Bearley Circuit Sunday 4th June
A local circuit, so not much travelling which is a great bonus and both a competitive course and riders. 6 Laps of 8 Miles including the Bearley and Wolverton climbs/slopes.
It was also GREAT to see another Wheeler in the car park venturing into BMCR Racing. Well done John Murphy.
The E Category (60-64) set off – so only 5 minutes to wait so looked around and made sure I recognised the main dangers (5 riders noted) and we were off.
Like all of the races done so far this year the first lap was attack followed by chase and then attack again. I was keeping my eye particularly on Nick Giles who was extremely active and obviously wanted to get away and Time Trial to Victory. After one lap I commented to one of my fellow competitors that I had used up 7 of my 10 sprints that I normally have in a race just to follow the danger moves!
Laps went by with continued but not as frequent attacks by individuals and small groups but they were only short lasting. I appreciated seeing and hearing support from a few Wheelers (cycling or standing) around the loop.
The average speed dropped a little but was still firm. I was still keeping my eye on certain riders and continued to cover attacks and then on the penultimate lap counter attacked with Haydn Davies (who had also been active during the second half of the race) as we settled after our initial effort he commented “S… or Bust” All or Nothing was The Call and for the next mile we put our heads down and did Bit & Bit Riding fully committing to our effort.
I looked over my shoulder on one of the longest straights and the bunch was out of sight. I was now thinking this could be a winning move (it certainly was the most the bunch had let riders get up the road) and we both continued to work well together. After another mile I looked over my shoulder again and could see the bunch some way back but more threatening I recognised “The Orange” shirt of Nick Giles on the front!
Despite our best efforts – We were doomed!
Caught with a lap to go, still in the race but needing to adjust my plan.
Try and recover from the efforts made but still be attentive to important dangerous moves. With half a lap to go I change my plan and start looking for the newly crowned National Champion and top sprinter/finisher Steve Wilkinson (who I had not seen much of throughout the race to date).
A bad choice, as I drifted to the back a move goes of 3 top riders and followed solo by Nick Giles who makes short of getting over to them and commits.
Panic sets in to a few in the bunch, who realise and can find any energy to do something about it – that is about 3 or 4 of us including the desperate Wilky (who is leading the series). We pass Geoff Rawlinson who is on the floor after touching a wheel in the break. 3 left to catch.
We turn the corner in Bearley with the climb to come and there is only Steve and I doing the chasing and despite his pleading I decide to do no more as I know he has done very little all race and as leader of the series it is his race to lose. We pass another rider from the break, who has none left.
Onto the final slope and no chance of getting across to the first two now but I have given everything and just about holding Steve’s wheel. Just before the line one of the two we were towing goes past and I have nothing left so roll across the line behind Steve for 5th again.
A good race won by Nick, a very worthy winner. Congratulations to him.
A few weeks off now for me and then the National Handicap Championships at Priors Marston.
Author: Mac
Date: 4th June 2023
