Ciclisti Vecchi RR report

At the weekend Terry Morgan organised the Ciclisti Vecchi (VC Meudon's vets wing that's also open to friends of the club who don't actually ride for the club - I'm sure that makes perfect sense) on a new circuit based around Herriard. It's been a great feat to get a new circuit approved and run what turned out to be a great day and two good races. Here's Terry's report from the race:

"A great win from what was an opportunist move that saw 3 CVs, 1 Meudon and I EX Meudon form the winning break on the last lap of an exiting new circuit based around Herriard that most said was like riding a Belgian Classic. The “Ronde Van Herriard” perhaps.

The day started with clear skies and a temperature in April that may not be repeated for the rest of the year.

The first of 5 Laps was relatively uneventful with most riders waiting to see what the circuit would reveal. Just a few small attacks. First from Martin Hulbert from the gun saw the pace steady and fast but no one really willing to let any one get away from the Golden Pot down to South Wanborough. Which is where most found their first surprise of the circuit, the three climbs from South Wanborough to Upton Grey. The first of these took the sting out of a few legs and surprised most by its length. The pace stayed relatively high until the approach to the Herriard climb where it slowed momentarily and then increased as we crested the climb at the 200m flag. From there the race became a single line of riders, vying for the wheel in front, as they entered the narrow, fast and twisting left turn back past the HQ and into Back lane.

This section set the scene for most laps stringing the bunch out and forcing the pace to try and gain a gap.

Throughout the first two laps various attacks gained momentum and failed as quickly as they started, all being covered by a CV or Meudon rider.

The second lap saw Matt Seaton attack through Upton Grey and gain some ground that looked like it might hold. On the second ascent of Herriard Michael Staines managed to bridge the gap and the pair soon moved away pretty fast. Seeing as they were both A’s the majority of us B’s & C’s were content to let them go and leave the chasing to others. After a Lap they had pulled out a sizable lead of over a minute and were only visible from the top of the second climb to the third at Upton Grey.

The break was however short lived as Seaton punctured, retiring from the Race and Staines, deciding it was safer back in the bunch, duly returned. The following 2 Laps saw many CV/Meudon riders in small breaks that formed off the front but the pace was so relentless that none succeeded.

On the last lap however a small attack from Martin Hulbert through Blounce on the way to South Wanborough was quickly followed by Colin Addisson, John Alderman, Les Liddiard and finally myself.

Thanks to some swift blocking from the CV’s in the Bunch (including Wilson, Capello and Cranstone) a gap was forced open and the break consolidated. Hulbert turned up the pressure over the first of the three climbs and Addissons legs buckled. The 4 remaining riders shared the pace until Weston Patrick where his legs got the better of him and Alderman slipped of the back. Leaving Hulbart, Liddiard and myself to fight it out up the climb. It was obvious that all three of us were feeling it as for the first time we all engaged the small ring and tried to sprint/ grovel to the line in that order. Hulbert 1st, Liddiard 2nd and myself 3rd. The bunch sprint for 4^th was won by Roland Tilley, who almost caught me at the line."