English
Location: Inkborrow, Worcester.
20th March 2011
The race on Sunday started early which meant that it was a little bit on the chilly side starting off. The race had a full field of 80 riders and the course was rolling and the total length of the race was just over 100km. Team Raleigh had a full quota of riders and soon enough the attacks started.
A break of 6 riders formed containing 4 Raleigh riders…from then on any one that tried to get away and join them or form another chasing group was chased down by the rest of the Raleigh riders. This meant that the race was very stop start which allowed the break away group to gain a substantial lead.
I made a few attempts to get away from the bunch and at one point thought I might have been successful in a 4 man break away containing a Raleigh rider but it was unfortunately short lived. The last lap maintained a high pace and in the closing 2 km I decided to go for a long one. I went away on my own and it stayed that way until about 750m to go. I was then swamped by the bunch and just rolled in at the back of the bunch after not being able to gain a position.
I did enjoy the race although having one team controlling the race mainly due to having a high number of riders racing. This made the race negative at some points. The weather soon warmed up by the end of the race and I was happy with the way I was riding and the way my legs were feeling.
I am now off to Mallorca for 10 day of hopefully warm weather training although as I type this blog the sun is shining and temperature is very mild in South Wales. I then return the night before the Dengie Tour of the Marshes which is a Rutland/Paris-Roubaix type of event containing on and off road sections. I am looking forward to this event although I’m sure my body will be in pieces after 10 days of hard training!!!
Ben
