Another hairy stage which saw Matt Pilkington, a friend of mine and regular Condor customer rip his shoulder - after a low speed fall in the Neutralized Zone in Newport. The race was stopped for 10 minutes in Newport whilst everyone re-assembled.
Once again, Alex and I had ensured we were on the bumper of the Lead Car for this one, to keep an eye on our GC contenders. Alan (Rosner) had written on masking tape on our top tubes the numbers of all the riders who were in contention so we could mark them.
3 miles down the road and we were up to speed, with those contending the Green (Sprinter's) Jersey leading off the front.
40 miles later and I had delivered Alex safely to the base of the climb with the leaders (4 mile to the finish on a 50 mile stage).
5 had gone away and had gained 1:30, but we caught them within 2 km of the base of the climb - they had blown.
Alex, Mike Smith and another junior from Southwest (Townshend) rode away from me and the yellow jersey group that I was in. 5km up, I fell back, but as I gained rhythm I started to pass people. By the false flat 3/4 of the way up, I'd passed all of the Team Corley domestiques of Mike Smith their leader. I knew that if I gained 20secs on them, I'd be back in the top 10.
With the finish in sight, I dropped a gear and finished strongly.
Eastern Region dropped to 14th team overall after 2 of a 4 man team dropped out.
Mike Smith of Team Corley Cycles wins Yellow for the second year running, and secures the KOM Jersey.
Alex Peters 5th in GC.
Rhys Howells 10th in the GC.
Great event.
We need a team around us if we're to realistically work for the Yellow in future.
Now for a glass of Red.
40 miles later and I had delivered Alex safely to the base of the climb with the leaders (4 mile to the finish on a 50 mile stage).
5 had gone away and had gained 1:30, but we caught them within 2 km of the base of the climb - they had blown.
Alex, Mike Smith and another junior from Southwest (Townshend) rode away from me and the yellow jersey group that I was in. 5km up, I fell back, but as I gained rhythm I started to pass people. By the false flat 3/4 of the way up, I'd passed all of the Team Corley domestiques of Mike Smith their leader. I knew that if I gained 20secs on them, I'd be back in the top 10.
With the finish in sight, I dropped a gear and finished strongly.
Eastern Region dropped to 14th team overall after 2 of a 4 man team dropped out.
Mike Smith of Team Corley Cycles wins Yellow for the second year running, and secures the KOM Jersey.
Alex Peters 5th in GC.
Rhys Howells 10th in the GC.
Great event.
We need a team around us if we're to realistically work for the Yellow in future.
Now for a glass of Red.
