Moore has some photos (we hope) but until then here are some links to Joolze Dymonds pics
Deano
Pic 1

Colin
Pic 1
Pic 2

Andy
Pic 1

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!!!

National Masters RR Championships

On a weekend where two sets of National Championships were held, Pete Wager reports from the Masters Road Race Championships in Hampshire.

Glorious sunshine, patchy clouds and a moderate wind greeted us lucky mortals that entered the National Masters RR Championships (30-34 & 35-39) last Sunday, July 20th. Just over 9 laps of the Small Morestead Circuit in Hampshire lay ahead of us and there was a rumour going round it was quite a tough 'rolling' course. The race had both age groups riding together with 15 Juniors including myself, the only Meudon with Justin Hoy, Felt Racing and then 25 seniors including Tim Elverson and my bro, John Wager, Felt Racing.

Out of the neutralised zone the road goes skywards and the attacks start and seem to never end. Tim Elverson, Martin Smith, Grant Bayton and the Team Corley duo all taking turns to make us all suffer. A few individuals made brave efforts to go it alone but nothing stuck and I was secretly hoping it might stay together. Coming towards the end of the 2nd lap and a few strong digs over the rolling roads created a split. I spotted the move but was boxed in the bunch and nearly hit the deck as I tried to get my wheel around the rider in front. Managed to pull my foot out and save a dive on the tarmac. Having regained my footing I went after the group of about 7 riders. Giving it everything up the long drag towards the finish area I managed to pull back some distance and had gapped from the main bunch but I was now well into the red. At that moment a red flash AKA 'The Hoy' went passed me swiftly followed by Grant Bayton and Andy Lyons - try as I could there was no way I could get on their wheels for a tow up to the now vanishing lead group.

Dropping back to the bunch and everyone just gave up - no one wanted to chase or get organised and we still had 7 laps to go!!!!

I managed to get away with Darrell Pembroke, Agisko, and we worked well for a couple laps getting around 30 seconds over the bunch but the time gap to the leaders was now going up and up - 8 minutes with 4 laps to go. Mark Jervis, Python Racing Team, joined us and then my brother John Wager got across on the 6th lap which added strength in numbers and looked like we might get something working but the bunch had other ideas and chased us down! But then promptly sat up!!!!!

Into the final laps now and the leaders were 16 minutes clear - one of the Python Racing Team had gone it alone and was followed by 'Mini Me' Dave Coulson, Sport Beans - Wilier. Mark Jervis, Python RT, then gave it a good dig going up the long climb and I was prompted to go after him by a big push from my brother and I'm glad I committed. We were joined by two others and worked all the way round the final lap pulling out just over a minute from the bunch by the finish. 4 up final sprint and I was in a world of pain but still managed to get across the line 2nd of the group and a rather encouraging 5th place in my age group and 16th overall, even if I was @ 17.07 behind the winner!!

Well done Justin for 3rd place in the juniors race - another medalion for the collection!

Pete

30 -34
1. Matthew HIGGINS Team Corley Cycles / Corley Cycles
2. Richard CARTLAND Team Corley Cycles / Corley Cycles
3. Justin HOY Felt Racing
4. Colin PARRY VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
5. Peter WAGER VC Meudon
6. Simon SMITH John's Bikes RT
7. Scott WALKER Hinckley CRC / MW Technical Services Ltd /Bikes & Sports
8. Darrell PEMBROKE www.agiskoviner.com / Agiskoviner.com/For Goodness Shakes
9. Boyd ROBERTS www.agiskoviner.com / Agiskoviner.com/For Goodness Shakes
10. Jason HUMPHRIES Norwood Paragon CC

35 - 39
1. Martin SMITH awcycles.co.uk / Onefish Twofish/Giant Bikes/Fulcrum Wheels
2. Dan STAITE Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
3. Andy LYONS Heron Cyclesport / Green Jersey Design/Thomas Gunn/Schwalbe
4. Grant BAYTON Sport Beans - Wilier / Sport Beans/Jelly Belly / Wilier / Steele Davis
5. Nigel WILLIAMS Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
6. Tim ELVERSON Felt Racing
7. Simon WARREN Norwood Paragon CC
8. James SMITH Team Certini / Certini / Specialized
9. Mark WILLIAMS Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
10. Dave COULSON Sport Beans - Wilier / Sport Beans/Jelly Belly / Wilier / Steele Davis
11. Mark JERVIS Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
12. Justin CALLAWAY DHCyclesport.co.uk
13. John WAGER Felt Racing
14. Neil WHITE Bristol Road Club
15. Chris SMITH Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
16. Paul MACE High Wycombe CC / Cycle Care / Professional IT / Infastructure
17. Simon HALL Andover Wheelers

