PTW

RESULT

Top 10

1 Tim Rose Abergavenny Road Club
2 Ben Simmons Team Wiggle
3 Gruffudd Lewis Ystwyth CC
4 Richard Harris Cwmcarn Paragon RC
5 Gareth Rees Newport Phoenix CC
6 James Hansell Cardiff Jif
7 Barrie McGregor Cwmcarn Paragon RC
8 Simon Iles Acme Wheelers
9 Matthew Carlick Cwmcarn Paragon RC
10 Rebecca James Motorpoint

Small group of 7 (inc Hefin) bridged from the 2nds and 3rds to the 4ths and kept them away to the finish - NO Disco

Ok your man in the field shamefully reporting in….

A strong Squadra lined up to contest this race in breezy and cool conditions. Hefin, Disco and Tank in the scratch group and Curtis and Mark in the middle group. No sign of Phil H though…

The 4ths set off 4 minutes ahead of the 3rds, and the scratch group 1 minute behind the 3rds giving a 5 minute gap to make up. The Squadra were feeling confident, with Tank, Hefin and Disco performing well recently we fancied our chances. Once the flag was dropped the scratch group caught the 3rds within a few miles such was the enthusiasm of the riders but that is where things started to go awry.

Rather than forming a good chase the presence of a large group of 3rd cats seemed to dilute the impetus of the chase and the stronger squads such as Abergavenny seemed to be playing a waiting game. There were multiple attacks and in a well timed move Hefin clipped off with Richie Raymond (Cwmcarn). He was joined by several other riders including Tank, but Tank dropped back as the bunch started to close in, feeling that the move was doomed to failure. Disco was of the same opinion but on lap 2 Richie Harris (Cwmcarn) Ben Simmons (Wiggle) and Tim Rose (Abergavenny) jumped across the short gap giving the break some firepower. The riders dangled in sight for an agonising amount of time before the loose coalition in the chase group collapsed and allowed the break that crucial gap and they were away. What followed from my point of view was a frustrating few laps trying to organise chases up to the front group or following and instigating attacks, to no avail. Tank was in the same boat. However we had a man up the road so we were pleased with that.

Up ahead Hefin was putting in some big turns to catch the 4ths and they finally caught them with 3km to go. Unfortunately Hefin now paid for his earlier efforts and couldn’t contest the sprint which was won by Tim Rose, followed by Ben Simmons.

Back in the bunch Tank and Disco decided to at least try and hurt the legs of the remaining riders and put in a big effort to launch Disco off the front in the last 5km. Disco got a good gap before turning into the headwind on the finishing drag and the bunch (being driven by Curtis in revenge for being caught at Maindy I imagine) caught him with 1km to go. Regardless we were racing for about 50th place anyway!

So bit of a cock up by the Squadra today, Hefin did well to get in the move but being away all day took his sprint away whilst Disco and Tank let the race favourites go.

Nevermind, til next time…