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agiskoviner.com
Eelmore, UK August 3, 2005
A bit of a gusty evening, but the sun broke through and it all perked up! From threatening rain, the racing was run off under blue skies thankfully, though it was tough out there the whole way round this week. No places to hide if you're out on the front, as a few people found to their detriment. Read on!
In the Elite/1/2 event, the group fractured under constant hard riding and attacks about a third of the way into the race. The front group was pressured several times by attacks from Phil Starr (Starr Guttering RT), Anders Christensen (VC Meudon) and Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles RT) mainly, however, it was always brought back together by the strength of the riders chasing. That decisive breakaway group was just not happening this week it appeared, so it looked like Justin Hoy (Evans Cycles RT) was favourite, as he usually is in a sprint at Eelmore. That was, until he punctured coming into the tight bottom corner, and did really well to stay on his bike, not take anyone else off (yours truly was just behind him and had to take avoiding action) and get back into the fray after a quick lap out to change the wheel. As is usual, Paul Pickup attacked with five to go and gained a reasonable gap that widened as the chase group tried to organise themselves. With Lee Day (Paul's team mate) sitting on, everyone was conscious not to give him a free ride, but we were also determined to pull Paul back, as we've all ridden here enough before to know exactly that Paul is going to do!
Why does he get away with it then? Maybe it's his strength when he attacks, and his timing, but I prefer to call it luck, as he's a bit of a chipper!!! Really! On the bell lap, Anders and myself had closed to within 20 metres and Lee Day had also got across to us, but I was 10 metres off Anders and hoping Lee would close the gap with me on his wheel. Up the finishing straight and Anders had the strength to catch Paul for a well deserved win, while Paul, obviously worn out from his efforts out alone rolled over the line for another well deserved placing. I was determined that Lee would not get 3rd after his relatively free ride on the back of the lead group, thanks to Paul being out front and chased, so I let him lead it out all the way from the corner and jumped him with 100 to go, beating his ass fair and square! The rest contested for the top 10 in dribs and drabs, knowing full well they had had a good workout tonight!
For the 3/4/Women/Veteran/Juniors, the same challenge was laid down for them to beat Lewis fair and square to receive a free entry for next week's event, but yet again, everyone failed! This week the two juniors - Lewis Atkins (Glendene CC/Biketrax) and James Boyman (www.agiskoviner.com) - who have featured so heavily off the front every time they have raced, were joined by 15 year old Toby Meadows (www.agiskoviner.com) for much of the race off the front; however, Toby faded towards the end and was swallowed up by the fast closing bunch. This young man has a real future in the sport if he continues to improve and develop as he has done so far, under the careful and watchful eye of his dad and the junior and youth team manager.
Results
Elite/1/2 1 Anders Christensen (VC Meudon) 2 Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles RT) 3 Gary Kristensen (www.agiskoviner.com) 4 Lee Day (Liphook Cycles RT) 5 Phil Starr (Starr Guttering RT) 6 Justin Hoy (Evans Cycles RT) 7 Adrian Goatley (www.agiskoviner.com) 8 Dave Larcombe (VC Meudon) 9 Philip Gough (Portwood Cycles) 10 John Veness (Evans Cycles RT) 3/4/W/V/J 1 Lewis Atkins (Glendene CC/Biketrax) 2 James Boyman (www.agiskoviner.com) 3 Mark Bremner (VC Meudon) 4 Steve Alexander (Python RT/Ixia/Regen) 5 Jonathan Maher (Sigma Sport) 6 Steve Elms (i-team.co.uk) 7 Nick Onslow (pedalon.co.uk) 8 Ross Mallon (RAF CC) 9 Glenn Duffy (VC Godalming) Youths 1 Andrew Ferris (F & C CC) 2 Sam Serruya (Palmer Park Velo) 3 Chris Legg (Palmer Park Velo) 4 Harvey Watson (Velocity)