Team radios at Hungry Hill - the h'cap

It wasn't until Ken pointed out that there was a clue in "Hungry Hill" that I realised it was going to be a bit more rolling than normal. And so it proved with a long uphill drag before the flag. 


Going off in a group with Bob and Colin and adding a bit of interest to the race were three of the Halfords women's team complete with radios and team car. With the last two groups off merging early on, it took two laps of driving on led by the Norwood Paragon contingent to catch this group. Finally with one lap to go the 4ths and the lead car were in sight and a full field finish beckoned.

Then came the attacks with man on the comeback trail, Dave Creeggan going with about a kilometer to go. Dave was then swallowed up by more attacks before Bob Moore went at the bottom of the hill. This was then followed by Mike Hawkins and Gary Dodd. With our handicap specialist Mark B's words of advice about following Gary Dodd ringing in our ears Ken and I chased after him. At which point we remembered the bit about being lucky to get round him. I seem to remember Mike Hawkins putting his hands in the air to celebrate or at least shouting as I trailed in 4th with Ken just behind in 5th. Later back at the car park we discovered a lone 4th cat had been a minute up the road knocking us all back a place.


Jamie's Review - now listen up..

Hi Guys
Sorry for the delay in respond too many spams to filter through - why do I get so many!!!
My 1st Cat Licence
1st cat yep I got the paperwork through - very surprised how many chipper points I have picked up doing only a handful of races.
I might join Tim/Justin and race Portsmouth to get my Elite......only joking that is chipper!!
As long as I can do the 3day at Easter next year - it will be good.

Good luck this weekend at Nationals.
Pre ride sat - then plan race in your head at bedtime.
Go hard as nails for first 15mins - settle in and try and go just as fast for next few laps.
If it gets muddy don't be scared it can be your friend- mud warriors.

Eelmore 2 weeks ago.
Another Fuzy Felt victory.
We tried hard to break them, Anders having a good go to shale things up - we have missed him.
He still can make the legs scream.
7 away with only one Felt - Juzy - Lewis and Lee aggadoo
Martin Smith from AW always a tough guy and trained killer, I always remember that when I see others mouth off to him, when too hard turns or lack of them. Best to keep quiet he could kill!!! Chris Minter one of my MTB hard nut buddies always willing to work his socks off.
The evergreen Anders - missing Paul - although I am not sure he can hurt you even more than Anders.....
Myself, still a bit tired from Mayhem - 24hour races take so much out of you!!!

We all worked hard but could not shake the group - it was always going to Hoyboy - so so strong down that back straight.
Last lap Anders goes early - we all sit and wait - Chris chases - all latch on.
Great last corner by Lewis and Juzy then the big motors up the drag strip.
Justin all over - Anders dying 1000 deaths with Lewis and myself filling the podium places, just.
My £5 towards a shabby bottle of red wine from Offie on the way home for supper with our guest Chris Remnant.
I had to get Pizza as Mrs Newall could not be arsed to cook.
I think I need a hoilday in Devon - (rained every day at some stage- tops)

Dunsfold report from this week.
I arrived after hearing what 13 of the squadra performed last week.
Not best pleased.
I was throwing money and favours in the carpark for Anders and Paul Pickup to help the Newall out with the Light blue army.
They both agreed and we were going to rip the race to shreds!!!!!

Keith Butler started us at about 19.30 to try and catch the groups.
Bit windy down back straight 22mph - home straight 33mph - spinning the 12!!
When we caught the groups - a few missing stealing my primes - so need to work hard to get those boys back.

Eventually Anders did a monster turn shelling all the Wildsiders - sweet.
Paul, Anders, Captain Callard myself and a couple of rogue Brighton Mitre 3rds still hanging on.
I was in control lapping up those primes - 13 points in total - nice.
3 to go - Paul goes again with me and Callard.
2 to go Callard gets dropped or pulls up???
Last lap Paul and I duke out for the win.
He helped me get away and get all those primes.
Did I sprint for 1st - no bloody way.
2nd is good for overall and good to keep your allies close!!

