New members

Welcome to our two latest recruits, Elizabeth Strarup from Pagham and Rob Fields from Southbourne.

Racing round up

Congratulations to Shaun Smart who won the latest mid-week 3/4 category race. Shaun had been away with Phil Burton of Fareham Wheelers for the majority of the race. It was the usual affair of the bunch closing the gap when riders chased, but then the gap growing again when they eased up. Several times it looked like the gap would be closed, but eventually, late into the race, Al Murison who had won the two preceeding events bridged across.
Phil Burton started to fade and was dropped. It looked like it was curtains for Shaun when Murison jumped him. A quick look behind confirmed to Shaun that it was worth persisting and he clawed his way back. Al Murison led out the sprint and looked to have the upper hand as Shaun was forced to go the long way round him and was clearly closing, but would he run out of time to catch him?
So close was the gap at the finish that the judges initially gave the win to young Al. As he left for the evening Shaun believed he had finished second, but a later check by the judges of the photo finish camera reversed the decision. Shaun also moves up to second category status.

Richard Bevan, Mark Warrington, Alex Rice and Paul O'Donovan making his debut also rode to make it a Velo boys' night out. Full results here.
In the following elite race we had young Tobes (Toby Neave) and yours truly on the start line. I decided to kick off the action early with an attack which formed the race winning break. Toby bridged across later. In the final Toby was 4th and I finished 7th before falling off and severley denting my pride on the way home. Doh!
Pete McGuiness was our fastest in the Bognor ten mile TT on Thursday with 23:16 for second place. Paul O'Donovan posted a healthy 24:04 just ahead of Mike Cooper with 24:10. Jason Davis, Mary Campbell, Alistair Mallett and James Woodward also rode. Results here.

L'Etape

Amanda Cayford, Simon Pattinson, Phil Phillips, Pete Dennis and Shaun Smart all ride the Etape in the Pyrenees. They go over the Tourmalet and Hautacam. Chapeau!

Races to enter

For the last two years I have ridden the Internationale Kampioenschappen van Woesten which has been one of the highlights of the year for me. I plan to ride again this year and would encourage others to ride this unique event. It all takes place near Poperinge and Ieper (Ypres in French) near the Flanders/French border. An area known for the lack of hills and lots of beer! It's a unlicencsed event which means anyone can ride. The race is based upon an individual time trial and a handicap road race. It's all run around narrow farm lanes with lots of bends. A great event which I strongly recommend. There is also lots to see and do in the area which is strongly associated with Ypres Salient during World War I. It's a short hop to the sandy beach at De Panne. It's about an hour's drive from Calais. You can read my write up about last year's event here. Last year's winner is the reigning ICF World Champion, was second to Greg Lemond in the junior World Championships and rode as a professional for La Redoubte.

New members

Welcome to new members Mary Campbell and Jason Davis from Chichester and Mike Cooper.

Racing round up

Toby Neave entered his first road race at Dunsfold Park last week and blagged it by going off with the 2nd cats. They won't let him do that again because shortly after all the groups merged he joined me in the winning break of seven. I came through when I could, but Toby looked quite strong. We both struggled on the last lap to finish (Toby) 6th and me 7th. Shaun Smart finished 15th and picked up 6 prime points to stay close to the top 10 overall.
Benjamin Stirling was third in the under 12s at Portsmouth.

Races to enter

Paul O'Donovan is keen to ride the Duo Normand in Normandy. Paul writes "This years Duo Normand is being held on the 21st of September. It's a 54Km 2-up time trial on closed roads in Normandy, France. If you fancy a go, I will need to know by around the end of June so I can look at getting lodgings and ferry crossings booked in July. The plan is to get the ferry from Portsmouth to Le-Harve on the Friday and return Monday. If you want to read a bit more about the event and the history, have a look at the site.
http://www.duonormand.com/accueil_eng.php
To give you an idea of the entry cost, I only have last years fee at the moment of 22Euro.
I know a few of you have expressed an interest and I think this would be a great event for the club."
You need to either have a BC licence or a doctor's letter as the Duo site says ... "Note to the attention of the engagé(e)s not having a licence FFC or BCF: the runners not-bachelors will have to deposit with the catch of their number a medical certificate of noncounter-indication with the sporting practice of less than 6 month. In the absence of this certificate, the departure will be refused." Yes!
It's a big event with proper start ramp, following cars with your name on ... and spectators. Everything that time trialling in the UK isn't.

