Jonathan Appleby 3rd at Hogs Hill

Hogs Hill Winter Series. Race 11 - Sat 21st February 2009

The weather was kind for once as the group assembled for the start of the final race of the winter series.  Once again Jamie Anderson and Jonathan Appleby were representing NRCC in a field of about 35 riders.  As has become the custom, the initial pace was very fast, but with a little wind on the face of the leaders it soon became apparent that nobody wanted to stay out there for long.  Unlike the previous week, and largely thanks to the staff for brushing loose mud and debris from the track, the full course was available giving some respite on the downhill sections.  It was also clear that the main contenders from previous weeks all wanted the win and nobody was going to do big pulls on the front.  It was perhaps because of this that Jamie found himself somewhat isolated in the wind and pulling back a solo rider who looked to be getting away.  An effort that he later paid for as several weeks of racing took their toll. 

The pace in the last half of the race was slower than in previous weeks so there was plenty of spirit left in the group when the 5 laps to go board came up.  Nobody, however, was prepared to take the bull by the horns although unlucky number 13, Dan Falconar, did a lot more than his fair share. Thus is was that a fat cagey bunch spread itself wide across the hill on the final approach to the finishing line.  Jonathan was perfectly positioned, slightly out of the wind as the sprint opened but was unable to match the speed of either Sebastian Pancratz (1st Oxford University) or Ashley Cox (2nd Ashwell). 

Many thanks to the organisers and helpers of  East London Velo, for giving up so many weekends.