Wildside only managed 9th and no primes
4 races left - Still bit to do but looks good.
Tuesday night Dunsfold - its a cracker!!!!

Jamie

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 10 Result

Races held Wednesday 16th July 2008

E12
1 Justin Hoy Felt Racing E
2 Lewis Atkins www.agiskovinor.com 2
3 Simon Ernest AWCycles.co.uk 2
4 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E
5 Sam Allen I-Team 2J
6 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskovinor.com 2
7 Nick Onslow Pedalon.co.uk 2
8 Adrian Goatley www.agiskovinor.com 2
9 John Wager Felt Racing
10 Jamie Newall VC Meudon 1
11 Mike Cripps Army Cycling Union 2
12 Christopher Minter Pedalon.co.uk 2
13 Adrian Lansley Pedalon.co.uk 1
14 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2
15 Gianluca Coppelo VC Meudon 1V

Overall Classification

3/4
1 Martin Weinbeiger CC Basingstoke 3
2 Mark Westwood Team MK 3
3 Darren Parker Python RT 3
4 Andy Hibberd Pedalon.co.uk 4
5 David Wilson Charlotteville CC 3
6 Andrew Dilkes VC Meudon 3
7 Richard Jerome Willesden CC 3
8 Gavin Morton Godalming Cycles RT 3
9 Keith Brooks VC Meudon 3V
10 Paul Cooper Private Member 3V

Overall Classification

Youths
Joe McGuiness Palmer Park E 1

Buttery up.

Gary reports from Chertsey:

"After listening to all advice from fellow club members about "keeping off the front" and "do as little as possible" it has definitely paid off. With this advice firmly stuck in place I've moved to 3rd cat in two races at MOD Chertsey. Both races went according to plan apart from Saturday when I tried a loner with three laps to go and then got reeled back in (the exuberance of youth). I was ready for the sprint finish however inexperience again denied me a higher finishing spot. Thanks for the advice." 

Gianluca represents at Fowlmead

Only arriving back from a trip away the night before Gianluca made the trip down to Kent as our lone(?) representative in the Fowlmead LVRC races. Here's his report ..
"As for me in the end I went to Fowlsmead. I only decided in the morning as I got back from Phoenix the evening before.

It was roughly 80 km race and after several attempts I have eventually managed to break away with Meilak, Bates (both cat A) and Malcom Whitehead.
We did half of the race away.
At the sprint I was feeling tired (jetlag, no training whatsoever during the week, lack of sleep etc) and Andrew Meilak has beaten me fair and square.
Bates got 3rd and Whitehead 4th (1st of his category). The bunch was probably 2 minues behind."
- Well done Gianluca for consecutive 2nd places and a move up the overal rankings in the A category.

Thankfully Whitehead was the first B Category finisher preventing Craig's overall lead being eroded too much. But that will tighten up affairs just behind in the race for the minor places.
More detailed results when we get them...

Oakley Village Road Race

Ben, Bob, Keith and Alan Clarke rode the Oakley Village Road Race for 2/3's on saturday
Keith reports ....

"…carnival atmosphere with village fete, Mick Clarke doing commentary from the stage, music etc but it was flat, narrow, terrible road surface and very fast..thought I was going to be dropped for first 2 (of 6 ) laps but hung on to finish…amazingly a small group, including the animator of the day, 16 year old Chris Legg, who won the senior event at this year's Guildford Crits got away at the end and just hung on from the 55 up bunch….Ben and Bob got stuck in for the sprint, Ben got 9th,a creditable result. What I couldn’t understand is that it was the hardest race I’ve done for years yet no one was dropped!!!

Gibbo rides the Marmotte

Gibbo's brief report....
"Despite nearly killing me I loved it. It was going okay until I got cramp & 'hot foot' a few Kms from the top of the Galibier. I had to stop, take my shoes off and rest and at this point, barely over 1/2 way I thought I'd DNF. After a rest I struggled over the top and a 25m descent helped me recover. Once I found myself at the foot of Le Alpe I was determined to finish even if it killed me. It nearly did. I had cramp in so many places, had to take another shoe-off break but eventually made the top after 9hrs 6mins of pain! I'm going back next year, lighter, fitter and with lower gears (I forgot to mention being overgeared, and the back & neck ache).

