PTW

Haven't written one of these for a while but thought I should do considering the 'Squadra Rosa' were off riding in the sun on Sunday while a big part of the club were working hard to put on a great TT.

Ben Carroll Memorial RR 234 100km

A new event set up to commemorate the life of West Swansea lad Ben Carroll who was tragically killed in a road race last year.

Set in the Gower and organised by Bynea CC a full field of 80 riders took to the start on a gloriously sunny day which made for excellent racing conditions.

A tough course beckoned, the undulating winding roads and 4 ascents of Cefn Bryn and a 'mountain top' finish meant that just getting around this race would be an achievement.

From the 'Squadra' we had our current road race champion and hoping to continue his rise through the ranks of bike racing, Mike Hall. Fresh from a 'training camp' in Bretagne he was keen and ready to put on a good show.

Supporting him was current Pete's Pot champion and sportive bully, Davey C. Fresh from an August of not doing much other than cycling with his significant other Kasia and avoiding the rain at all costs, he was keen to avoid points at all costs.

The race got off to a typical Welsh start with a herd of sheep charging the bunch. Comedy moment aside the race soon got down to business and the peloton were soon lined out. Davey C and Mike worked well together to remain in the bunch but the fast start and succession of climbs meant the end of the race for Mike. Davey C finally warmed up enough to get to the front but only after a select group of 7 had slipped off the front.

Despite his low ambitions for the race Davey C managed to integrate into every counter move, sometimes staying away for a lap, sometimes less but always there and always with the same strong characters, Glyndwr Griffiths (Arctic), Richie Harris (Cwmcarn) Dan Coleman (Forza) and Matt Beckett (Jif).

Finally with the group ahead whittled down to 4 Davey slipped off with a lap and a half to go and was joined by Coleman, Grffiths and Hefin Evans (Bynea). This group worked well together and bridged up to the remaining 4, quickly establishing a 2 minute lead on a depleted peloton that was weary.

Approaching the finishing climb Davey drove it up there with the intention of allowing the 'racers' to fight it out. Unfortunately his lead out briefly distanced his breakaway companions and it was only in the final 50 metres that the sprint opened up with former Ajax member Josh Burns (Starley Primal) getting the jump on Griffiths.

Davey rolled across the line in 6th, regrettably picking up some points in the process but with a smile from an enjoyable day out.

May have to do some more of this 'racing'!!!

Hard luck Mike and well done Davey. Great report too!

Great to read a squadra report once again Chapeaux

And from What I hear you ducked out from the points cos you should have won....

So I'm told...but if I went and did something silly like win my reputation as a rubbish racer sportive rider would have been in jeopardy

80 may have started but only 22 finished! The pace was ferocious from the start and didn't let up. We'd worked well together keeping out of trouble. When the time came to start moving up during a very brief lull in the pace, unfortunately, the discussion was overheard & I got boxed in whilst someone else benefited from Davey's wheel. I was still comfortably mid peloton until I my chain got caught between big & inner ring. A quick back pedal freed it and the whole thing probably only took 5 seconds, but due to the pace I went from comfortably mid pack to off the back! Although I kept them in sight I never had a chance to get back on. I dropped out after 3 laps of the 4 and waited to watch the finish.

All I'll say about the lead group finish is, 5 riders rode over the line, their faces contorted in agony, the other was smiling!