PTW

Start list is now out:

http://www.cardiffajaxcycling.co.uk/Ajax_CC/Files/Legstretchers%20Programme%202010.pdf

Some Squadra members present:

3/4/J

Curtis Stacey

E123

Hefin Price
David 'Disco' Crowley

Both events look like tough races with some big names and teams!

Think positively!

You are big names and we are a big team!

Your man in the field reporting in....

The day was forecast to be wet and cold but a pleasant spring day greeted the Squadra as they lined up for the first Welsh 'Classic' of the season, The Betty Pharoah Memorial Road Race.

A full compliment of Disco, Tank and Hefin took to the start of the Elite race while Curtis Stacey tackled the 3/4 race on his own. By the time of the start both events had a full field, and with the sparsity of big races on at this time of year the Elite race had attracted some big names, including a considerable amount of full time pro riders. Ahead of us was 70miles of rolling, exposed roads that this club knows so well.

The race was neutralised until St Brides Major but when the flag dropped the race was ON. Attack after attack came to try and split things up, with the bunch lined out all the way to Cowbridge. The nasty dead turn and climb up the slip road led to an attack by Rhys Lloyd (Pendragon Le Col) who caught up to a small bunch (containing Tank) that had chipped off on the run in. Disco was quick to see the danger and went with him and a small breakaway was formed, with several other riders tagging in. However an apathy gripped the group, perhaps sensing that it was too early in the day for a move to go, and by the time we were descending Crack Hill the peloton had reformed.

Going up Death Valley a couple of riders attacked for the prime and soon started to make some headway on the bunch. Further attacks followed and coming out of St Brides gaps started to open. Sensing the danger Hefin escorted Disco to the head of the bunch just in time for another attack by Lloyd to go clear. Disco was quick to react and was quickly on his wheel. Lloyd began to tire on some of the rises leading into Wick and Disco, seeing the riders up the road launched his move to get across. Taking with him last years winner Colin Parry (VC Monteplier) and two other 1st cat riders the quartet worked hard, finally catching the leading riders going past Llandow. By now the breakaway had a gap of about 30 seconds on the bunch and all riders began driving it to stay away.

This select group contained winner of the Eddie Soens Memorial Joshua Edmonson (Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta) a Raleigh pro (whose name I can't remember!!) last years winner Colin Parry,comeback kid Anthony Malarckyx (AC/DC) and a few other 1st cats, making a group of about 7-8 in total. LAst but not least - Disco, hanging on for grim death!!! The next lap was a blur of pain and wheels before settling into a hard but steady tempo.

The group worked well and going into the final lap had almost 2 minutes on the bunch. However, this uneasy truce didn't last long and in Death Valley and through St Brdes Major the attacks started to come from Edmonson and Archie. I started to feel cocky here and tried to chase down several attacks but by now, with almost 60 miles of racing in my legs, the effort was starting to show and the group gapped me on the rise out of St Brides. Try as I might I could not get back on and through agonised eyes I watched the group and my chance of a good placing slowly ride away. Not going down without a fight however I put my head down and tried to keep a tempo going but was finally caught in Llantwit Major.

It was here I learned that Tank had pulled out with a mechanical, (!!! Again?!!) as had Hefin and I was on my own. I tried to stay near the front, even daring to think that I may be able to do something on the last climb but as we turned the corner in Corntown it was clear my legs had had enough and I ground to an undiginified halt, crawling up the final climb with sympathetic claps from the spectators ringing in my ears.

The race was won by Archie in fine style, holding off some exceptionally strong competition.

Mixed fortunes for the Squadra today but we had a man in the break in the first road event of the season and against a top quality field. I wish my hard work had paid off with a result but I really don't think I could have done any more today, and those who saw me at the finish will testify I got it all out.

I'll leave Curtis to talk about his race but unitl next time...

Excellent report once again mate and good efforts all round.

great report dave. I can see why you were so spent going up the last cimb now.

The 3/4 race wasnt as exiting as that, but ill tell you anyway.
Me being the sole representitive of the club, I thought id just sit in the whole way round, that was the plan, but i found myself working to get in the early, but failed breaks.

A break did go off the front half way round the first lap with 4 strong guys getting in it, and then an impressive brigde of the gap by two others, making it a 6 man break who got a total of 50 secs leads.
At this piont, jiff hit the front, not having a guy in the break, this was the only option for them, to close the gap.

This was the time in the race that i sat on the back for the best part of 30mins, when the pace was high and when i knew that no one was going to clip off the front at that pace. A wise move by me, as the break was caught with a lap to go, and only then did i move up the field.

This was the piont in the race that the attacks started to come, thick and fast.
There was a decisive attack from a jif rider, then jiff were on the front patrolling for the next couple of miles as the gap got further, before other teams dicided it was time to chase. That guy was pulled back, and going up the slip road from cowbridge, the group was once again together.

I knew physically, i wouldnt quite be able to go up the last hill to the finish with the leaders. So approachng the king of the mountains before crack hill,i made my bid for glory, with two guys with me, who beat me to the top and then it became clear that they were only going for the king of the mountains. I am now going down crack hill, giving it everything by myself.

I got a healthy gap quite quickly and nearly got to corntown before being caught. I managed to stay in the top half approaching the climb to the finish, but found the contenders riding away from me, i managed to get into a good rythem and was picking riders off the whole way up.

I dont know who won as yet, But I believe i managed to finish in the top 20.
that might be wishful thinking but thats what i think.

I hope i made a not very exiting race interesting.
Until next time.........

Great report Curtis and well done. Those 3/4 races can be awfully negative and kudos for takig the race to them!

Can I also just add thanks to everyone who came out to support us yesterday, I can't tell you how much of a morale boost it is to have some friendly faces at the side of the road!

Two excellent RR's and well done to all members of the Squadra.

Curtis - just remember that apart from the training benefit of your exertions you are also building experience and taking a step closer to success. You'll get there!