No.10 did a brilliant ride and nearly caught me. Trevor finished a bit later but did very well to get around.

No more racing for me this year. I'm taking a long break.

For another Marmotte experience read about Andrew Bye of Sigma Sport riding for 9th
http://andrewbye.blogspot.com/

Unlucky 13

Even with 13 riders taking the start line we were only able to get one rider into the top 13 at Dunsfold this week. (correction - well done Ken!)
That was bad enough, but with Jason Edwards taking first place together with 15 prime points, no one dared to ring Jamie and spoil his holiday with the bad news.
Jamie still has a healthy lead in the overall table but last night's result makes Jason a closer second, so we may need to recruit some more firepower for the final 5 events.

Roger Morgan made a welcome return to the "Fold" and even though he said he was lacking his top end, featured at the head of the field throughout.

The format was a scratchicap, otherwise known as E/1/+alsorans and it wasn't long before the faster riders were putting the hammer down. In typical form it was a repeated series of attacks that finally released a select group of 5 from the pack. The breakaway included a rejuvenated Paul Pickup in Kingdom colours, Toby Neave, Glaysher and 2 Wildsides so they had plenty of horsepower to drag themselves away into a comfortable lead.

Nick tried to marshall the VCM domestiques into a chase(before he punctured), but even with 2 Morgans, Ben, Ken, Keith, James, Jim, Russell, Alan, + Derek lending a hand, we made no impression. The Wildside Macnatwins were happy to sit back and watch the break ride away as they saved their legs for the next day's Guildford Crits.

LVRC Kirdford UPDATED

Afternoon race for ABC's (under 55s)

The ABC's lined for the South Western Vets race - the 5th in the South East LVRC series. Due to the local village fete the circuit was re-routed to a shorter circuit. After 2 laps it soon became clear that if we were to cover the full 10 laps then we might travel nearly 90 miles - far too much for such a bunch of old men.

After 2 laps the break went with the big hitters including Terry Morgan and (already in his 2nd break of the day) our VCM teammate Gianluca Capello. With 8 up the road including Craig Wilson's and Martin Hulbert's main challengers in the B and C age category it was panic stations in the bunch. Sterling efforts by Tim Costellara doing his best impression of an (old) motorbike (with hayfever) kept the break at under 2 minutes. Thankfully the race was shortened by 2 laps and, with the break well gone, the remainder of the field broke up leaving 5 Vecchi's, Martin Hulbert from VCM and a few others in a chasing group. Into the last 2 laps Martin and Ashley Holding jumped away to take 7th and 8th. The Vecchi team trial squad of Costello, Morgan (having dropped back to help the chase) Addison and Jarrett towed a failing Wilson to the finish where they virtually had to push the miserable mess, resplendent in his all white outfit, across the line to take some points to defend his jersey. With Wilson across the line, Colin Addison led in Keith Jarrett and Terry Morgan.

A big thank you to the team who went well beyond the call of duty to protect the jersey. Hopefully I will return from holiday well rested and able to do the support justice!
(report supplied by CraigW)

Gianluca persevered in the break and crossed the line 4th in the race and 2nd A Cat.


Morning race for DEF's (over 55's)

Sat AM LVRC Kirdford; The cricket at Plaistow hadn’t started so the old boys were able to use the bigger Kirdford circuit which also included the finish hill and the climb up to Plaistow each lap… the blustery wind (was it ever behind us?) and the two drags each lap together with the constant attacking meant that a few of the less fit were soon struggling to stay with the bunch. At times it looked like one of the many attacks would succeed however it wasn’t until just under a lap to go that the real damage occurred.

A fast ascent of the finish hill left some struggling and a counter on the next drag saw a stretched out bunch and a select group of 5 pulled away consolidating the gap with a very quick descent to Kirdford. Seeing the danger 5 more got across forming a group of 10 at the front with just 10k to go and although this group, containing most of the leaders of the series, did not get themselves organised the wind had gone out of the chasers and that was it.

