23/05/09
A cracking evening for racing, the sun was out for a change and a big crowd had gathered around the course in the centre of Totnes. The event proved very popular and several riders couldn’t get a ride as the maximum number of 50 entrants had been reached. The course itself was a small circuit with a few cobbled sections and some tight corners, with a steep cobbled hill to finish. The racing was fast from the off with everyone wanting to be towards the front. After only a few laps the field was blown apart with the stronger riders setting a fast pace out of the corners. A group of around 15 – 20 riders had pulled clear of the main field and shortly afterwards the bunch was lapped and pulled out from the race. So it was now down to the remaining 20 riders, soon a group of six riders got away, including Blake Pond (south fork racing), Jake Durant (Mid Devon cc), Gary Chambers (www.cyclelogic.co.uk), Ben Simmons (www.wiggle.co.uk), Andy Hoskings (Cardiff jif) and a Forza Rider. We worked well together at first and built on our lead, but slowly the group began to not work well together. Going in a tight corner my rear tyre blew out and I went down quite hard, thankfully a rider who had been pulled out gave me his wheel and I got back into the race, a big thank you to that rider!! Just as I got back on, now only able to ride on my drops as my hoods had bent inwards, the race came back together and at the same time Blake Pond went off the front which proved to be the race winning move. Onto the finishing hill, the crowd was cheering us on all the way up. Jake Durant took second place and I out sprinted Ben Simmons to take third. The three of us were briefly interviewed about the race in front the crowd during the presentation at the top of the climb. Overall a really good race and evening for all involved, which was organised very well my Mid Devon cc.
Pulling the break along.
Not sure who to thank for the pictures - but please get in touch and I will credit you.
