LVRC Hog Hill - Sun 28th Sep 08
Mon 29 Sep 2008
LVRC Ciclos Uno Summer Series, Redbridge Cycle Centre, Hog Hill - Sunday 28th September 2008
The final LVRC event for the 2008 season took place at the new Hog Hill facility on a bright and sunny day. With the infamous hill not being used, the racing was restricted to the tight and twisting confines of the lower circuit. A large presence of North Road riders again ensured an active part in the race, in what has been a successful series of events for club members.
The early racing was fairly cagey as many of the riders were coming to terms with the ins-and-outs of what is a flatter, but twister circuit, than the banked oval previously used at Dunton.
Steve James was the first North Roader to show his hand with a spirited early break. Sadly, after two laps away he was reeled in, and suffering from oxygen credit crunch was forced to retire. With Richard Somerset, Del Evans and Chris Glithero riding confidently towards the front of the bunch, it was Dunton veterans John McDowall and Nick Harris, who were struggling at the back of the bunch for the first half of the race while gaining some confidence in negotiating the tight circuit.
At half way the race seemed to shift up a gear as some threatening breaks developed. Both Richard and John made successful moves into groups although nothing came of them. Chris more than held his own for forty minutes, seemingly revelling in the flatter conditions, before eventually running out of steam and dropping out. Del despite a confident looking ride also suffered on one of the faster laps and dropped out of contention. With a lone rider away on a fairly non-threatening lone break, Nick attempted a long break away and opened a hundred yard gap before being slowly winched back in by the chasing bunch.
With four laps to go, John still suffering with severe Cancellera delusion syndrome, attempted a long attack that opened up a substantial gap. Two riders worked across to John before the efforts proved too much and they where caught with about a lap to go. The final mass sprint to the finish saw a well placed Richard securing fifth place to complete a highly consistent season for him. Both Nick and John finished just off the back of the main bunch having sat up in the final sprint.
Photo from left to right: Steve James, John McDowall, Chris Glithero, Nick Harris, Derek Evans, Richard Somerset
