PTW

Your man in the field reporting back again.

Round 2 of the Maindy Circuit races was a bit of a mixed bag for the Port Talbot this week, and that's being generous!

A strong field of 25 riders lined up again, with a strong Cwmcarn squad a few 'names' of the 2nd cat circuit. It was going to be a tough night. Luckily the Port Talbot had some groupies, with celebrity superstar Rhys Lloyd giving some vocal from the sidelines, and Charles - having ridden all the way from Port Talbot just to cheer us on!!

Anyway - from the off the attacks came and went. There was to be no extended Team Time trial like last week, this was crit racing as it should be. For the first 3/4 of the race myself and James worked well. Covering every dangerous move, blocking and attacking when needed. James got 2nd in the first sprint, and picked up valuable points over Alan Owen and James Norman, his two competitors in the series. I sat on the front to sweep up the rest. We even got ourselves in the odd promising move. It was looking good.

However, 3/4 of the way in, things went a bit wrong for me. Sitting on the front a harmless pair of riders chipped off and got a gap. James, on my wheel, gave the order to 'smash it' and get him across to them, which I duly did, causing havoc and splits behind. When we were within touching distance, and with my legs burning, James attacked over the top, but unfortunately took a load of riders with him. The bunch were slow to respond, and the fragmented bunch fell apart, leaving me (by now cooked!) at the back. The field soon formed into two groups, with the danger men up front, and a chase group behind. As I saw the gap grow, my head fell off and I dropped back, allowing the lead group to lap me, figuring 'well, at least I can give James a lead out for the final sprint'.

After making sure he was on my wheel, I hit the front with a lap to go and lined it out the best I could. With 200m left, the sprint was on and I swung down expecting James to come through. But - disaster, he hadn't been able to follow me through the bunch and had lost his position, rolling in with the main group, and out of the points.

So - a bit of a disaster all round, but there are 4 more left, (although I'm on a stag weekend this weekend, so expect my form to be shot next Thursday!)

Special mention must go to honorary Port Talbot Wheeler Jason Humphries who travelled down from London. You may remember that Jason was our man in the City who helped us make up a Ras team. Jason looked good all night and was there when it counted. Not quite sure what he got in the end but a result for Jason is a result for Port Talbot in my book!

Till next time...

Yep it were a good night up maindy, first time i got to see james race, by god he's bloody strong, and david worked as hard as a coal miner. The pair off them were deffiantly the strongest pairing from any club there last night, which showed as any move from either rider was counter attacked by every man and his dog. With a bit of organisation our 2 lads could easily blow the rest of the feild away.

Excellent reporting Davey!,sounds as if you and the lads are doing a sterling job of flying the P.T.W.C.C. colours,but a word of advice, take it easy on this stag-do,"whiskey and wimmin'" have been the downfall of many an athlete!.

" OH YES ! "

Cheers guys! Yep Charles, think a couple of tactical decisions cost us the race last night, and there was no need for us to force anything, would have been better off following moves a bit longer. As soon as you're ready we could use your help in these races!

Titus - who said anything about me being an athlete?!