PTW

Your man in the circular field reporting again from Maindy...

A pleasantly warm evening was the reward for those who suffered through last week's Hell of the North (Road)* but a slightly depleted field rolled up to the start, about 20 riders. However, the important players were there, and that's all that mattered. The rest were cannon fodder that we could do without.

Charles as always had made his weekly pilgrimage, and is looking stronger by the week. You can see he is itching to get involved...

With James' overall position under threat from 10 other riders it was going to be a night of staying sharp and following the right wheels. A comfortable start was soon broken with a few attacks, but the Port Talbot had the right men covered. The big hitters couldn't move without a red and white jersey all over them. A few breaks were tried and brought back, again, the Port Talbot were there when it counted.
Soon we were approaching the first sprint, and with a few up the road I dropped it into the 12 and ramped it up to them, picking up some valuable points and most importantly, making sure the rivals didn't get any big points over James. As I swing up, James Norman, the series leader, came thundering through, closely followed by James Lewis. I sensed this could be the big move of the night, and I made no effort to stop a few big hitters getting across, as James would need all the help he could get if they were to stay away. Soon a viable break was formed, tanking it through, fast and furious! However, Cwmcarn had missed the break and were back on the front of the bunch, driving hard. This is where the domesitque duties kick in, and I did my best to block cover and generally f**k up any organised chase. Soon the break was lapping us, and the Cwmcarn had descended into a cacophony of in fighting and a few DNFs. With my man safely in the bunch, it was now a question of chasing wheels so he didn't have to, and getting ready for the sprint.

At the last intermediate sprint I led James out, getting 1st and 2nd, more valuable points.

But now it was time for the big one - 3 laps to go an Ajax rider tried his luck and chipped away, unfortunately for us the bunch underestimated his staying power. I led James out for the last lap and although he didn't come round me, held off the marauding bunch for 2nd - that elusive win still evading us.

So all in all another good night, with some great teamwork with James still looking good in 2nd overall, and chipping away at James Normans' race lead, while distancing the others. As for me, I'm lying 8th, more by accident than design! However, things are looking good, let's hope for more of the same next week.

Until then...

*Maindy is close to North Road - very bad pun I know...

Brav, bravo, young crowley !!!!!, u were james b*tch last night and did a stirling job !! so did james too. Ya team tactics were perfect last night and with the lack of punctures u both were on tip top form !! slightly curious tho to the noise u made that resembled a whale givin birth ??? Will definatly ride the last one of the series in 2 weeks, and reckon a few others should make an apperance too to support you on the track that is not just watching !!

Cheer Charles! Yeah - that's my primal sprint roar you heard. Frightening or what?!

This is race organiser's Steve Thomas' write up:

The fourth event in the JIF Lungcloser series finally saw a successful breakaway with six of the main protagonists in the series for the overall successfully gaining a lap on the field and securing themselves the top six places for the race.

The race started off fast and furious as usual, with one casualty reporting that after 22 minutes the race had covered 11 miles and that his legs “weren’t having that any more!!”

Some tactical racing saw the breakaway escape shortly after the first prime of the evening. Without a representative in the break of six Cwmcarn were left to chase by the remains of the field but were no match for the strength of the break, which included the top three riders in the series, Alun Owen, James Lewis and James Norman.

A late breakaway by three riders saw the final places in the top ten mopped up – with the judges breathing a sigh of relief – then with three laps to go Andrew Davies slipped away from the bunch and a hesitation by the other five riders that had lapped the field allowed him a well earned solo victory whilst they sprinted it out for the minor placings.

James Norman’s overall lead in the series has now been cut to ten points – so it’s not all over – and there’re some interesting battles occurring on lower down the rankings. Andrew Davies is best 3rd cat by just five points from Dave (Pretty Boy) Crowley, whilst Jeremy Rees has a few points to make up on Paul Bennett in the challenge for the best Veteran.

David "pretty boy" Crowley !!!!!!!, with his disco ball shoes !!!