This sunday I shall be driving down to Kent to ride Dulwich Paragons Primevera the race for the Wally Gimber Trophy.
This race has again attracted a top class field including teams of riders from Arctic Premier, awcycles.co.uk, Plowman Craven, Wildside and of course Sigma Sport.
Last year riding for Kingston Wheelers I did this race which was held in horrible wet and windy conditions. I was wearing a rain jacket that was a bit big for me and felt a bit like a parachute making things particularly hard going! I can't remember exactly where I placed, but was caught behind a crash which split the field and effectively ended any chances I had of finishing in the top 20.
Whilst my recent preparation has been made a bit more difficult after my recent crash, this hasn't stopped me riding (albeit a bit painfully) so I'll be hoping to go a bit better this weekend.
With myself, Wouter, Dan Duguid, Simon Lawn plus team leader Gary Dodd on the start list and all riding well we should be able to make an impact on the race. I'm also hoping the weather stays as good as it has been for the past week or so.
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Sunday 17 February 2008
Chertsey 17th February
Pretty disappointed today after coming down in the sprint finish from a break group of 8 at the Surrey League MOD Chertsey race.
I was coming to the line the fastest of the front three when I was leaned into by a rider from the Willier sportsbeans race team who I think had switched his line as I was coming up through the middle of him and another rider, this was after he had initially pulled out to the right.
Powertap records I was going 60km/h as I came down so was fairly lucky to get away with nothing more than a bit of road rash. My Powertap rear wheel doesn't look took too healthy though and will require rebuilding perhaps the bill for this should go to Willier Sportsbeans?
See what you think? www.sleepingbearproductions.co.uk were there videoing the finish
Normal speed version
Slo-mo Version
I was coming to the line the fastest of the front three when I was leaned into by a rider from the Willier sportsbeans race team who I think had switched his line as I was coming up through the middle of him and another rider, this was after he had initially pulled out to the right.
Powertap records I was going 60km/h as I came down so was fairly lucky to get away with nothing more than a bit of road rash. My Powertap rear wheel doesn't look took too healthy though and will require rebuilding perhaps the bill for this should go to Willier Sportsbeans?
See what you think? www.sleepingbearproductions.co.uk were there videoing the finish
Normal speed version
Slo-mo Version
Imperial Winter Series Overall
Forgot to mention congratulations to teammate Steve Golla for picking up the 3rd place in the overall.
The series was won by Paul Pickup (BC private member) with Chris Moores (Norwood Paragon) in the runners up slot.
I finished in 4th, so all in all it was a pretty good series for the Sigma team.
The series was won by Paul Pickup (BC private member) with Chris Moores (Norwood Paragon) in the runners up slot.
I finished in 4th, so all in all it was a pretty good series for the Sigma team.
Imperial Winter Series
Yesterday was the final round of the Imperial Winter Series.
Once again I missed the crucial break, which contained Chris McNamara (race winner), Clive Nichols and Jerome Walters.
The main group was neutralised by this move, which quickly gained a minute advantage and later on went on to lap the field.
Not wanting to be lapped I attacked with about 30 minutes to go, and got into a good break with Chris Moores and a young rider from AW cycles. We were riding really well, and taking time out of the lead group. I misread the lap board thinking that I had three to ride and attacked, only to cross the line and see Doug holding out the 5 to go board. Whoops! I was then promtly caught by the other two riders and this then had the effect of slowing our little group right up. The result probably wouldn't have changed though with the peleton about half a lap back and the break about half a lap up. At the finish for some reason I decided to lead the sprint out from the bottom of the hill into a headwind. Some new power records got for me in this sprint, but with 25m to go they both popped out of my draft and whizzed past me! Whoops! But still new power records ! Who cares I came last..... right?
First race on my new bike, and new power records says it all really - it is a super stable machine which just screams speed. A more detailed review of the equipment to come but for now I need to get my arse in gear as i'm off to Chertsey MOD for another race this morning.
Once again I missed the crucial break, which contained Chris McNamara (race winner), Clive Nichols and Jerome Walters.
