As the season draws ever closer to ending, and the air takes a decidedly autumnal turn the road racers of this world start thinking about when their season will end. For me, with fifty points still to go if I want an elite license and no win for the year there is still plenty of motivation.
Today was a chance to get that win, at the Giles Ree Memorial race held on the amazing Beachy Head circuit in Sussex. This race was in danger of slipping off the calendar until Alan Denman rescued it and moved it to the new course. Essentially the race climbs up from East Dean to the top of Beachy Head, turns back into the wind and then a fast run back to the bottom of the climb. Perfect. You even get the Samaritans sign after the finish to talk you out of jumping off the cliff rather than take another lap of pain.
The field was smallish but strong, with Dan Staite (Python RT) fresh from two wins at the Surrey League 5 day, and numerous others on some late season form. Straight from the off moves started to go, with team mate James Beaumont in one early move. After the first climb the race started to come together and another move went, and as it was caught various counter attacks shot off including moves with Dan Kogan (BMC), Ian Paine (London Dynamo), Matt Melville (AW Cycles) and a duo of Staite and John Heaton-Armstrong (Fit-For). I wasn’t immediately worried with several strong riders still in the bunch, and proceeded to hammer it up the climb to try and get things moving.
Alarm bells started to ring at the top as the break was still some way up the road and on looking back the race had split up with only a group of twenty-five or so chasing. Actually chasing is the wrong word- only myself, Alex Higham (Wyndy Millar) and Ishmael Burdeau (Agiskoviner) tried to drive things, with cameos from others at times. Before long, in spite of some strong efforts up the climb the break pulled out to over two minutes, and each time what was left of the bunch climbed another rider or two were shelled off the back.
After a slightly frustrating final few laps. the bell lap came, and in the head wind coming into the descent David Streule (London Dynamo) put in a dig, taking a rider from SURC (didn’t catch his name- he was strong up the climbs though!). I liked the look of this so put in a monster sprint to detach myself from the rest and bridge across, making the junction fairly easily. The three of us worked well, and it was clear those behind lacked the motivation and legs to chase hard.
Coming into the finish climb, I sat on to watch the other two, and the SURC rider put in an attack, before releasing a “F**K” which I took to be an indicator of cramp. Taking this chance, I went for it and moved away to the finish for seventh place. Dan Staite took the win having made a bold attack on the final lap, a fine way to take victory.
In spite of missing the key move of the day, this was a thoroughly enjoyable race. Normally I would be annoyed at not giving myself the chance to win (and of course I still am a bit!) but the spectacular scenery, extreme nature of the course and generally good roads (the climb itself was super-smooth, used for gravity sports apparently) made this a race I would want to do for years to come. The only trouble is, if I get to elite I won’t be able to!!
The last chance points grabbing continues…
RACE:
Duration: 3:31:51
Work: 3247 kJ
TSS: 299.5 (intensity factor 0.921)
Norm Power: 313
VI: 1.23
Pw:HR: 0.36%
Pa:HR: 6.32%
Distance: 127.152 km
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 1360 255 watts
Heart Rate: 110 187 162 bpm
Cadence: 35 246 96 rpm
Speed: 14.4 70.9 35.9 kph
Pace 0:51 4:10 1:40 min/km
Crank Torque: 0 159.3 25.3 N-m
Loved your report Steve. Like you I thoroughly enjoyed the circuit – only wish a) I was in better form and b) I had the rest of the day to spend down at the beach.
Seriously though you rode well today – defo the strongest in our group by far. For what it’s worth we did have a few digs during the first half, but when my team mate went up the road that was it for me (just as well too
)
Here’s hoping you get that elusive Elite license soon.
That was pretty tough. Not the best course for being with five guys all 10-15kg lighter than you! One of hardest working breaks been in for quite a while; was clear from early on that break would go to finish although whether I’d still be there was less certain.