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!