So a thorough update is in order, however there is not enough time! I will therefore summarize as best I can and then dip back in and expand when things have leveled out.
The Ras de Cymru stage race 26th-30th June, was aborted due to a Neck injury that prevented me from even driving for 4 days, real shame, so gutted after putting in so much work and not being able to race with the team. Also apologies to missing Uncle Clive's Birthday celebrations! I hope you had a great day.
Belgium 2-12th July I was fixed just in time and was a great trip and a really productive experience, my best result was 21st out of 120 other riders, Omega Pharma quick step were there (the feeder team for Mark Cavendish's team), as well as Lotto Bellisol, another feeder team for strong riders.
We raced for two days on and one off, meaning we raced 6 times in the 10 days we spent in Ghent, overall a tough ride but very worthwhile.
Unfortunately upon return I caught a bug and took 5 days off the bike, with a trial ride on the 2nd day with the local chain gang that ended in me overcooking a climb and nearly blacking out on the descent!! I decided to pull out of the group and try to recover be lying down while my heart stopped trying to pump its way out of my eye balls.
On the 5th day, ill prepared with unshaven legs, arriving 15 minutes before the start of the rockingham Regional C circuit race and with my heavy training wheels (not especially race-quite heavy, with wire beaded tires too) I smashed round the course, fresh from Belgium and a whole new understanding of tactics, I took 1st place by 5 meters sprinting hard into the hairpin before the final straight, shelling riders off my wheel as I held the fastest shadyiest line I could manage, maintaining speed through the corner then drilling away on the exit to a suprisingly comfortable win.
Following the Rockingham success, the team and I completed the silverstone 9 man team time trail the day after. It was intense and involved the loss of 4 riders in the first lap but we recieved 6th place out of 52 teams, only 14 seconds of the podium. Our time for the course of 11 miles was 23:23 minutes. Not too bad considering no practice beforehand, our average speed for our first lap was 32mph and we had the fastest first lap of the day.
See our team below!
The third day of racing was held in Bournemouth town center, where literally thousands came to watch and really added an extra electricity to the atmosphere. There were 60 elite riders to compete against, most in teams of at least 4.
The 1.6 km circuit was tight, windy with short powerful climbs and flat out stretches where speeds were reaching 45 mph, I sussed out the last corner to be a strong dictator for a good finishing place and held in there till the end where I muscled up to the leading team and tried to squeeze further up, I was blocked, but managed to take 6th place following a hectic bunch sprint our of the last right angle corner onto the straight.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/britishcyclingphotos/sets/72157634732218734/show/with/9331926007/
Do check out the picures from British cycling!
Here's a little bit by the organsiser:
Inspired by the success of the Nocturne races of Smithfield Market place London, Bournemouth will close major roads within the town centre for the first time to host a series of elite races.
Kicking off Bournemouth’s Criterium will be the women’s Cat 2, 3, and 4 at 6pm which will then be followed the men’s National B Cat 1, 2,and 3 at 7pm.
Taking in some of Bournemouth’s best sights, the 1.5km course has both technical areas and long straight sections, and should appeal to all types of riders. Starting in the heart of the Town centre, the route flows between ascents and descents and incorporates a number of pinch points where only the toughest will survive. Having jostled and fought for a good position those leading the pack will head onto a downhill straight to the finish. Picking up speed as they go, the route will provide a spectacular for riders and spectators alike.
Held as part of this year’s Night Sky Ride event, and promoted by Sky Ride in partnership with British Cycling the racing is expected to attract thousands to take part throughout the evening. People are encouraged to bring their families along to watch or take part in the Sky Ride that will be held in unison. Finishing off the evening will be a ‘Nightglow Procession’ - the town’s first ever bike light spectacular, where participants of all ages will be able to take part. So, you get to race and bring the family too – win, win!
For now I have been given a very exciting opportunity which involves a fair amount of travel and a total change of life style from here in Oxford. I will disclose the details of this shortly but with the beginning of this new challenge ends the fun times in Oxford with Abi, who's pointed out quite how much I have to do to get ready for my departure and how little time I have. I am so grateful for all of Abi's help, literally too many occasions to list and hope I am able to do a better job of reassuring her things will be ok while I am away,
Stand by for the next update,
