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.