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.