Race Report – Sigma Sport/ Twickenham CC Masters #3 Hillingdon Cycle Circuit 11/05/2016

Sigma Sport/ Twickenham CC Masters #3 Hillingdon Cycle Circuit 11/05/2016

Mid Devon CC Race Team masters rider Jason Kettle with another impressive result!

This is a series I really enjoy riding whilst in London. You always get very strong field and some fantastic racing week in week out.

Today was damp with some very angry weather overhead, thankfully, the threatening downpour held off!

The race started fast from the off! Riders trying to start a break going within the first few laps, always catches out those who haven’t warmedup sufficiently! Thankfully, I’m never in this situation.

It wasn’t until after about 30 mins I managed to get the party started, getting away with 4 others, all working well together, but only dangling

between 8-10 seconds off the front of a pursuing bunch!

But, ‘the break is not caught, until its caught’!

Then another 4 riders managed to bridge across after the small climb on the circuit, and with the bunch strung out, there’s not many riders willing to ‘red line it’ bringing it back together.

So now as a break of 9, we had a far better chance of success. I quickly marshaled the troops into a very smooth running ‘through and off’ arrangement. (aka ‘chaingang’)

Which is essential if the break is to stay away.

This soon started working very well with the gap quickly growing to over a min.

Then the 5 lap board goes out and we started to get a few passengers!

But, all things considered, you have to keep things moving, otherwise you’re gonna get caught, which after all that hard work, is not very welcome in my mind.  

Into the last lap and plenty of shenanigans going on, but coming into to hairpin and final climb, before the long 400mtrs to the line, 

I found myself 3rd wheel. I usually just go with 300mtrs to go, head down and lurch for the line, but I waited until 250, because of the passengers! Opened up my sprint, Head down with 100% absolute commitment, the line was approaching fast, but, alas so was the passengers!?!?!

2nd by inches on the line! Still,

Two 2nd’s within a week, in London, with strong fields, is not all bad at my age!