East London Velo Thurs Evening 8 LVRC 2nd July 2009

The hottest day of the year greated the riders to the evening LVRC series run at Hog Hill.  With temperatures over the thirty degree mark it felt hot enough to fry an egg on the top tube. With Richard Somerset in contention for a series podium finish there was plenty to race for. The full circuit was used, run clockwise that requires a longer, more grinding climb up the dreaded Hoggenberg.

Dave Kiely arrived a little late on the start line to join John McDowall, Richard and Jeff Robinson. Unfortunatly in the general rush to get ready Dave missed the start, and rather than take a lap out chased hard to catch the bunch but was unable to get on. This is Dave's first year of racing, and it has been a steep learning curve, although his team mates suggestion that he starts the race the same time as every one else will undoubtably prove useful to him in future.

With less riders the A/B and C/D cats were merged into one group. Richard was ever present and watchful at the front of the bunch, although a couple of early teasing breaks were reeled in with little effort. The decisive break occured at the foot of the Hoggenberg climb as the major players stepped on the gas. John shouted a warning to Jeff that this was the decisive move. However Jeff hesitated, no doubt working on what has been a hundred per cent record by John of not picking the right break. Sadly for Jeff, John got this one right and a dozen or so riders, including John and Richard formed into what would be at the finish the remains of the bunch.

Richard rode strongly all night, at or near the front while John did what he could to help his team mate despite struggling on the main climb. On the final lap John launched an attack hoping to provide some help for Richard, but he was quickly closed down and the race ended with a full on sprint up the Hoggenberg. Richard more than held his own coming fourth overall and second A cat rider to continue a fine run of form in this series.