Essex Roads 70km Autumn Road Race
Thu 04 Sep 2008
David Vaughan and Jonathan Appleby place 3rd and 4th respectively at Essex Roads 70km Autumn RR.
East Hanningfield - Sunday 31st August
It was a fine, calm and warm Sunday morning as Jonathan Appleby, Tristan Emptage, Lawrence Piddock and David Vaughan signed on for the 70km Essex Road and Gateway Cycling Club Autumn Road Race.
After a few brief runs on the front from Tristan and Jonathan, Lawrence put his time trialing strength on show, opening a good gap of about one minute with Andrew Nichols and Ryan Maclachlan. Jonathan dropped back into the bunch to save his strength while David and Tristan rode sentry breaking down any attacks made toward the leading group.
Things were looking pretty good for Lawrence’s group as they established a minute lead at about one hour fifteen mins into the race. Unfortunately a car crash, not involved with the race, bought things to a temporary halt. The Commissaire, Brian Potts, put the race on an altered and shortened route which meant taking in the finishing climb an extra two times. Although Lawrence’s leading group was let go with a reasonable time advantage the increased climbing load was against him and after about twenty mins he was dropped by the remaining two leaders.
As soon as Lawrence was caught by the group NRCC made a strong showing at the front of the chasing group with Jonathan and David breaking clear on the climb. Brian McShane went clear with them and together the three riders set about closing the 40 second gap to the two leaders. Another turn up the hill saw Brian McShane show his cards as he opened a gap between Jonathan and David, however, by working well together NRCC were able to close on the leaders and with some five Km left to race the five riders were all back together.
The lead group had to be careful to maintain a good speed as the chasers were not far behind so as things began to get “tactical” Jonathan attacked giving a little shelter before the final effort. As they hit the first of the finishing climbs Andrew Nichols from Chelmer CC broke clear, pretty impressive riding for the eighteen year old given that he had survived out front since the original break away with Lawrence. Despite a strong challenge from Brian McShane Andrew held his lead for 1st place with David finishing 3rd, Jonathan 4th and Ryan 5th.
Tristan and Lawrence finished in the bunch which was led home by Jonathan Tomlinson from Team Economic Energy. All in all it was a great team performance by the four NRCC riders all of whom rode bravely and tactically well for the entire race. Many thanks to the organiser, Raymond Smith and Race Director Helen Spraggins for a well run and safe event. Also thanks to the marshals and volunteers of the Essex Road and Gateway Cycling Club.