With 7k to go Dave Worsfold and ex Condor pro Barry Jones clipped away with the others looking at each other, 4k to go Tony Woodcock sprinted across to the leading two quickly followed by myself expecting the rest to follow but they hesitated and we were away. On the finishing climb I crept past Dave and Barry and expected Tony to come by but all the work he had done during the race took its toll and he took second and first in his age group. (Leaving KB to cruise over the line for another win and an even bigger lead in the overall series - Ed)

(report supplied by KeithB)

In the overall series we still have leaders in the B & E categories with CraigW and KeithB. MartinH lies 2nd in the C category standings and Gianluca (starting the series part way through) has a good chance of moving up to 2nd in the A's (if he rides well in all the remaining rounds)

Beards, al Qaeda, synchronised sprinting - the h'cap

Doing the handicap for a change I arrived early to find one other car and the police. Expecting some objection to the race we were surprised to be asked why we were parked below tree cover directly under the Heathrow flight path. These were the anti-terrorist squad and they were (really) checking we had bikes in the back and not surface to air missiles. 


Lining up with Ken Prince,  Mark Bremner and Bob Moore we set off 38 minutes behind the 3rd cats and 50 behind the 4ths which would explain why we didn't catch any of them until one and a half laps to go, despite being driven on by Darrell Pembroke and Andy Betts. With no lead car in sight Mark reckoned there were still at least ten away. This led to what seemed a less serious than normal sprint led out by Mark and the Twickenham Beardy bloke. Ken and Bob were smartly through and I (forewarned by Keith that he uses the beard to repel all adversaries) hesitated before squeezing through to make sure we finished all 4 Meudons in a row. Then we found out there were only four away, so we were a neat and tidy 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. Which was nice.

Muedon's Monday laps field

Last week Jo slipped off to Crystal Palace to ride in the Tuesday night crit series. Despite riding under a pseudonym and with a disguised club name, Keith spotted the result.


Jo lapped the field with Charlotte Blackman, but was edged out by a couple of centimetres in the sprint.

1. Charlotte Blackman, London Dynamo
2. Jo Munday, VC Muedon
3. Jenny Lloyd Jones, London Dynamo

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 9 Result/Report

Races on Weds 2nd July

3/4
1 Scott Forbes Pedalon.co.uk 4 10
2 Nick Onslow Pedalon.co.uk 3 9
3 Steve Smith Python RT 3 8
4 James Bracey VC Meudon 4 7
5 Andy Hibberd Pedalon.co.uk 4 6
6 David Wilson Charlotteville CC 3 5
7 Nick Evans Beyond/Specialized 3 4
8 Keith Brooks VC Meudon 3V 3
9 Terry Morgan VC Meudon 3V 2
10 Chris Remnant V.S. Narbonnais 3 1

Overall Classification

A fast race again with a sizeable field including a few new faces… however it was dominated by the Pedalon guys who seemed determined to get away and made all the early breaks. Eventually one of them clipped off getting a decent gap and despite a lot of chasing the bunch made little impression until another Pedalon attacked and quickly motored up to his teamate. From then on it was “game over” as although the bunch kept the speed high the Pedalons pedalled away even passing the E/1/2s at one point and continued for a convincing win. Last weeks winner Steve Smith Python RT used his strong sprint to snatch the gallop for third and VC Meudon's fast improving James Bracey just beating another Pedalon for fourth… Well done to Scott Forbes, Nick Onslow and Andy Hibberd the Pedalon trio who were very impressive on the night and help make it a tough race.


E/1/2
1 Justin Hoy Felt Racing E 15
2 Lewis Atkins www.agiskovinor.com 2 14
3 Jamie Newall VC Meudon 2 13
4 Anders Christensen Cycle Kingdom RT 1 12
5 Lee Smith www.agiskovinor.com 1 11
6 Martin Smith AW Cycles E 10
7 Chris Minter Pedalon.co.uk 2 9
8 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E 8
9 John Wager Felt Racing 1 7
10 Tom Smith AW Cycles E 6
11 Sam Allen I - Team 2J 5
12 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskovinor.com 2 4
13 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2 3
14 Adrian Goatley www.agiskovinor.com 2 2
15 Rob King Reading C C 2 1

Overall Classification

New Pattern @Dunsfold

The established pattern of racing at Dunsfold was turned on it's head last night as a new scenario unfolded and VCM riders were taught a lesson in tactics by the WildSiders.

