9th OVERALL; 1ST STANDARD
Return visit to this rural twisty course, not my forte. Mojo not high, but know I must get races under my belt...2 plus laps, even thought of bailing after one lap, very briefly of course. Felt OK, probably rode conservatively, due to lack of confidence. Finished in 9th place, where expected according to Spindata...and only a few seconds slower than last year in 55-23....won Standard.
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1st Overall; Course PB 19-56
Compared to Saturday, could not have contrasted any more...felt strong, smooth, consistent and increased power in 2nd half to where I would expect. Broke 20 mins for the first time, taking nearly 30 secs off my course PB (from 2017 though) and winning on the night. More importantly I felt good and I got another race under my belt.
8th Overall; 1st on Standard; 1st Team - Lincolnshire Champs
Third race, but first 10 since crash comeback. AND...as we all know, these shorter V02 Max efforts are far bloody tougher than the longer races...like starting the season again, the body was in a right state. By even 5 miles I was unsure how I could finish, and somehow got through particularly the last three miles...really fvckin hurt, like you would not do it again!! ðĪŠ
Finished 8th overall, actually only a handful of seconds slower than last year...but defo down on normal expectation.
Won the team title with Stuart and Andy, well supported by Tony. ð
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8th Overall; 2nd in Championship
Really not expecting to be able to race this event due to the earlier crash and injuries, but somehow got to the start line. Must admit, before the race I was not overly enthusiastic...but had to motivate myself for the start line. Felt like I was going pretty well, power started where I wanted it, but it did drop ultimately to 294w which is probably about 12w minimum at where I should be at least.
Completed in a time of 1-49-09, some 2 mins slower than my slowest attempt (of three previous races) on this course, but hoped in the Standard comp, it would be good enough to steal the National jersey? Alas, no...2nd by just 14 seconds from Chris McNamara who in fairness deserved to win (well...ð) by nearly breaking the course record and breaking 1-40 on his actual time.
Cannot deny I didn't take it well, although, many plaudits for even making the start line...but that doesn't equate to a winners jersey!! ðŦ
Must add that a certain young lady was hot on my heels, barely 15 secs behind me...Angela Carpenter, amazing ride by her...and won the overall Championship, again! Well done that girl ð
FROM THE VTTA WEBSITE
The 50 Mile Championship saw some very fast times on an afternoon that was warm, sunny and dry. A southerly breeze, however, was quite gusty at times, and made conditions less than ideal. The R50/1B course features two laps between Abergavenny and Monmouth, mainly on dual carriageway but with a rolling 5 mile section on a country road that adds to the challenge.
The men’s championship was a very tight finish with the top three within just 31 seconds of each other on standard and Vets Handicap Result (VHR). Christopher McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport-London RT) took the gold medal with the fastest actual time on the day of 1:39:54, only 38 seconds short of the course record. Silver went to Keith Ainsworth (Lindsey Roads Cycling Club), a specially commendable ride given his recent return from a training accident, and bronze went to David Shepherd (..a3crg). Their VHR times were 1:37:08, 1:37:22, 1:37:39. A very close finish indeed!
In the women’s championship Angela Carpenter continued her unbeatable form with a stunning time of 1:49:24 giving her a VHR of 1:30:30. This was a new course record and a Welsh record by more than 2 minutes. Angela’s fellow ..a3crg team members Claire Emons and Sarah Matthews took the silver and bronze medals respectively giving them a clean sweep of the podium.
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POST "THE CRASH" ðŦðĨð
5TH OVERALL; 1ST VETS STANDARD
Just 3 days after my last race, whilst training "out east" (12th April) - went flying over the bars, after doing a full bore 10 sec effort as part of a warm up, cleat came out of right pedal. Awoke after short unconsciousness and eventually was ambulanced to the Northern General...X-Rays and CT Scan proved no breaks nor head damage (well, no more than normal) but clearly ligament, joint and soft tissue issues...couldn't sleep laying down for 3 days....after 5 days realised could turn the indoor trainer, and within 10 days was doing some hard sessions....so....
Barely 4 weeks since my crash, and racing already. Went outdoors on the previous Tuesday for a 75 min spin, then did some easing in threshold efforts on Wednesday on TT bike. Followed close advice of physio Rob Leckie, which I thought was rather optimistic, but he proved to be spot on...pain still there, but no chance of regression and manageable (actually more so outdoors than in tuck position on indoor trainer). Also aligned with Richard setting me an indoor programme to keep the fitness levels reasonable.
As expected though, although completed ok...usual numbers quite down at 319w (20w down on last year) and at least a minute down on time...finished 5th overall...but good to get back outdoors and a race under the belt. Last 5+ miles was very tough, when normally I finish strong....won the team prize |(if there was one!). Really did not expect tp race at all in May!
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