Fenland Clarion Road Race - 18 Aug 2013
Wed 21 Aug 2013
Fenland Clarion Road Race: 3 riders in top 15
Paul McGrath 5th, Colin Bailey 9th, Shaun Rouse 13th.
Colin, Shaun, Frank and I rode the Fenland Calrion RR in the Cambridgeshire country side. The race was 67 miles over 6 ½ laps of a testing little circuit. The circuit was on very narrow roads with 2 testing little rises, the rest was through open countryside leaving you at the mercy of the gusting winds whipped up across the fen’s.
After our exploits in Wales and further training rides together, Colin has adopted the role of Road Captain and had formalised a race plan for today. After a quick recon of the course using Google maps and Starva and also receiving the start list to see Cambridge CC would have 8 starters. He decided that we would take the race on and light it up right from the start.
The plan was to ride on the front from the start and at pace, hopefully causing some early panic in the cross winds and narrow roads. Then on the first rise launch and attack to formalise an early break. It worked like a dream; neither Colin nor I expected it to happen as quickly or as easily as it did. We had echeloned out in the narrow and windy road. The road being only wide enough for 2 riders maybe 3 if the 3rd wanted to ride in the gravel/gutter. We wanted a break to form, ideally with Cambridge in it to neutralise their numbers in the pack, we also knew that the break would have to be big enough to survive being out in the wind for the majority of the race. So we expected it might take some time and several attempts to form, we knew though that NRCC would be in the break of the day.
I took to the front with Colin on the wheel, getting shelter from the wind before the first rise. We were being closely monitored by Cambridge CC who appeared to very attentive to any early action. Roughly half way up I continued to hold my line in the centre of the road, this pretty much blocked anyone bar Colin getting passed as the road had gravel running down either side then a grass verge. Colin pulled on through and I slightly eased up on the tempo, He was away. Cambridge CC had been attentive from the start and appeared to have planned to race aggressively too.
Once Colin had initiated the early gap, 2 Cambridge riders saw the danger and set off in chase. They rode up past Colin and took him up over the crest of the climb. They worked instantly together forming an increasingly sized gap. 3 riders would not be sufficient to stay out in front so I gradually moved to the side to see if there was anybody else who fancied a wind beaten day out in front. By this time we had all crested the climb and where making are way through more open countryside. The wind was in great effect and there were many smaller riders happy to sit in the shelter of my XXL frame. I eased back slightly again and further handful of riders eventually came through. I picked up the pace to neutralise any further attacks.
The break had formed and pulled out a 30 sec gap within a matter of corners. Our early work was done. It was going to be tough for Colin out there all day but it was his idea in the first place. The break was actually larger than I anticipated and consisted of 10 riders but in the windy conditions it would mean the pack would have to put is some effort to catch them.
Cambridge had 2 riders up the road and 6 left in the pack. So they were not going chase. They stuck 4 men up front and they set the tempo, I rolled back and slotted back inline approx. 6th in line with Shaun just behind me. There was a lot of moaning going on in the pack with riders shouting the race is over all ready after 5 miles, even with all the shouting those riders didn’t take to the front and offer any help for a chase. For the next couple of laps Cambridge rode tempo on the front allowing the breakaway to stretch their lead to 1 min. Finchley Rt and East London Velo had 4 riders each in the race and no-one up the road. At this point Finchley RT took over control of things and tried to initiate a chase. They had 3 guys working very hard but the wind was not working in their favour and just appeared to get stronger as the raced progressed. Cambridge used their numbers to keep them in check with Shaun and I sitting in getting a free ride.
With just over 2 laps to go the Finchley lads where obviously tiring from all there hard effort and where getting no help from any one. At this point in the race we were approaching the base of the 2nd climb of the circuit, the run in was undulating through a field with a gusting cross wind, then a 90’ corner up a very narrow winding road, the climb was roughly 1min 16 secs (thanks Strava and a KOM for me). It was perfect opportunity if you had the legs and the right support to try and get away. East London Velo had that very idea and set off. Shaun covered the move brilliantly and they worked together to form a gap. Finchley had nothing left to respond and Cambridge appeared reluctant to move up, So I dropped it down a gear and kicked off in chase of a handful of other riders that had taken up the effort. We had little select group of 8 that rode hard, not necessarily the smoothest as there was 2 riders just too eager kicking through on their turns. The break had formed just over a 1min lead and within the space of lap we had managed to close the gap and make contact with the lead group just before we rode through to take the bell for the last lap.
At this point Colin had been riding ‘through and off ‘out front for well over 2hrs and was pleased to see Shaun and I bridge the gap. The members off the break were tiring but also meant Colin did not have to respond on his own to any late attacks.
The pace on the last lap eased considerably with few little flurries form the lead group. Cambridge were still very eager and now had 3 members in the lead group, the host team also had 2 riders present and were neutralising all the late attacks.
Shaun though had managed to get himself on the front as was doing far too much work, he wanted to get the pace back up as he thought we had eased off to much and risked being caught. I rode up beside Shaun and told him to drop back on Colin’s wheel and get a breather (he had just counted a very dangerous move from a Strada rider) and let Cambridge and Fenland do the work. They had done too much all day to let it go to pot with a couple of miles left go. The finish was pan flat and ideal for a sprint but it came roughly half a mile from the last climb in the circuit.
I had anticipated those that were not sprinters would launch their attacks at this point, as they had all day. The climb was not that testing but dragged up for over a 1m16’s (haha Strava KOM) peaking around 5-6% but the road was very narrow so positioning would be crucial if attacks were to happen. As they are far better climbers, I told Colin, with Shaun in tow to follow my wheel I’ll keep pace and keep them up the front and they could respond to any late attacks up the final climb.
I was sitting 3rd wheel with lads in tow when the climb kicked up and on cue a couple of riders went on the offensive, Colin made an attempt to follow but his earlier efforts had caught up with him and he only managed to roll through. I shouted at Shaun to get on that wheel and like a rocket he was up out the saddle on his way in pursuit of the leaders.
I did not expect to see the lads again to after the finish line as it was only round the corner. I put my head down and kept the cadence high and continued up the climb. Once I reached the top I was amazed to see the lead group just in front of me. I latched onto a wheel and just kept the legs turning. The sprint opened up and the select group of 18 split across the road. Shaun was in prime position but on the left hand side of the road where there were only the 2 riders from Strada, who unfortunately appeared to just blow up immediately leaving Shaun exposed. He would finish 13th and in the points a bit better luck in the final few meters and I’m sure that would have been much higher. Very impressive though for a 4th Cat racing with seasoned 2nd Cat’s.
Colin and I though had found ourselves on the right hand side of the road with the greater numbers, we both tried to get out the saddle and give it some but our legs where not having any of it. We kept the legs going frantically sucking the wheels of those in front. Those that had gone early fell by the way side and we found ourselves crossing the line in a blanket finish. I lucked out and came 5th and Colin who was no more than a wheel down and was in 9th. Frank finished safely in the main pack.
Good day over all for NRCC