14/05/15 Surrey League Handicap Series #3 (Addiscombe CC) Newchapel E/1/2/3
1 Jesse Yates In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT
2 Liam Yates Catford CC Equipe/Banks
3 James Bradley Twickenham CC
9 Rogan Redfarn Addiscombe CC
12 Marek Siwicki Addiscombe CC
13 George Brent Addiscombe CC
Matthew Halvatzis Addiscombe CC Did not finish
Race report by Rogan Redfarn
I was in the front group with Marek and so that’s about as good as it gets – and there were 2 groups behind. One of the other guys who set out in the lead group was the eventual winner (I think) and was very strong.
I was nearly on my own in no-mans land before the race began as Marek set out purposefully with the others chasing. He’s definitely found his racing legs! My shoe/cleat refused to engage with pedal and so I was having to pedal and attempt to engage for almost half a lap..!! New cleats required I think.
We were caught within 3-4 laps as the other two guys were playing weak and Marek and I tried to get some sort of through-and-off going which didn’t really come together. We did manage to gap our sand-baggers for a moment but they pulled us back easily. We now know how strong those two really were!
The groups merged on around lap 4 and the tempo increased a little with the usual surging. I heard after the race that Matt had been pushed by some American guy (!) and at some point thereafter he punctured 🙁
Our race winner broke away on the first bend after the finish line with 2 to go and was assisted by at least two other riders (and not in the same jerseys) in the pack who rather skillfully slowed things and warned each other of counter attacks. I think Marek attacked once as did George and I. Not taking anything away from the winner – he was super strong.
On the final lap I found myself in front of the group at the last left-hand bend (before the finish line) with George (who had done a big turn prior) now on my wheel. Turns out our thinking at this point was to stay out of trouble as the roads were so slippery and there was a lake in the road at that last bend. George may even have been nursing his stunning new bike away from any sprinting shenanigans!?
I was starting to blow about 1 km out as things kicked off. I think Marek (?) shouted ‘give me your wheel’ as he stormed passed pulling a load of riders with him from about 6-700m to go. With no wheel in front I buried myself for 9th place and to be honest I was delighted there were no crashes today.
