Audlem TLI Road Race

Audlem TLI today. 

3 laps at 15 mile a lap… very rolling roads with a couple of short draggy climbs. It all kicked off straight from the gun with people constantly attacking but not really gaining at ground. I had a go myself to test the legs but realised nothing was going yet. About 10 mile into the first lap a small group drifted off the front containing 5 or so riders, next thing Gareth McGuiness (energy cycles) came flying out of the bunch to bridge the gap to the break with a couple of riders trying to hold his wheel. Unfortunately I missed that move as the break drifted about 10-15 seconds in front of the bunch. I had to make my move quickly if I wanted to get into that break because I knew it was the one to be in. Up one of the small drags I sprinted out the saddle and started to make ground on the break, looking back with no one on my wheel. I pressed on to get into the move. For the next 1.5 laps we worked really well together gaining time on the bunch (don’t hold me to this, but I think we had about a 4 minute 30second gap)

So coming into the last 5 or so miles people started to stretch their legs trying to go off the front. I was patient and just held the wheels waiting for the right move. Again it was Gareth McGuiness who kept firing off the front, I went with him twice but I could tell he wanted to be on his own all the way to the finish. Eventually the string snapped and he got the gap he wanted leaving us all chasing. The 1km sign was upon us and I was 3rd wheel coming into the drag up to the finish which was about 250m uphill. I managed to take 2nd in the sprint meaning I was placed 3^rd.

Overall really enjoyed the circuit, it suited me very well. Thanks to Audlem for organising the event.

Photos below…

Sprint ...me taking 2nd

Break working well

Earlyer in the week was the litherland circuit league. Results below. 

Category 2/3/4
1 Michael Rawson Kuota – Spinergy – GSG 39m. 17s.
2 Henry Hunter Teamwallis CHH Racing Team st.
3 Ryan Pike High on Bikes @ 16 Secs.
4 David Grindley North Cheshire Clarion @ 36 Secs.
5 Stuart Percival GB Fire Service st.
6 David Kent St Helens C.R.C. st.
7 Paul Cheetham Team IOPTiX.co.uk st.
8 Dean Higham H. Middleton C.C. @ 56 Secs.
9 Ryan Whatmough Team Terminator @ 1 Lap
10 Mark McGavock Southport C.C. Same
11 James Thompson Liverpool Mercury (Dolan) C.C. Same
12 Joshua Townson Dirtwheels Cycles Same
13 Nick Hall Bury Clarion Same
14 Ian Kendall Liverpool Century R.C. Same
15 Martin Wallis Teamwallis CHH Racing Team @ 2 Laps
16 Martin Usher Time R.T. Same

Category 4th
1 Joe Bennett Warrington R.C. 26m. 58s.
2 Dave Martin Red Rose Olympic CC @ 5 Secs.
3 Paul Mower St Helens C.R.C. @ 11Secs.
4 David Rathbone Cleveleys RC st.
5 David Reece Liverpool Mercury (Dolan) C.C. @ 27 Secs.
6 Mike Cleary Manchester Wheelers st.
7 Paul Sparrow Cleveleys RC 57 Secs
8 Rob Longden North Cheshire Clarion @ 1m.07 Secs.
9 David Yeoman North Cheshire Clarion st.
10 Jon Taylor Biketreks Racing Academy @ 1 Lap
11 Ruth Taylor Biketreks Racing Academy Same
12 Alasdair Wearing BC Private Member Same
13 Paul McNerney Liverpool Mercury (Dolan) C.C. Same

Also congratulations to High on Bikes Boss man Mike Rumph for taking a win at Kirkby Track league on Friday. He’s still got the power!

Frank Morgan Road Race 2013 (3rd)

Another cold but sunny days racing around Kirkby Industrial estate but the shorts were on and I was up for today. So race day was pretty enjoyable, many people trying to break away with no success. I had a few goes myself but nothing was sticking. 

Andy Wright told me where to attack (kodak factory) and I did... Stayed away for two laps at a comfortable effort but no one was making the move across to me which I was hoping they would have. So two laps later I came back to the bunch and recovered after that effort. A lap or so later I found myself in another break, which again was not the right one. The race had come down to about 8 laps to go. Something had to stick soon, coming into that bend by the kodak factory there was a group of about 5 riders about 10 seconds in front. This was the move to be in... David Williams looked like he was dropping back to the bunch but then rode away getting onto the break. My team mate John Guy (High on Bikes) did a great job of attacking getting three quarters of the way across to the break. I then made my effort across to John and carrying on to the break hoping John would get on my wheel but he didn’t. I owe John for that one! This was the break that was going all the way to the finish. It contained me Ryan Pike (High on Bikes) David Williams (kuota) Frank Pilkington (Bill Nicksons cycles) Richard Watson (Paramount Stans cycles) and Kristian Zentek (Team Leapfrog) and Tim Lawson (wheelbase) We all started to work well together with the laps counting down... We had about 30 seconds on the bunch and it kept jumping up to a minute and then coming back down. Obviously the bunch were trying the hardest to bring us back. With 3 laps to go Tim Lawson hit one of the many pot holes on the course, causing him to puncture and resulting in the 6 strong break going to a 5 man break. One of the two lead cars pulled over to get behind the break at that point I knew we were away for good. Riding through the bell lap I was feeling great, even if I was feeling like I wanted to throw up. Coming into the final bend still all 5 of us together it was a tail wind finish. Frank and Kristian had a tiny advantage and managed to get 1st (Frank) and 2nd (Kristian) and me taking 3rd in a very close sprint. Over all I am very happy with my performance and fitness at this stage of the season.

Sprint finish for the 5 man break away

3rd place for Ryan Pike

2.6 miles, 2:07:40, 24.7 average (race)

 

1st: Frank Pilkington, Bill Nixon Cycles, 

2nd: Kris Zentek, Team Leapfrog

3rd: Ryan Pike, High On Bikes

 

My two team mates.

 

16th  Dillion Yates High On Bikes 

31st  John Guy High on Bikes st