ARMY CYCLING UNION/ALLSPORTS INTERNATIONAL ENERGY PRODUCTS EELMORE CIRCUIT RACES 11 JUNE 2003

3/4/W/V/J - 35 laps = 37 miles

A fine summery evening greeted the riders this week, but there was quite a wind, making it tough up the home straight and up the very slight rise.  There was a good turnout for the 3/4/W/V/J event and the racing was attacking and fast with another very tight sprint finish.  VC Meudon once again took the honours after setting up Nick Allen for the sprint.  The Meudon 3/4's have their lead out train well sorted and took 1st and 2nd in the gallop with Lee Smith clinching silver ahead of Simon Styles (Swindon Wheelers).  The rest was a big bunch finish which took some sorting out due to a couple of the organising officials sorting out some errant youths on mopeds attempting to get on the circuit.  A very good ride by Junior James Boyman who was up on the bunch, out alone by about 2/3rds of a lap at one point, until he started to fade and the bunch realised he might well stay away subsequently upping the pace and swallowing him up.  Ouch!

Result

1    Nick Allen                VC Meudon

2    Lee Smith                VC Meudon

3    Simon Styles            Swindon Wheelers

4    Andrew Dilkes        VC Meudon

5    Paul Bishop            Pearson's Cycles

6    Jim Orr                    VC Meudon

7    Fergus Brady            Pearson's Cycles

8    Craig Tindall            Finsbury Park CC

9    Phil Marland            Army CU

10    Adrian Hill            Army CU

E/1/2 - 45 laps = 48 miles

Well, where do I start!!!  Team tactics sorted out the events of the night for the E/1/2 event, but unlike in the 3/4 event, the VC Meudon kind of cocked it up!  They had a guy attempting to get up to the break of three and totally disrupted any chase attempt by the 10 strong bunch, containing 3 Meudon riders.  No problems so far - until your rider in the break blows and then your team do very little to try and pull it all back together and therefore end up with now't!  The break went early and contained Justin Hoy (Liphook Cycles RT), Tom Smith (Prestige VC.Com/Viner) and Christopher Minter (Pedal On.Co.uk), three very strong riders.  Paul Holdsworth took up the chase with Russell Scott of the Meudon, but he blew or had a mechanical and Paul managed to get onto the leading three.  It was then game over really.  A chase of sorts was organised in the bunch, but too many individuals thought they were strong enough to ride across themselves and kept attacking, disrupting the chase and leaving the few prepared to work together rather frustrated!  So, once again the race was up the road and the bunch had pretty much given up hope of ever getting them back - a tip to all would be racers - get in the break early in 2/3/4 races as the rest of 'em are likely to forget about you and concentrate on 4th/5th or the shower placings!

After all that waffle, Tom Smith and Justin broke away from Paul and Chris and contested a very close sprint - won by Tom - just about by a couple of tyre widths!  Paul blew a bit and this allowed Chris to ride across the line in third.  In the laughing group, John Danter tried to chip off the front with about 8 laps to go, but "he ain't no tester" and didn't have the legs to stay out there into the savage wind.  he was reeled in but still managed a few points down in 9th, so not bad.  Out of the last corner, everyone was together and cranking it up, but coming fast around the corner on the outside and winding up the 53x11, was yours truly, timing it just right to lead Alan Flight (Luciano Cycles) and Adrian Green (Peloton) over the line comfortably.  Just rewards for the three of those prepared to work together most of the time.

Result

1    Tom Smith            Prestige VC.com/Viner

2    Justin Hoy            Liphook Cycles RT

3    Christopher Minter    Pedal On.co.uk

4    Paul Holdsworth    Hounslow & District Wheelers

5    Gary Kristensen    Army CU

6    Alan Flight            Team Luciano Cycles

7    Adrian Green        Peloton

8    Russell Scott        VC Meudon

9    John Danter        VC Meudon

10    Phil Roberts        Reading CC

Youths - 20 minutes + 1 lap

Joy and jubilation was the reaction tonight when the other youngster found out Gareth Dickinson wasn't riding due to having a cold for the last few days!  Poor Rob Jackson (Farnborough & Camberley CC/Luciano Cycles) was second again after James Boyman (Team Luciano) turned up and took over the mantle of winner - temporarily according to Gareth!  Challenge laid down me thinks!  Chris Newman and Rob Allen had a bit of a ding dong battle for 3rd and 4th throughout the race and Laura Allen rode strong for 5th with under 10 rider Andrew Ferris (F & C CC/Luciano Cycles) looking good and riding well to come in 6th.  Young Andrew is improving week in, week out under the guidance and encouragement of his dad Stephen, himself riding in the 3/4 event as a strong vet who often contends the sprint.

Result

1    James Boyman        Team Luciano

2    Robert Allen            F & C CC/Luciano Cycles

3    Chris Newman        Farnham RC

4    Robert Allen            F & C CC/Luciano Cycles

5    Laura Allen            F & C CC/Luciano Cycles

6    Andrew Ferris        F & C CC/Luciano Cycles

Just a quick note to show my appreciation for those that turn up every week to help out, in particular my better half and Lorraine Day, mother of Lee Day, who turned up this week even though Lee was slightly injured and decided not to race.  I suppose I should mention commissaire Colin Docker as it's always a pleasure to get "Dockered"* and there's always a few deserve it too, me included most of the time!

Eelmore is not on for the next three weeks due to two cancellations (circuit unavailable) and a de-confliction with the Guildford Crits on 2nd July, so we'll see you all at the next one on 9th July.  Until then - take care.

* Dockered - to be told off, corrected, put in line with BC rule's and reg's (in the nicest possible way of course), put straight, threatened with a fine, disqualified or any other punishment befitting the crime!