2010-07-12 -
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Back to the Front - The Incredible Comeback of Matt Brammeier.
The last thing on the mind of Matt Brammeier as the year rolled over from 2007 to 2008 was pulling on the jersey of National Champion. With both legs in plaster the 22 year old from Merseyside was coming to terms with the implications of the winter training accident that had left him off the bike, back at his parents home in Newton-le-Willows and lucky to be alive.
It was 30 minutes before the ambulance arrived after the rear wheels of the tanker lorry that hit him had snapped both of his legs like twigs and turned Brammeier's world upside down, his hopes of a career on the road in Belgium crushed under 30,000 litres of fuel load.
A former British Champion at both Junior and Espoir level, Matt took the hard decision to move away from the British Cycling Academy structure just as the star of UK cycling was in the ascendency, and relocate alone to the continent, convinced that the tough world of Belgian racing would bring out his very best. Hard riding didn't bother him, neither did the long hours and bad weather that so often come with living and riding as a professional in Flanders. A graduate of the Liverpool Century club his two-wheeled upbringing was typically old school, a diet of hard rides in the company of hard riders.
Applying himself to his rehabilitation with the same toughness with which he rode he confounded the specialists who had pinned his legs back together by first standing, then walking and within a year taking a comeback win for the Profel Prorace squad in Belgium, a feat that caught the attention of Irish racing legend Sean Kelly who offered him a place in the An-Post Sean Kelly team for 2009. It proved to be a smart move and the Irish connection flourished and whilst Matt worked hard at the step up from Profel to the classic programme of road races that the An Post team enjoyed, he also applied to race under an Irish licence, thanks to his links to the country through his grandparents.
For Ireland Brammeier's years of experience in British Cycling's Academy structure were invaluable and riding his first UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester wearing the green of his adopted nation, he stormed to 4th place in the Scratch Race, a clear sign that the months of rehab, training and remedial work was beginning to pay dividends.
Anyone who witnessed Brammeier's ride to win the Irish National Road Championships last weekend could have been left in no doubt that the 1000's of hours spent re-balancing and strengthening his body have been worth it. Attacking from the start of the hilly Sligo course the An Post rider took the fight to favourites title Dan Martin (Garmin-Transitions) and defending champion Nicolas Roche (AG2R - La Mondiale) first shedding Martin and finally dispatching super talented Roche in the last 500 metres.
Whilst fellow Academy graduates and former training partners such as Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas have enjoyed the attentions of the specialist press over the last 2 years, the quiet but determined Brammeier has faced down demons many of his contemporaries can only guess at and would have destroyed lesser men. Now, still young at 25, Matt Brammeier can finally see the road he has always wanted to ride stretching out ahead of him. It's the road to winning.
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2010-06-09 - club 50 record
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Another club record goes this time its Tom Murphy riding a 50 mile in the Manchester Vets with a 1.50.12. Congratulations Tom from all at the Century.
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2010-06-09 - Club Jerseys change
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The debate on the new club jersey will start rolling along as from now, on page 4/5 of the June newsletter is the proposal for the new retro jersey. You all must have your say if you want the new or you want to stay with the current style. Remember you are the membership so your vote is needed for something as big as a jersey change, the membership is about 140 so I would expect at least 100 in favour either way.
The vote will be if all goes well at the July monthly meeting or maybe an email or postal vote if the general feeling is close. So watch this space as they say.
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2010-05-23 - Paul Grindley wins again
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Today Sunday 23rd May Paul rode the Rhyl hilly 37.5 mile time trial, and won with a time of 1.32.38.The course went over the Sportsmans to Cerrigg and back to Ruthin. Great ride Paul.
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2010-05-03 - Wednesday Night Rides
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As the light nights are coming which means the one hour evening rides will begin on the 5th May.
This is for new and older members riding to the slowest rider, new members are especially welcome. These rides will last till the dark nights are back.
Meet in club car park on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.Finish back at club at 8:00.Don't forget to bring some lights to get you home safe.
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2010-05-03 - Club 10 Mile Time Trials
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On the last Wednesday of the month the club 10 mile time trials these take place on the Hale course, organisers are Rob Pleavin and Ray Myers.
