English
Location: Three Cocks, Near Talgarth.
25th April 2010
Noel Jones RR
After last weekend moral boosting race I got my head down and made the most of the weather and put a few good hours in on the bike. I also received my new race bike for the 2010 season… Focus Izalco Extreme so had an extra boost of confidence especially after putting the bike on the scales!!!
I was down as a reserve so was a bit unsure of whether I would get a ride but knowing the organizer is always a bonus so soon had a number on my back and was lined up ready to start in the sunshine. I had a lot of comments on the bike and had to wipe there drool off it before I started the race.
The race started and there was an immediate attack of two riders which I knew wouldn’t stay away so I just tucked myself away in the bunch for the first lap. I soon made my way up to the front on the climb and went with a few attacks to test the legs and surprisingly they felt good. There was then a crash half way round the second lap that happened right next to me (arghh my new bike) but luckily he fell to the other side wiping out a pile of riders including a few of my friends. The riders regrouped and the pace was high with attacks going along the small winding back lane and I was waiting for the right move to go with.
I went away with a large group of riders but no one was committing to ride hard so came back together. Shortly after a strong break got away and I knew that was the winning move so soon jumped across and got myself comfortable. It was a group of 9 riders and most of them I knew were strong riders, as we approached the climb I moved up to the front and rode away from them to take the prime at the top of the climb. I then sat up so the riders could catch back up it was still a long way to go on my own.
We were all working well but with 3 riders from the same team I was keeping my whit’s about me the next time up the climb I done the same thing and won yet another prime before waiting for the riders to catch up. We soon had a 3 minute gap and started to slow the pace down and save our legs. Two laps to go and I missed out on the prime and my legs were getting heavy and a few riders tried their luck at getting away but they didn’t succeed.
The last lap and we are all still together with attacks going every time we regrouped until eventually a strong solo attack got away and with two of his team mates chasing any rider that tried to join him. That was pretty much game over for the win and with my legs feeling tired after 7 times up the steep 1km climb. We all got to the bottom of the climb together I set the pace trying to control the riders and see who was suffering but as it began to level off slightly I tried to put a dig in but lactate acid had other plans and was soon over taken. I ended up finishing 7th after some excellent racing and even had a cheer from the crowd to wheelie across the line so I mustered up enough energy to finish in style.
Overall I’m happy with my performance and new bike, 7th and two primes is not a bad result considering my knee is still in pain. I am now looking forward to racing off road next weekend at the Wiggle Enduro 6 so hopefully see you guys there.
Ben
