East London Velo Thursday Evening 6 LVRC 18th June 2009

Round six of the LVRC Thursday evening series at Hog Hill saw six regulars and first timer Simon Checkley lining up for 45 minutes plus three laps around the lower course. As usual the C/D’s started first and were given about a half lap before the A/B’s were set off, followed by the E/F’s. Comprising over a third of their field Steve Blackwell, Simon, Dave Kiely, Richard Somerset, Derek Evans and John McDowall started in the A/B’s, Chris Glithero in the E/F’s.

 

Steve was active in the early laps, as were John, Simon and Dave. At one point the four North Roaders were lined up on the front in a scene reminiscent of Coe, Ovett and Cram leading the field in the 1984 Olympics 1500m final. A magnificent sight.

 

Richard skulking at the back moved to the front and followed a rider from the Eagle RC as he drifted off the front, they put their heads down and the break was established. The duo were joined by three others and they set about catching the C/D’s ahead.

 

With the pace increased Steve and Dave began to feel the effects of the Dragon Ride from Sunday in their legs, Steve pulled out at half distance and Dave was dropped from the group. Derek, although looking good as usual, was also dropped but carried on solo to finish.

 

John and Simon tried hard to drive the bunch along to catch the break, after 25 minutes the gap had come down to a hundred yards but then due to the strong wind the elastic snapped and the race was now between the break and the C/D’s.

 

Richard’s break of five had caught the C/D’s at the half hour mark allowing Richard to sit in for a few laps to recover from the pounding he had been given by the other riders.

 

Two laps to go the pace lessened and the finessing for the sprint began. Richard positioned in the middle of the group on the last comer couldn't quite stay with the fast boys and came fifth in the sprint and sixth overall, third in the A's (one of the C/D riders hadn’t been caught). John finished twelfth, Simon, Dave  and Derek were unplaced.