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Pete grabs some final points

Pete Wager reports from the Last Chance Points Grabber 08 (ERRL)

Sunday 28th September - It was clear blue sky and dead calm for the full field of 60 riders lining up at the Last Chance Points Grabber. I'm still chasing (chipping) my 1st Cat license so this was a must on the race calendar and also came as a recommendation from John W who won this event in 2005. His heads up on the course was, as always, invaluable!!

A full field rolled out of Whitwell village at around 0900hrs on the Sunday morning for 7 laps, primes on each, of rolling Hertfordshire roads. Most teams had only a couple of riders with the exception of Finchley RT who were riding for there man on form Edgar Madeline with 5 riders. I was the lone rider for VC Meudon. First 4 laps and the field stayed together with the occasional few chipping off the front to try and get a break going or just to get the prime money available each time through the finish - I won the 4th prime having been pipped on the line for the 3rd.

It was clear Finchley RT were controlling the race so any move that didn't contain Edgar was going get chased and anything that did then they would block the bunch - perfect. Each time up the long drag to St.Paul's Walden the pressure was applied and I made sure I was near the front or on the front. Just over 2 laps to go and Flavio Zappi (Oxford Uni CC) gave it a little dig over the top and dragged 7 others with him including me - sticking firmly to his wheel - a quick look round and we had 30 metres on the bunch and 2 Finchley Rt riders with us including Edgar - the break was ON!! We nailed it down the decent and along to the start/finish area with everyone pulling hard to extend the advantage. A couple of riders tried to bridge the gap but as soon as we hit the head wind section they lost any chance of making contact.

The 8 of us kept the pressure on and extended the lead throughout the lap and through to the bell with a comfortable 2 minutes over the bunch. Final time up the climb and the pace was steady but I noticed Edgar had dropped to the back. A few moments later he attacked with Flavio Zappi going with him - I spotted the danger and immediately bridged. The group did not chase deciding they could catch us on the decent. In the last 100m of the climb Flavio again turned up the heat and Edgar did not respond turning to me to chase - a few words were exchanged by which time Flavio had noticed the hesitation and given it full gas over the top and into the decent. We were left to chase and the group behind left to chase us.

At the base of the decent we turned left for the final 3km to the finish area - Flavio maintained a 15 second advantage - I was forced to do the lion share of the chasing as I was after the points more than the glory - Edgar sitting on in the last km completely. Up the ramp to the finish and he swung passed me but I was done and content with 3rd place and 21 points. The bunch, unable to catch us on the run in, coming in a further 20 seconds back . Flavio was a worthy winner - he was a Pro in the 80's with results that include 12th at Milan San Remo 1984 plus 2nd in the Mountains Classification in the 1984 Giro !!! Someone to watch out for next season now he's a 1st CAT :)

Goodwood circuit race and the Ottershaw series to go!!

see you there
Pete W

Six Ride the Picardie

Not even car breakdowns or tunnel fires could stop the intrepid 6 reaching the start line in Abbeville for a fantastic day of fine weather and great riding in the french countryside.
Results of noteworthy rides in 187Km and 131km events below:

Pos No - Name - Cat Time Country
1 - 237 - AUDOUX BEN - D - 04:48:46:000 - FRA
22 - 639 - ROSHIER COLIN - E - 04:54:49:000 - ANG
61 - 17 - MARIE THIERRY - E - 04:58:10:000 - FRA
79 - 587 - WOODCOCK TONY - G - 05:08:32:000 - ANG
86 - 745 - WILSON CRAIG - E - 05:08:33:000 - ANG
106 - 230 - COLIN ADDISON - E - 05:09:35:000 - ANG
240 - 539 - BROOKS KEITH - G - 05:24:25:000 - ANG
323 - 702 - CLARKE ALAN - F - 05:54:27:000 - ANG
349 - 548 - GRANT ANDY - F - 06:09:02:000 - ANG


Pos No Name - - time - cat - Country
1 - 262 - TRIBOUT BART - 03:24:40:000 - C - BEL
72 - 541 - COPPOLA DERICK - 03:44:39:000 - E - ANG

Glorious Cutmill Races

Warren's Surrey League Cutmill races went ahead in fine style with great organisation, great weather, great racing and worthy winners. Thanks to all the helpers and especially Mrs Warren who was magnificent in the kitchen!

In the 3rds a lone sole breakaway rider held out until 1 lap to go when Sebastian Ader of A3CRG burst through the field to secure an impressive solo victory. Our own Russell Scott was unlucky to break a spoke on the last lap but still rode on to finish.