Unusually, the customery coming together of all riders followed by a select breakaway of series contenders breaking away after a prime did not happen. In fact a break of around 10 able riders made up of 2nd and 3rd Cats like Dave Kennett and Phil Watkins went clear before the elites could move to the front. Of course that suited the Wildsiders down to the ground as Jamie was then unable to hoover up his weekly crop of prime points. Wildside were content to leave the break hanging out front until near the end, while the VCM riders failed to organise a powerful chase as soon as possible. Jamie made several lone attempts to stir things up but working alone was unlikely to succeed. Also when he decided to hitch a ride on the Richard Prebble "Last Lap Express", valuable energy for the final sprint was expended.

There was still a chance for Jamie as all that was required was a watching brief on series challenger Jason Edwards, but it all went wrong in the finale and even though 3 VCM riders featured in the top 10, Jamie was not one of them and Edwards took his second consecutive win to close the gap on Jamie in the series.
Strong riding by Nick, Craig and Ken in the finish for high placings.

Do we need to be more tactically astute or do we just need to talk to each other ?!

1 Jason Edwards Wildside RT 1 1:22:50
2 Tom Copeland In Gear Development 1 2
3 Ashley Holding Wildside RT 2V 4
4 Nick Allen VC Meudon 3
5 Simon McNamara Wildside RT 1
6 Toby Neave Southdown Velo E
7 Craig Wilson VC Meudon 2V
8 Philip Watkins Old Portlians CC 2V 5
9 Daniel Clark Brighton Mitre 2
10 Ken Prince VC Meudon 2 3
11 Paul Gosling Bayeux Landscapes 2V 4
12 Chris Remnant VS Narbonnats 3
13 Nathan Dye Brighton Mitre 3
14 Mark Sussex Wildside RT 2
15 Mark Trevis Southdown Velo 2
16 Martyn Potter Brighton Mitre 2 1
17 Lee Smith agiskoviner.com 1
18 David Kennett Norwood Paragon CC 2V 8
19 Doug Baldock Beyond Mountain Bikes 3
20 Andy Bristow AD Cycles RT 3V
21 Jamie Newall VC Meudon 2 3

Roundup inc. CK Classic

The Cycle Kingdom Classic was again a race for the hardriders, splitting on the first lap with Steve Richards in the front group, but with plenty of quality remaining in the bunch - including Warren, Justin Hoy, and Gary Dodd - they couldn't relax with lots of climbing to come. However the gap was never bridged and Chris McNamara escaped with two others and then finished a lone and worthy winner. Steve finished a fine 7th, just in front of Tim and John, with Pete Wager also putting in a solid ride just outside the top 20.


At Dunsfold the Meudons showed some teamwork in support of Jamie's effort to win the series. With Jamie getting in the winning break, myself and then Nick Allen got across in support. While main competitor Jason Edwards picked up the win, Jamie picked up plenty of prime points and Nick was third in the gallop.

Eelmore was less productive than normal with midweek leaders Jamie (resting) and Dave Creeggan (injured) not riding, leaving Pete Wager and Ken Prince to pick up our only placings. The race was won in a fearsome sprint by John Wager, just holding off Tim and Lewis Atkins.
In the 3rds consistent Andy Dilkes put in another good performance to come home in 3rd.

On Thursday our man at the handicaps Mark Bremner managed to miss the break much to his annoyance, but rescued the evening by winning the bunch sprint for 7th.

At Chertsey on Saturday Gaz Buttery curbed his hardworking instincts in the 4ths and grabbed 6th in the inevitable bunch sprint in his efforts to get his 3rd cat licence. In the E12 Keith Jarrett was best of the Meudons in 10th, with Ken and myself picking up the very minor placings.

Meanwhile on Sunday Martin Hulbert was busy at the LVRC at Wareham, attacking on the hill to get a break of six going then whittling it down to four. Martin got second in the four up sprint and first C, with Rob Cranstone 4th overall and 1st B.

And finally having won the 3rds at Chertsey with his usual convincing style Nick Allen can no longer claim to be "still a 3rd cat". He's won 5 races, one third, and he's packed and braked in points paying positions, but the inevitable has happened.