The main group was neutralised by this move, which quickly gained a minute advantage and later on went on to lap the field.
Not wanting to be lapped I attacked with about 30 minutes to go, and got into a good break with Chris Moores and a young rider from AW cycles. We were riding really well, and taking time out of the lead group. I misread the lap board thinking that I had three to ride and attacked, only to cross the line and see Doug holding out the 5 to go board. Whoops! I was then promtly caught by the other two riders and this then had the effect of slowing our little group right up. The result probably wouldn't have changed though with the peleton about half a lap back and the break about half a lap up. At the finish for some reason I decided to lead the sprint out from the bottom of the hill into a headwind. Some new power records got for me in this sprint, but with 25m to go they both popped out of my draft and whizzed past me! Whoops! But still new power records ! Who cares I came last..... right?
First race on my new bike, and new power records says it all really - it is a super stable machine which just screams speed. A more detailed review of the equipment to come but for now I need to get my arse in gear as i'm off to Chertsey MOD for another race this morning.
Friday 15 February 2008
New faces and new gear!
Exciting week as my new Sigma sport / Specialized / Sportful had its official launch.
Couple of hours were spent at the very nice surroundings of the hampton court golf club meeting the new team and being allowed to get hold of our new equipment.
First time for me for anything like that, felt like xmas with all the goodies were were showered with. The team is blessed with some excellent sponsors, which is fantastic as the gear for the whole team is top-notch. Also top-notch is the quality of the riders within the new look team.
The primary aim of the team will be the premier calender races, with Matt Stephens and Rob Sharman leading the charge at these races. Although i'm not a part of the 7 man squad for this year I will hoping to make some appearances at selected premiers, and hopefully showing that i'll be a valuable asset to the team for next year. All being well my first premier ride for the team will be at the Girvan Stage race at the end of March.
My main role for the year however will be as part of an extremely strong "local" team. This team will be led at races in the South East by Gary Dodd, and includes Steve Gowar and Simon Lawn who have been with the team for a number of years, and new signings Steve Golla, Wouter Sybrandy and myself.
With this team we will have real strength in depth and should be able to have a real influence in races. Our racing calender hasn't been fully decided just yet but its looking March will be a busy one with most of the local team having entries sent off for the Wally Gimber, Jock Wadley and Hounslow Road races.
Couple of nice photos of the team can be seen here on cyclingnews.com
Right off to bed now, last Hillingdon tomorrow and have a 4th place in the overall to defend!
Couple of hours were spent at the very nice surroundings of the hampton court golf club meeting the new team and being allowed to get hold of our new equipment.
First time for me for anything like that, felt like xmas with all the goodies were were showered with. The team is blessed with some excellent sponsors, which is fantastic as the gear for the whole team is top-notch. Also top-notch is the quality of the riders within the new look team.
The primary aim of the team will be the premier calender races, with Matt Stephens and Rob Sharman leading the charge at these races. Although i'm not a part of the 7 man squad for this year I will hoping to make some appearances at selected premiers, and hopefully showing that i'll be a valuable asset to the team for next year. All being well my first premier ride for the team will be at the Girvan Stage race at the end of March.
My main role for the year however will be as part of an extremely strong "local" team. This team will be led at races in the South East by Gary Dodd, and includes Steve Gowar and Simon Lawn who have been with the team for a number of years, and new signings Steve Golla, Wouter Sybrandy and myself.
With this team we will have real strength in depth and should be able to have a real influence in races. Our racing calender hasn't been fully decided just yet but its looking March will be a busy one with most of the local team having entries sent off for the Wally Gimber, Jock Wadley and Hounslow Road races.
Couple of nice photos of the team can be seen here on cyclingnews.com
Right off to bed now, last Hillingdon tomorrow and have a 4th place in the overall to defend!
Sunday 10 February 2008
Perfs Pedal
Been a little quiet on here for past few weeks as i've been getting ready for the start of the road season proper.