I can still picture Ben's face as he realised the class of field that was preparing to contest the afternoon E12 65miler. With Dave Clarke (Team Lacuna), Alex Higham (fresh from his unfair disqualification in the ToB), Betts, Dodd, MacNaTwins, Gower, Atkins, Pickup et al the race was sure to be hard.
Martin Hulbert started proceedings with his trademark early attack that saw him form a 3 man break with Roger Smith and Chris MacNamara but after a couple of laps that was neutralised until Dave Clarke surged the climb to take a solo lead which he held and extended to the line for an impressive win. Power-rider Paul Holdsworth made a rare reappearance on the road race scene and finished a fine 2nd. Of the VCM team Stephen Richards rode well for 10th, with Ben riding strongly and Roger riding on will power to both finish in the bunch. Dave Creegan was a DNF with seizing brakes (although it took him a few laps to realise!)








Gorrick 12hr race report

Warren reports ...

Myself, David Creeggan and Steven Richards competed in Saturdays 12hr MTB race held on a new course in Minley.

In typical Gorrick manner the course was a true mountain biker's one ‘lots and lots of twisty single track and bumpy sections’ with not a lot of opportunity for us roadies to exploit our pure ‘power’ We had good intentions especially with Jamie headlining as our captain but it was not to be, so we had to make do with 3 of us, Jamie was still on hand to offer some advise being a 24hr veteran himself. The main thing was eat and drink, keep warm and keep the bike clean! This was all well and good but the deluge of rain meant we were in for a muddy 12hrs. In fairness to the course it was all rideable.

I was nominated to set us on our way and came in at the end of the first lap in 3rd place setting up Steve for his maiden lap, about 10 mins in though I received a call on my mobile, his chain had snapped! In these events you are supposed to fix any problems yourself but seeing as we all had the same numbers on our bikes I went and found him and gave him my bike to finish his lap on! Dave then set off on his lap we were down in around 8th place now in the teams race so had our work cut out especially as pretty much all other teams had 4 riders.

By the time the night set in we had clawed our way up to 4th place with not much chance of getting any higher but plenty of opportunity to slip back down. We thought we had used our bad luck but approx 1.5miles from the end of my 4th lap my derailleur wrapped itself up and I had to run to the finish. By now the average lap time was up about 10 mins longer than the daytime laps but we were all pretty consistent. I managed to get my bike into surgery and it came out hanging on and was able to give me one more lap.

All in all good fun, we were all pretty battered as we are all soft roadies and had various aches mainly in the upper body regions but was certainly worth doing and we ended the night in 4th place in the teams, again not a bad effort, with Jamie on board I reckon we could have challenged for 3rd easily.

I have learnt that I wouldn’t want to do a 24hr version and that there are some mental people around especially the ones that want to ride these things solo.

Warren Jesse

Report from our 55year old Pro in Spain

Another update of Martin Rutherford's 2008 season in Murcia, Spain.
After a 3 week rest at the end of June ( it gets a bit hot to race then - what a shame! - Ed) , the races in the area re-started end of July for me with a 70k circuit race in Almoradi (Alicante region). 95 riders on a 4k per lap. Started off very fast – one long line for 3 laps, unable to move up, just hanging on to the wheel in front, small groups of 4-5 riders trying to get away but coming back with the constant pressure of the peleton. Three laps to go, group of 5 are away with one of my team-mates in it, the rest of our team are on the front of the bunch to slow things down (only problem is our man in the break is no sprinter). Final lap and as predicted our man is 5th. I come in at front end of the peleton (32nd). Our team are all in the prizes, our man in the break collapsed at the finish and taken to the local hospital, the reason for this as I forgot to mention was the race started at 6pm and the temperature was 38!!!

August….Monday, normally a holiday time for Spain but there are plenty of races but quite a bit of travelling. The temperatures are up to 40+ and next race is Callosa de Seguro (Alicante region again). Big race this, as there are a lot of big teams from all over the South East including World Masters Champion and Graham Baxter back from his Tour de France trips….he said he wanted to win today as he has a bit of rivalry with the World Champion. Big field, 138 riders, 6k circuit, 85k. This is the first time in a race this year I have taken 2 bottles, because I have no team help on the side of the road this week, but I do have a race procedure. Before the races I eat one banana, small cake or bar, small bottle of isostar and half bottle of water. I’m “sloshing” around a bit for a couple of laps but am self sufficient if I have no helper on the road. Race starts at normal race pattern, first 3 laps at 55k per hour, not very eventful until last 5 laps when Baxter and World Champ and 10 others get away to fight out the finish. World Champ wins, Baxter 9th, me in bunch 40th. No prize this time for any of our team.

