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Our 55yr old pro in Spain

Latest report from Martin Rutherford in Spain ( if you don't know him you must be a newcomer...watch out for the references to "Valverde" ;~)

The end of the year is over and all the celebrations have been done. Martine and I had our usual busy Xmas and New Year parties. On Xmas Day we went to a friends with 15 of our other mates and had a fantastic time and dinner. The weather as usual was warm and sunny. We had pre-lunch drinks in the garden to start the day and enjoyed the rest of the day there. Next year Martine and I will be doing our BBQ on the beach – last time we went was 2 years ago, so it’s time to go back !

I did a report for September/October and sent it to Keith to pass on but I don’t think it went on the VC Meudon website, or did it? ( we like these shorter/more regular reports - Ed) Anyway, I’m going to end the year with a condensed race report for Nov/Dec. (that's nice - Ed)

I had 10 races during that period, and I was going well and staying with all the moves. One race in November was in Los Alcazeres (Murcia East Coast). Graham Baxter's club is based there so he was riding. I congratulated him for his national vets championship win. This race I did was a fast race….flat, 14 laps on 5k circuit, big bunch sprint at the end. Baxter 14th, me 34th.

The next race was Puerto Lumbreras (West Murcia). Saturday afternoon race. This starting at 3.30 so it could be dark by the time we finish. 65 starters, 78k, flat circuit similar to a Belgium race. Lots of twists and turns on small farm roads. Shortly after the start, 4 riders went away and had 200mts on us…we could see them as they took a left-hander on a tight corner with a little water on it that had run off the farmers fields. All 4 slide off so all back together. The corner dried out and things got faster. 2 of my team mates got away in a move on the last lap to finish 8th and 12th. I came in 19th with the rest. We were all in the prizes with me winning a very large Xmas hamper.

December is party time, the same as in UK and the races reflect this in prizes.

Benihan (Murcia), 142 riders, sunny, 18 degrees, flat race this on a good circuit. Only problem is Valverde, Fran Perez, Rojas and LL Sanchez. The first half of the race the pros tow everyone along a 48kph then LL Sanchez and Valverde go away and take one other rider with them. with one lap to go all the pro’s pull out and the rider with them goes on to win, our team nowhere.

I ride four other races with no good results , just finishing in the main group. Then I ride a race at Santomera (Murcia). 85 riders, 20 degrees, 80k. The circuit is a good one. Starts in the Town, goes over a 2k climb easy, then very hard at the end. I last 2 laps then have to pull out.When I get back to the team car I’m about to collapse. I stop and have trouble getting off my bike. Start shaking and go hot and cold….it’s the start of the flu!!! Have to have 3 days in bed and miss the last 2 races of the year. This is a shame as last year I won a LIVE turkey in this race and the year before a LIVE chicken with Valverde and the pro’s always riding this one.

2009 will be my 40th year of continuous racing and I’ll be in a new team as well. It’s going to be based in Mazarron with all local riders. Only 6 to start with, so am looking forward to 2009 (first race 18 Jan). Happy New Year to all our friends in VC Meudon.

Martin (and Martine)

PS Had to have 4 days in hospital at the end of Jan. Will tell you all about it on my next report.

09 club kit

Gianluca estimates the 2009 kit order should be here end of March. Craig will have the price list  soon - we'll post it here - contact him if you want to find out more.

Bernie Burns away

Plenty of VCM riders out on show at the first Surrey League of the year at Chertsey today, including:

Jo Munden helping out with the beginner's race training for 3rd and 4th Cat ladies....
New member Elliot Porter in his first ever road race assisted by Barry Packman - what a baptism!
Ben, Ken, MarkO, Barry/Darren (sorry ?) in a fast E123 Handicap....
Myself as Commissaire, marshalling crash victims and 4 ambulances on the circuit at one point....

But the glory goes to Bernie Hards, who despite doubting her own ability, right up until the race actually started, managed to cruise away from the largest ever women's field seen in a Surrey League and win the Ladies race in style.

Nice one Bernie!

Colnago for sale

04 Colnago C40 B-stay frame and Star carbon forks. Black and blue in colour. Size is 54cm centre to centre top tube, 54 centre to top seat tube.


Excellent condition with a couple of small blemishes from normal use. Got to pay for a wedding so sensible offers considered.

Will sell as complete bike with 10 speed Campag Record and Mavic wheels if preferred.

Contact nallen@specializeduk.com

Glorious Perfs

Fantastic weather today for the first big road race of the season - the Perfs Pedal Race at Rowlands Castle.

Three VCM riders competed, Dave Creeggan, Pete Wager and Keith Jarrett, who was riding the Perfs for the sixteenth time today - ( he was second once in the eighties). Warren also rode in his new Felt colours.

He won't be smiling soon ..



Although it didn't look that fast from the roadside, it must have been as riders were quickly being shed.


On the Climb Lap 1- Hoy near front

Pete "enjoying" the sunshine ..


There always seemed to be someone attacking but nothing got clear until the final lap when William Bjergfelt (Sport Beans/Willer) approached the line with a clear lead.



A splintered bunch gallop followed, with Steve Calland showing some power to take 2nd place. Dave finished in the bunch, Pete lost contact around half distance but carried on lapping the circuit, while Keith was seen returing to the HQ - not sure what happened there; puncture?



World Cross Champs - report

Last weekend a few of us (me, AndyD, Jamie, BobM and AndyG) took a 24hour jaunt over to Holland to watch the World Cyclo-Cross champs. A freezing day but amazing scenes surrounded by 40,000 mad Dutch and Belgians. Journey back was interesting. National Cross champ Jody Crawforth rode very well and gave us this report of his ride ... (pictures below the report)

"I'm fairly happy with how I rode, just a bit dissappointed with where I finished. I didn't get the luck from the start that I needed and although I had good legs there were just no gaps opening up for me to get through to the front - I had to freewheel a few times instead of unleashing the power. Once you're off the tarmac start straight it's really difficult to move up because everyone's trying to do the same, dive-bombing every corner. Then i was stuck in the group I was in - you don't want to tow everyone round, but you don't want to just sit on either. I eventually got free of my group and caught some riders in penny numbers, and then on the last lap managed to catch onto another group and beat them in the sprint for the line. So I was pleased to be going forwards and feeling strong, but I know I can do much better.

I did enjoy the whole weekend though, it's great to be in the world champs with the massive crowds. And it was nice to see and hear lots of Brits from the side of the race too!

I'll do more racing in Europe next winter showing off the champs jersey, so hopefully I should get a better world ranking for the World Champs next year in Tabor.

Cheers,

Jody"







S-Works Mtb Reduced!

Pete's Mtb is now £1600 ono (see ad. below) - just in time for Sunday's snowy mtb clubrun.

8/2/08 clubrun will be on MTBs

This Sunday the clubrun will be on mountain bikes so we can hopefully enjoy the snow. 2-3 hours from the shop @ 9.00 sharp. Ask Craig if you need any more details.