A full road Squadra landed in Mid Wales today to contest the Welsh 'Liege', the Noel Jones Memorial Classic, a hilly, 70 mile route around the Three Cocks village. With 7 laps, each taking in a steep climb and a rolling, energy sapping course it is one of the toughest one day races on the Welsh calender and always brings out the top 2nd cats.
Hefin, Tank, Disco and Curtis lined up at the start on a cloudy but otherwise warm day and as we rolled out and the flag was dropped Hefin chipped off with Richie Raymond (Cwmcarn) to take an early break. Their lead quickly ballooned to 45 seconds and the duo plugged away whilst Tank and Disco covered moves back in the bunch, of which there were plenty!
Coming into lap 3 the wearing course started to take it's toll and the enthusiasm of the bunch started to wane. Sensing this some of the stronger riders started to play their cards with Richie Harris (Cwmcarn) George Rose (Abergavenny), Tim Rose (Abergavenny), Ian Bendall (Forza) Grant Leavy (Forza) and of course Disco (PTWCC) all trying their luck and stretching the bunch. On lap 3 a group of about 14 formed, including Disco, who finally ate into Hefin and Raymond's lead, catching them before the climb. Despite working well together this move didn't last and going over the top of the climb the bunch was still together.
As we moved into lap 3 a few riders were chipping away but Tank, putting himself selflessly on the line, brought them back close enough to allow Disco to jump across. A few more riders came up including Tank but the bunch was still trying to keep contact. However the elastic was near breaking point and with Disco dangling off the front George Rose jumped up to him. A shout of warnign from Tank and Disco was on him before Leavy, Tim Rose, Ben Simmons (Wiggle), Ian Sutcliffe (Abergavenny), Harris and Rowan Marshall (Bynea) joined them. With the favourites now all in the break and all major teams represented the impetus int he peloton collpased and the break was away.
The group worked well together and their gap soon went up to 3 minutes with everyone rolling through. However, with 3 strong men in the break, each capable of winning the race, Abergavenny held all the cards. Despite this the break forged on, with Disco feeling good and driving it up the climb, even walking away with a prime.
However, with 2 laps on the board Abergavenny started using their numbers, firing off men and forcing the others to cahse. Intially an uneasy truce existed between the other riders but all were watching each other and trying not to be caught out. In that sort of environment a chase was always going to be tricky and sure enough with 3/4 of a lap remaining George Rose jumped away. Both Disco and Leavy tried to get across before blowing just short of his back wheel and the subsequent chase from Marshall, Harris, Leavy and Disco was half hearted to say the least as people started thinking about their own finishing position. Regrettably this move allowed the remaining Abergavenny riders an armchair ride to the finish.
Hitting the final hill it was now every man for himself. Rowan kicked hard halfway up and got a gap, as did Sutcliffe and Tim Rose who by now had recovered nicely. Disco, whose legs were about to explode dug deep managed to come past Marshall but could do little to stop an Abergavenny 1,2,3, settling for 4th.
Meanwhile back in the bunch Tank was getting itchy and taking inspiration from Cancellara dropped it into the '11' on one of the flat sections of the course with 3/4 of a lap to go. Now as you all know, once Tank gets going there is little that can stop him and in what must rank as one of the rides of the day, soloed to take 9th, a top 10 in one of the hilliest road races in Wales! Hefin finished in the bunch and poor Curtis suffered a puncture 10miles in and had to take na early shower as there was no neutral service.
In the end a great day for PTWCC, two riders in the top 10, in EVERY break and a good handful of points.
Til next time...
_______________
The Force is strong in this one...
The Force is strong in this one...