The following Wednesday the team move north to Alforrasi (Valencia region). The circuit is 8k round but so hard it’s a cross between Cutmill and Guildford Crit. 80 start, 75k, 38 degrees at 5.30pm. Not a good day for our Team as I puncture after 1 lap (thank god!), 1 rider crashes and the other 2 get blown out the back. 34 finish, Baxter second, World Champ wins again!

Still in August, most of the team have a weeks holiday so Martine and I move west to Roquetas de Mar (Almeria). The plan is to have the race and then spend the afternoon there on the beach and have dinner enroute home. It was a bit of a rush when we arrived as was told it started at 12.00 initially, but at sign on at 11.20 the start is now 11.30 !!! Not many riders today, but it was open to elite riders of Almeria. 42 riders, 85k, 3.5k circuit, 38 degrees at 11.30 – phew. After 2 laps, small group away of 8 riders. The main group is chasing hard and get within 4 seconds but 2 riders from lead group push on. This effort from the front group opens the gap, I try to jump across but don’t have the strength or leg power to close on them. I get to a handful of seconds with 4 other riders and then give it up. The main peleton have a few more attacks but in the end we line up for the sprint, 18th overall, no prize. Great afternoon on the beach and good meal in Mojacar on way home.

Pick up some more kit ready for the heavy programme of races at the end of the year and the following Sunday full squadra out for a crit in San Bartolome (Alicante). 5.30 start, very warm, still 40 degrees at 3pm when the van picks me up. Small twisting circuit this. I quite like it because Spanish riders are not the best on corners, 82 riders, 70k. Race is off like a rocket. One long line but bunching up on the tight corners and stretching out on the straights. Not much happening as riders go out the back every lap. I am suffering so much today that I get dropped with 3 laps to go, with 3 other riders and end up 27th…..LAST OF THE FINISHERS. Some 6 foot, 6inch Dutch rider wins on his own, looks like a 20 year old pro from Rabobank on some stuff, if you get my drift !!!!

All for now, next report end of October.

Late Report - Vets 2 Day 9/10 August

Keith Brooks and myself travelled up to the Malverns to contest the Ernie Clements Memorial 2 Day LVRC race.

An early start to get to the race on saturday morning involved missing the Olympic Mens Road Race and when we were greeted by low cloud over the Malvern hills & heavy rain, things did not look promising. Then more worries as we were faced with a changing room full of ex-Pros and Vets World champions (well 2 or 3 of them), all taking their warm-up for the short (1.3 miles) prologue very seriously.

Colin was first off and what had looked to be an easy ride on a downhill course actually turned out to be a slog into a block headwind and speed was hard to come by. Also using Craig's shop-Zipp 404's Keith met the same conditions and struggled to get the Colnago moving. Duly finishing 11th and 7th in our respective categories we were already languishing after stage 1.

A long wait, loooking out at more rain preceeded the afternoon Stage 2. Fortunately the weather perked up and the six laps of a grippy rolling circuit was more productive. Colin's race - the action came thick and fast in the ABC race, with yellow jersey, Nick Yarworth VC St Raphael and other GC contenders, jumping into every move for the first part of the race but eventually the continous accelerations took their toll and a 5 man break was allowed to go clear. They quickly built a 3 minute lead before the chasing resumed. I just managed to claw my way into a big split with 10 miles to go but the bunch returned to full strength as we started the last lap. With around 5 miles to go I attacked to test the water and instead of being chased down I was joined by 2 other riders and we worked well staying clear to the finish. I ended-up 8th on the stage, 30 seconds up on the bunch. Much to my surprise I was now 2nd on GC in category B. Keith's race - A similar race with plenty of hard racing but a field of well-matched contenders kept things together - It all built up to an almighty (and fairly dangerous bunch sprint) won by ex-Pro ( and thoroughly nice bloke) Graham moore - Bristol RC. Keith was up in the action but just out of the placings.


Sunday morning dawned and we passed all kinds of weather on the way to the HQ but again the rain held off for most of the stage. Sadly the wind did not and a fierce gale blew all around the circuit and slowed the race to around 10 mph up the finishing straight.

Colin's race report - With different people riding with different priorities ( one overall GC and 3 category GC's to contend) it was difficult to monitor all moves and work out which were important. Just like the previous stage, lots of attacks, lots of chasing until finally one was allowed some leeway. All the GC leaders thought it was safe to let them go, but none had accounted for the strength of one of the riders in there. With just 2 others for company, Simon Alexander (Wyre Forest CRC)( and 2nd in the Dartmoor Classic Sportive 2007) rode the remaining 2 hours of the race off the front, building a 5 minute lead at one point.

