Castle Combe Summer Series 3 - 19/05/2011

It was a lovely bright and sunny evening at Castle Combe for the 3rd round of the summer series.  The 4ths Go-Race didn't get off the ground again so we were all in the 3/4 race.  The pace wasn't that fast and I felt good.

Having found the wheel I wanted I broke away into a break away group of about 6 or 7 but they were all looking at each instead of working together.  Another rider attacked and I sprinted after him and passed him coming out of chicane number 2.  Having a lead of 100m it was decision time, put my head down and go for it or sit up and wait.  Option 1 sounded good but we'd done a couple of 4m 03s laps and my time fastest solo lap is about 5m.  So I waited and got caught at the bottom of Avon rise.

With 1.5 laps to go I was back on the wheel I wanted but going into the second chicane I was pushed out the way when a rider each side of me came in fast to the corner and we ran slightly wide.  I never saw the wheel again.

On the last lap going into Quarry I was working my way down the outside and making up a good few positions when the pack came across and squeezed to the right hand side.  The pace slowed to almost a stop but of course on the left side of the track they were gaining speed for the finish.  Then there was a horrible crash at the front  (Hope it isn't as bad as it looked and he's back riding soon). Riders were swerving in front of me and the new wheel I found who looked strong and was cruising up the outside went on the grass.

That was basically it, all that was left was to try and sprint past as many people as possible.  The leaders were well gone.

The wheel I wanted finished 6th.  The road racing will have to wait a few weeks now till after the French Alps tour !!