It was a pleasant evening with the night looking fast. James Sale and Damien at one end getting ready and the ‘fast’ lads at the other. As Damien stepped out of his car, it was although we had just time traveled... He was sporting what can only be described as an old tatty 1970’s skinsuit. Post event we found out that the competition weren’t worried about him, as nobody wearing that “old green skinsuit would be fast”. Little did they know that the biscuit muncher was to set the second fastest time of the evening, and take the Eagle ‘10’ record with a pretty special time of 20.27. Pretty sure the time keeper was as shocked as everyone else, as when sorting out the starting order he was asked what he was expecting to do, with a reply of “hopefully a 21”, I am pretty sure the time keeper laughed when that was said… Nobody is laughing now!
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Big Day at LVRC National Championships
Courtesy of www.sportinpictures.co.uk
Eagles Put One on the Podium and One in the Money
Report by Chris Baldwin
C Cat Race (50-54 years old)
31 May 2009 Hog Hill, Redbridge The race was an hour plus 3 with all 70+ riders from clubs around the country. I'd been told to watch out for any attacks as these races tend to split fairly early. How early I was about to find out. Last year's winner John French (Peterborough CC) went at about 12 minutes in after shooting around in front on the opening lap. I chased, and when I rode up next to him said something about it being a bit early. However, when I looked around it seemed we'd opened a 5 - 10 second gap and then said ok, let's do it. I'd read up a bit on John beforehand and we are a close match for each other based on our time trialling times. Off we went, and by working together, built about 5 seconds into the gap with each lap. By the end it was nearly 2 minutes. My tactics for a win didn't play out as I tried to attack my partner in the break with three to go, and it came down to a one on one sprint up the hill with predictable results. Despite a new found enthusiasm for blasting the hill on the big ring, it wasn't to be and John emerged victorious for the second year in a row. So no champion jersey for the Eagles, but a nice silver medal and a satisfying ride all round.
A Cat Race (40-44 yearld old)
The A race was hot, fast and full of moves from the start. Dave and Damien were in for the Eagles, with Dave currently sitting in a top 3 place in the LVRC summer evening series at Hog Hill. A very bold move came right from the gun, with James from Ciclos Uno blasting the first lap and opening up 15 seconds. Two riders independently decided to chase, and for next five or so laps there were what looked like three riders, not riding together, on a suicide mission off the front. What were they up to? The bunch, no doubt believing this couldn't last, let them have their fun. Unfortunately, when all three came together it became a force to be reckoned with and with some smooth team-like riding they managed to build an insurmountable lead on the now fast moving bunch. So fast that Damien risked an attack and left himself with no fuel in the tank and retired. Dave was biding his time until he saw an opportunity, dug deep, and went off the front. He knew there were some big sprinters in the group, and while he has a good turn of the legs and a nose for the line, better to be safe than sorry. A very strong and bold ride played out for Dave as he came in on his own in 4th place, first of the bunch and in the money (cash to 6th place). Dave's ear to ear grin said it all - best race of the year so far and a big boost for the summer series crown he's chasing.