That struck fear into the other top 5 GC riders and a fast co-operative chase continued for the final 20 miles. I was content to sit in for the ride, knowing there was nothing in it for me to assist, but more to gain from shadowing Nick Yarworth who was 5 seconds behind me on GC. Into the headwind finishing straight and plenty of attempts to attack into the wind faltered, allowing me to slide up into 3rd in the sprint as the line approaced, for 6th place on the stage. Nick Yarworth pipped me for the 5 second 5th place bonus so I finished joint 4th on GC.

Keith raced the same long windy circuit over a 50 mile distance. Various attacks gained only small time gaps with plenty of category contenders happy to chase every move. Then finally, small bloke Kevin Shand - West Pennine got a small gap which he amazingly held over 2 laps to take the line 20 seconds clear and steal the overall.
Keith finished 9th on GC, which, with everyone in the E category finishing the road races together, was decided on prologue times and time bonuses.

Hearts First Bike Ride Haslemere Off-Road 2008

For anyone interested in an organised off-road ride ...

Date: Sunday 5th October 2008

Info on British Heart Foundation’s brand new off road event. The route takes in spectacular views around the Hampshire and Surrey counties. The distance is 26.6 miles with the possibility of doing an extra 4.9 mile extension. You may not consider the mileage challenging but the route involves lots of climbing, twisty, steep wooded single tracks and will require the rider’s full attention!

The extension offers a lovely long, high speed steep descent; you should really be an experienced rider to take up this added loop!

The ride starts and finishes at Bohunt School, Longmoor Road, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7NY

Entry fee for this event: £ 20.00

Online registration and route map here : www.bhf.org.uk/haslemere

Cycle Kingdom Series - Race 15 Results

Races held Wednesday 20th August 2008

Eelmore Finale Gallery



Two good sized fields, a barbie and about a hundred soldiers camped out around the course brought the 2008 revitalised Eelmore series to a fitting conclusion.

In the miserable weather conditions (with at least 20 punctures over the course of the evening) the 3rds race saw several attempts to forge a successful breakaway but came together up a lengthened final straight for the sprint, with Sam Sturgeon winning convincingly from Gareth Dickinson.
Andy Hibberd took the overall series in the final race by finishing 5th on the night, to round off a calculated masterpiece of gaining 51 points after starting the season as a 4th Cat.
Garry Buttery was first Meudon home in 4th and James Bracey and Mike Lancaster also got into the top ten.

In the E12 once a break went with an AWCycles, an Agisko, a Felt and
3 Meudons it was always going to stay away despite lots of (mainly
unsuccessful) attempts to get across. Tim Elverson continued his remarkable consistency to win the series overall but honourably sat back and let the predicted battle for 5th place develop with Tom Smith taking the long sprint ahead of Jamie Newall but not gaining enough points to steal 5th.
Of the other Meudons in the break Dave Creeggan came in sixth with man in form Dave Larcombe following up his 4th at the previous weekend's Older Man's RR with 7th.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the generous prize list and a chorus of Happy Birthday to Craig for his last year before getting a V on his licence.


E12
1 Tom Smith AWCycles E
2 Jamie Newall VC Meudon 1
3 Boyd Roberts www.agiskovinor.com 2
4 Tim Elverson Felt Racing E
5 Richard Mardle Felt Racing 2
6 David Creeggan VC Meudon 1
7 Dave Larcombe VC Meudon 2V
8 Justin Hoy Felt Racing E
9 Lewis Atkins www.agiskovinor.com 1
10 Darrell Pembroke www.agiskovinor.com 2
11 John Wager Felt Racing E
12 Robert King Reading CC 2
13 Wayne Coombs VC Mountpellier 1
14 Toby Neave Southdown Velo E
15 Alex Peterson AWCycles 1



Overall Classification

3/4
1 Sam Sturgeon Team Terminator 3
2 Gareth Dickson Agiskoviner 3
3 Gavin Morton Godalming Cycles RT 3
4 Garry Buttery VC Meudon 3V
5 Andy Hibberd Pedalon.co.uk 3
6 Mark Cracknell AWCycles.co.uk 3V
7 Paul Troughton Wheelbase/GoreBike Wear 3
8 James Bracey VC Meudon 4
9 Clive Jarvis North Hants RC 4
10 Mike Lancaster VC Meudon 3

Overall Classification