PTW

The excitement is building for this local road race - dubbed as the World Championship for 2nd Cats. With a full field and 8 reserves there will be a big battle for a result on Sunday!

Lining up for the Squadra we have:

James 'Tank ' Lewis. Showing some fine form coming into this race and has been training hard. Won countless crits this season but don't count him out on the hilly races. Let us not forget he came 4th in this race last year and 9th in the Noel Jones Classic in April. You ignore this man at your peril.

Hefin Price: Still grinning after his first ever win on the weekend a week in the Pyrenees has done this man's form and confidence the world of good. Known for his attacking riding he has the legs and now the head to do well here. The long drag up to the finish should suit him down to the ground.

Davey 'Disco' C: Trying to find some form after a big dip in the middle of the season that saw him spend more time in Greggs than on the bike. Last seen training up Devil's Elbow with Rhys and Dan so he's clearly got plans for the latter half of the season. On his day can climb up the shorter, sharper rises like Contador but the 'draggy' nature of the final climb may not be to his liking.

Curtis Stacey: Showing some strong form at Llandow and Pembrey and has clocked some fast times in TTs. Has yet to lay down a marker in a road race but this one should suit him well - he had a good performance at the Betty Pharoah RR on a similar course at the beginning of the year.

How will they get on? There's only one way to be sure - turn up on Sunday to give them a cheer, the race kicks off from Cowbridge at 11.30am (HQ is actually Pontyclun) and finishes atop the bypass at about 1.30pm.

Forza Squadra!!

Good luck for Sunday boys.
Where exactly is the finish?
I will try to get there 2 lend my support.

the finish is at the top of cowbridge bypass ( heading towards cardiff ) at the road to the black cat cafe.

Your man in the field reporting in...

A strong looking Squadra lined up to contest this one - Hefin (fresh from his win last week) Tank (although complaining of being ill) Disco and Curtis. The sun was shining, the banter flowing - spirits were high.

A long neutralised section from Pontyclun down to Cowbridge and then we were off, racing down the A48 heading towards Ewenny. The attacks from pre race favourite Ben Simmons (wiggle) started almost immediately but it was a bit too early for the bunch to let anything go and he was brought back.

First time up death valley a big group got clear but never looked like doing anything and the bunch, under Disco's leadership, brought them back without really trying. Along the coast road the squadra were in action with Disco clipping away with Richie Harris (Cwmcarn) before a promising looking group containing Simmons and Hefin came up. A strong tempo was being set by the man from West Wales but the bunch weren't letting it go and we were brought back. Unfortunately at this point Hefin's form seemed to desert him and he fell straight to the back not to be seen again. This left Disco up front to counter moves and that's exactly what he did for the next 2 laps. (Tank having suffered a puncture meanwhile).

Coming into lap 3 Harris had clipped off with another rider and had a handful of seconds on the bunch but was being kept in sight. Hitting the final climb they were tantilisingly close and a big effort by Tank brought them within touching distance and the bunch, by now motoring up the climb, reeled them in with ease.

Disco was now well poised with 1km to go and enjoying the high tempo being set at the front. However a momentarily lull with 500m to go allowed a few riders to get in front of him and forced to the outsied of the bunch going into the final corner. Disco was forced to take it far too wide ruining any chances of a decent result. He could do nothing but watch as Ben Simmons sprinted in for the win. Disco rolled in about 9th. Curtis finished a few seconds behind the bunch and Hefin and Tank rolled in a bit later.

Mixed form enjoyed by the Squadra today but bodes well for the end of season races and I'm sure Tank and Hefin will be back to their winning ways in no time!

Until next time...

Wiggle simmons is a 1st cat ....no question.
If you click on his name in the wasp results of the BCF website it shows hes placed in several 2nd cat races and the system hasn't registered his points because ....you guessed it ...hes a 1st cat.

He certainly is now.

Some good photos here:

http://www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk/webshows/WASP2010/index.html