Weekend rides

We are regularly getting double figure numbers of riders in both the Saturday and Sunday rides. Saturday rides are deliberately easy pace with Sundays more competitive. Come and join us. Details www.southdownvelo.org.uk.

Shaun Smart at Dunsfold Park

Mark Warrington

Toby in the winning break with some old boy who is regretting being there

All photographs ©Surrey Cycle Racing League 1998/2008

Racing round up

Shaun Smart continued his good run of placings at Portsmouth track on Wednesday with second place in the 3/4 race. Shaun is well placed overall.
Alex Stirling finished 10th in the under 16/14 race at Portsmouth.
Mark Trevis rode the elite South Circuit race at portsmouth placing 6th and he was kind enough to provide a report ... "Richard Parker took to the track for the 4th Cat race which from what I could see ended in a bunch sprint with Richard 'somewhere in there'. It was won by a DHC guy and his celebrations caused someone next to me who was watching to comment on the embarrasment and say they will consider changing sports!
I had a bash at the E12 race which was extremely hard to keep track of. A split of 9 got away very early, which I am ashamed to say caught me off guard. So I sat in the bunch fuming that I missed the move. Any attempt to bridge was followed by wheel suckers who would not help me. So I waited. Four came back from the break as the pace was pretty hot. Then the five escapees lapped us and sat in with us. About half way through, one of the leaders wanted to move to the front so shouted "inside" and proceeded to ride straight into the back of Jamie Streather who was on the front! Cue the clatter of carbon on the ground and the fanning effect as people got caught behind the crash. As it turned out, only three were injured; two out of the race and one carried on. Immediately after, another of the leaders who was on the attack again gets a flat and takes a few laps out. Not knowing how many people had a lap anymore I decided I could do no more than sprint hard and hope it got me somewhere. I took 4th wheel with 3 laps to go, waited for final straight and went for it taking 2nd in sprint to come 6th. Simon Brooks won. Good day in the sun!" The crasher was Ben Macland of VC Meudon. Fortunately they didn't take him to the MRSA capital of the south QA (yes, that's our alternative when St Richard's A&E closes) so he lived to tell the tale.

Highclere sportive

We were well represented at the Highclere sportive. Shaun Smart (no this isn't his fanzine!) was fastest in his age group and 7th fastest overall. OK, I know it isn't officially a race. Amanda Cayford put up an impressive ride. Mark Holland reports ... "We were aiming for the 7:50:00 female gold and were just off it by about four minutes. I miscalculated and had thought we'd set off at about 8:35 when it must have been about 8:30. So I'm willing her on in the last 25 miles about how "it's still on" and we're passing people all over the shop, right up until the line. But alas it wasn't to be. Awesome butt kickage on her part though and I'm grateful for having had a purpose in the last section other than simply to plod to the finish." Fay Cripps, Richard Parker and Mark Dinwiddy also rode. Mark has linked to some pictures taken at the sportive here.
Toby Neave won his first event of the year in the Bognor 10m TT with 22:33. We apparently had nine starters, but I didn't recognise some of them. Amanda Cayford made her competitive debut and recorded a very creditable 26:27. Former Southdown man, Keith Jarrett of VC Meudon rode. The Bignor Rogis CC seem to be trying out as many spellings of Meudon as possible in their result lists.

Events to enter

The Guildford town centre races are on Wednesday, 9 July with races for 3rds/Juniors, youths and elite/1/2. These are probably the most exciting event of the year as it attracts big crowds. The cobbled rise up the high street always presents a challlenge. All the big names of UK racing will be there. For more details go to www.charlottevillecc.org.uk. Modesty prevents me from saying who won the first event in 1984.

Racing round up

Congratulations to Mark Trevis who made it into the winning break at Dunsfold Park on Tuesday to finish 7th. Mark has made tremendous strides recently in converting his obvious fitness into results. Mark was backed up by Shaun Smart who finished 4th in the bunch sprint, some two minutes later, to finish 13th overall. Shaun is consistently scoring points at Dunsfold Park and was 11th overall as at 1st June. Scores on the doors here.
Joseph Marchant was in action at Angmering on Monday and achieved his fastest time trial time for the last two years. Well done Joseph. There is no truth in the story that he will be coaching his dad, Mike, in the future.

Mark in the break at Dunsfold

Tasty tights Mark!

Photograph ©Surrey Cycle Racing League 1998/2008