Three members of the squadra rocked up to contest the Welsh Champs, being held on a pan flat course in Abergavenny. Testers will know it as the old 15 course around Hardwick. Hefin, Tank and Disco with Team Manager Pip made the journey (not helped by Disco being 1/2 lhour ate!)
With a flat course it was always going to be difficult to choose the right break and when a break of 8 went at the end of the first lap containing no-one special got a handful of seconds not many appeared worried. However the pace in the main bunch just dropped and all of a sudden it seemed a dangerous move. Sensing this Dale Appleby (Raleigh) launched an attack through the feed zone (tut tut!!) but Disco covered it nicely. OVer the top of him went Archie Malacykx (AC/DC) and which unfortunately I was boxed in and too tired from chasing Dale to cover. No-one went with him and he bridged across.
The next lap or two were spent with Disco trying to cover moves and attacks from strong riders like Hugh Wilson (Quoroz), Richie Harris (Cwmcarn) and Ben Simmons (Wiggle) and Appleby. When Appleby launched a stinging move down the back road Wilson and Disco tried to get on terms but fell just short and he was gone.
Disco then spent the remaining laps trying and failing to either get away or chasing attacks, with occasional help from Tank and Hefin. It was to no avail and come the sprint finish Disco was cooked, rolling in 25th ish with Tank and Hefin just behind.
Disappointing day all round, and not a day for the squadra to be proud of. However we did get nice tans.
The race was won by Dale Appleby, a worthy winner.
Til next time....
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The Force is strong in this one...
The Force is strong in this one...