I made sure I had an easy week of training leading up to the perfs as I wanted to go in as fresh as possible. With no major races for another month I wanted to get a good result over a more sporting course than hillingdon.
Nice sunny day with little wind meant great weather for racing, although with the sun low in the sky there were still some slippery patches on the road. In fact first lap I nearly fell off twice as had my front wheel lost traction. Luckily though I managed to stay upright, and once i'd figured out the tricky bits made sure I was extra careful over the following laps.
On the 3rd time up the drag I attacked staying in the saddle and a break formed with about 7 riders and most of the main teams represented in it. This group was working well together and so a minute gap was quickly gained over the peleton. I felt really comfortable, despite doing probably doing longer turns than the rest in order to help keep the pace high. However, in this group the unfortunate Chris Moores (Norwood Paragon) took a nasty spill on one of the tricky corners. After this fall the groups rhythm was disrupted somewhat and the main group started to come back. As it hit the bottom of the descent with around 10 miles to go, the peleton was back in sight and closing in. To try and prevent the catch I went on the attack and went off the front alone. However, after some chasing from the teams behind I was caught after about 5 minutes. Immediately James Stewart (KFS) attacked as the race sat up and he quickly gained a good lead. I was a bit annoyed to have let him go so softly as although I had been away on the attack I still felt strong.
With half a lap to ride I saw an opportunity to attack and went off in pursuit of Stewart. Although he was coming back he managed to keep a 10 second margin and secure himself the win. Crossing the line alone in 2nd meant I also managed to avoid the somewhat chaotic bunch sprint as 50 or so riders went after 3rd place.
Lots of photographers around the course today, plus a good crowd of supporters at the finish line. So hopefully there will get a few good shots of me and Steve Golla in our new-look Sigma Sport / Specialized / Sportful kit. Having never used sunglasses before when racing due to fogging up issues, i'm particularly pleased with my new Specialized "miura" sunglasses which were so comfortable I just about forgot I was wearing them on and so could just let them do their job of keeping my eyes safe.
I made sure I had an easy week of training leading up to the perfs as I wanted to go in as fresh as possible. With no major races for another month I wanted to get a good result over a more sporting course than hillingdon.
Nice sunny day with little wind meant great weather for racing, although with the sun low in the sky there were still some slippery patches on the road. In fact first lap I nearly fell off twice as had my front wheel lost traction. Luckily though I managed to stay upright, and once i'd figured out the tricky bits made sure I was extra careful over the following laps.
On the 3rd time up the drag I attacked staying in the saddle and a break formed with about 7 riders and most of the main teams represented in it. This group was working well together and so a minute gap was quickly gained over the peleton. I felt really comfortable, despite doing probably doing longer turns than the rest in order to help keep the pace high. However, in this group the unfortunate Chris Moores (Norwood Paragon) took a nasty spill on one of the tricky corners. After this fall the groups rhythm was disrupted somewhat and the main group started to come back. As it hit the bottom of the descent with around 10 miles to go, the peleton was back in sight and closing in. To try and prevent the catch I went on the attack and went off the front alone. However, after some chasing from the teams behind I was caught after about 5 minutes. Immediately James Stewart (KFS) attacked as the race sat up and he quickly gained a good lead. I was a bit annoyed to have let him go so softly as although I had been away on the attack I still felt strong.
With half a lap to ride I saw an opportunity to attack and went off in pursuit of Stewart. Although he was coming back he managed to keep a 10 second margin and secure himself the win. Crossing the line alone in 2nd meant I also managed to avoid the somewhat chaotic bunch sprint as 50 or so riders went after 3rd place.
Lots of photographers around the course today, plus a good crowd of supporters at the finish line. So hopefully there will get a few good shots of me and Steve Golla in our new-look Sigma Sport / Specialized / Sportful kit. Having never used sunglasses before when racing due to fogging up issues, i'm particularly pleased with my new Specialized "miura" sunglasses which were so comfortable I just about forgot I was wearing them on and so could just let them do their job of keeping my eyes safe.
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