Colin Bailey wins Braintree Road Race - Sun 25th March 12

Braintree Road Race - Sunday 25th March 2012 

Today I won the Braintree Velo RR. In a cold 3 degree start it was like winter again! Straight out of the neutralised section a group of 5 got away and looked to start working well together. They very quickly got 15-20 seconds and as it looked dangerous a Cambridge CC rider and myself bridged the gap. We were away for a few miles but the bunch decided 7 was definitely a move that could survive so they pulled us back. 

Just as we got caught another Cambridge CC rider countered the move on his own. He was away for around 25 miles on his own but never getting more than 20-30 secs and everyone comfortable that the gap could be closed if it needed to be. A couple of riders bridged the gap to him with about 15 to go but again looking more dangerous the bunch pulled everything back together with about 12-13 miles remaining. 

Any move from this point was well marked and no-one willing to let anyone get at least a bike length. 

With about 1.5km to go two riders tried to get clear with one of them feeling the speed not too long after but 1 getting a good couple of hundred meters. This was dangerous and no-one keen to put in too much to pull him back. I'd already decided I was going to go quite early in the sprint towards the line as there was a left 90 degree turn with an uphill finish to the line but flattening towards the top. In 6-7th position coming out of the turn with about 700m to go I went and caught the breakaway rider with 200 meters to go and managed to hold on winning by about 4 bike lengths. 

Report from BC http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120325-road-Road--Bailey-victorious-in-Braintree-Velo-RR-0