The first one took place at the end of April on the 28th. These are very well attended and it’s a good measure of your fitness, again new members are welcome.
Racing starts at 7.00pm, you will need to sign-on and get your number from the laybay on Higher Road, on the Hale Circuit.
Speak to Rob or Ray down at the clubrooms for more info.
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2010-03-15 - L.T.T.C.A.Qualifying 2010
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L.T.T.C.A. Qualifying Event's For 2010
c.c
THE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
4th APRIL
16th MAY
6th JUNE
13th JUNE
4th JULY
11th JULY
7th AUG
29th AUGUST
19th SEPTEMBER
25 25 25 25
25 25
MID SHROPSHIRE WHEELERS 25 EVENT CANCELLED CHESTER R C. LIVERPOOL CENTURY PHOENIX CC BIRKENHEAD N.E.C.C. SOUTHPORT C.C NORTH SHROPS WHLS WEST CHESHIRE
D25/8
D25/8 D25/3 D25/3 D25/6
D25/3 D25/8 D25/8
THE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
4th APRIL MID SHROPSHIRE WHEELERS 25 D25/8
16th MAY EVENT CANCELLED
6th JUNE CHESTER R C. 25 D25/8
13th JUNE LIVERPOOL CENTURY 25 D25/3
4th JULY PHOENIX CC 25 D25/3
11th JULY BIRKENHEAD N.E.C.C. 25 D25/6
7th AUG SOUTHPORT C.C 25 D25/3
29th AUG NORTH SHROPS WHLS 25 D25/8
19th SEPTEMBER WEST CHESHIRE 25 D25/8
2nd MAY WEST CHESHIRE 50 D50/3
9th MAY MID-SHROPS WHLS. 50 D50/3R
8th AUGUST EAST LIVERPOOL WHEELERS 50 D50/12
5th SEPTEMBER CHESTER R C. 50 D50/12
31st MAY ANFIELD B.C. 100 D100/2
18th JULY SHROPSHIRE &WC.TTCA 100 D100/1
22nd AUGUST WCTTCA/ LTTCA. 12 HOUR D12/1.
In 2001 the Association introduced a "Middle-Distance" Championship over
"10", "25" and "50" mile distances using selected "10", "25" and "50" mile
qualifying events.
The speed of a rider's best times at each distance is to be aggregated and
averaged. The best average speed to count, (this is the same system as is used
for the National BBAR).
In 2009 this competition continued in popularity with (24) riders qualifying.
"The Harry Middleton Trophy" was donated to the Association for the winner of
this new competition and the 2009 winner was Andy Wilkinson (Port Sunlight
Wheelers) with a record average speed of 28.392 mph.
For the 2010 season the following nominated qualifying 10-mile events have been selected to be added to the qualifying "25" and "50" mile events as above.
11th April
24th April
5th June
12th June
16th June (Wednesday)
26th June
W.C.T.T.CA 10 D10/19
Leigh Premier 10 D10/1
Liverpool Century RQ 1Q P1Q/1
Phoenix C.C. 1Q PI0/1
W.C.T.T.C.A. 10 P/1Q/19
Preseqt Eagje Roqd Pint? 10 PI 0/1
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2010-01-11 - Road Race Meeting 2010
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As the clubrooms where closed due to bad weather last week the race meeting was off.
Mike Fugaccia has rearranged it for Wednesday the 20th january 2010 starting at 7.30pm. This is for all members wishing to race this year.
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2009-12-04 - 2010 RacingSeason Meeting
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7.30pm on Wednesday 6th January 2010 to set up a series of monthly meetings throughout the season to enter events in road racing, time trials and sportives.
The purpose of which is to put club members in touch so experience(s) & travelling costs can be shared, also a brief ongoing calendar can be published with events and a list of names taking part. If you cannot make the meeting get in touch so we can get an idea of who is interested and keep you up to date.
If you’ve ever thought of giving racing a go, now is the time to get onboard!
Mike Fugaccia
mikefugaccia@hotmail.com
07739130406
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2009-12-04 - Beginners rides starting
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I'm going to lead a beginners ride on the First
Sunday of every month at 9:00am.Rides will last
about 1.5 hours and the pace will be comfortable for all.
Those interested should contact me on my e mail
address:
stephen_schofield@btinternet.com
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