Finchley RT Crits - Hillingdon - Sat 3rd March

 Finchley RT Crits - Hillingdon - Sat 3rd March

From George Olive:-

I entered on the line for my first race of the season along with fellow North Road team mates Ian Coles, Mike Bridge and Tony May. As predicted the previous day, the weather was fine and a large number of riders started (about 75) for the 1 hour plus 3 lap race. We were briefly showered upon midway through the race but this soon passed and the circuit dried out. The race seemed quick but steady so breakaway attempts were quickly reabsorbed into the bunch.

Unfortunately Mike and Tony were caught up in a crash in the closing laps and could not contest the places. I was licking my lips on what was to be a bunch sprint finish.

As the lap board showed 3 to go I immediately found myself swarmed and very near the rear of the bunch. Without panicking and wasting energy I waited patiently; riding on the inside of the circuit I waited for an opportunity.

With 1 1/2 laps remaining the bunch slowed and moved to the right. I darted up the inside and barged my way into 3rd position.

I defended a top 5 position until the sprint were I was overtaken by a flying Roger Woodford. I jumped onto his wheel and had just enough left to lunge to the line first and win my first crit for five years. It was a pleasing start to the season.

1 George Olive North Road CC 10
2 Roger Woodford AW Cycles.Co.uk 8
3 Ben White Finchley Racing Team 7
4 Dexter Gardias Torq-Colnago 6
5 Llewellyn Kinch Private 5
6 Geoff Williams Python Racing Team 4
7 David Gayler Kenton RC 3
8 David Mills Hemel Hempstead CC 2
9 Iain Cook VC Londres 1
10 Russ Turner London Dynamo/Cyclefit 1