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NWCCA Round 12
Horwich CC Humdinger ‘cross #2 – Leverhulme Park, 28 Nov 2010
Liverpool Century 'Cyclocross Champion' Ian Kendall had a strong race in very cold conditions. The course was an exciting challenge with a whole new set of skills to be learnt. The ground had frozen stiff and this left deep ruts in the grass from previous races, these eventually became like glass as the hundreds of wheels passing rubbed them smooth.
The race started well with Ian in a small group just in front of myself, and after a few laps myself and 2 others were within a few metres of Ian's group. Then for me disaster struck, on a tricky slow corner I managed to lose my back wheel and slip my chain at the same time. In cross this kind of time loss can open a large gap, and so it did for myself. I then settled into the next group of regular riders competing in my part of the race. From what I could see Ian was having a great race with Ray Pugh from the Mercury and appeared to be coming out on top. Graeme suffered a similar fate to myself and his chain woes easily lost him many places. The secret we found after the race is to keep the big in large gears to maximise the chain tension.
2 further incidents lost me about 5 places, another chain drop and a spectacular over the handlebars crash caused by trying too hard.
As I passed the finish line Ian had continued his excellent run of form to finish 39th one of his best results this season (if not the best). Beating Ray Pugh was another success and a measure of how much Ian has improved.
So apart from losing sight in one eye Ian had a cracking day.
Ian Kendall 38th
Mike Fugaccia 49th
Graeme Fugaccia 89th
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| NWCCA Round 9
Liverpool Mercury Stadt Moers
If there ever was going to be a roadman's course this year then this must be the best contender. A course that only had one point where jumping off was faster than staying on. It was still a gruelling course with plenty of climbs, but featured enough recovery to allow you to keep a measured effort up throughout the hour. Other than one fall right at the end I had a better race this week, Graeme also improved but his chain dropped twice costing him a few places.
Mike Fugaccia 40th
Graeme Fugaccia 77th
Next week, club promotion at Otterspool
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| Matt B in the ECHO
Liverpool cyclist Matt Brammeier signs for top professional team
Nov 12 2010
by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
THREE years after fearing he would never ride competitively again, Liverpool cyclist Matt Brammeier has been handed a professional contract with the world’s most successful team.
In November 2007 the rider from Childwall broke both his legs after being knocked off his bike by a cement mixing lorry while out training.
Brammeier was sidelined for six months but battled his way back to fitness and since then the Belgium-based 25-year-old has set about trying to make a name for himself in the sport.
He has raised his profile this year with a string of impressive performances and his reward is a one-year deal with HTC Columbia – the same team as British star and close friend Mark Cavendish.
“This is something I’ve been trying to achieve since I was a kid,” he said. “From when I started riding at the age of 13 I’ve dreamed of becoming a pro rider.
“I’ve had contracts with teams before and been paid to race but they’ve all been for amateur bike teams. 2011 will be my first year with a pro team and I can’t wait for it.
“It’s a huge honour that HTC Columbia have put their faith in my abilities.
“I’ve got a couple of training camps in California, then the Tour of Majorca in early February and after that it’s Tour of the Algarve. Those tours will be used as preparation for some big races in Belgium in March.
“I’d love to be selected for one of the grand tours – either the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France or Vuelta a Espana – that’s my target.
“I want to win a race in the next year, sign a longer contract and stay professional for as long as I can.”
Brammeier has come a long way since the road accident which almost wrecked his hopes of a pro career.
“I was training near Manchester when a cement mixer crashed into me at a roundabout,” he said.
“I broke the femur in my left leg and the fibia in my right. Once it sunk in how bad it was I did wonder whether I would ever be able to race again.
“But I just had to dismiss those negative thoughts and focus on getting back fit.
“It was a long road back with physio sometimes two or three times a day. I finally raced again at the end of May 2008.
“Three years down the line I still have to have physio as a result of those injuries. I still have a few niggles but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
The former Gateacre Comprehensive pupil started out in the sport when he joined Liverpool Century Road Club at the age of 13.
He flourished and went on to secure a place in the Great Britain Cycling Academy in Manchester.
He represented Wales at the 2006 Commonwealth Games before moving to Belgium where he has ridden for various teams over the past four years.
“My dad was into his cycling and he took me along to Liverpool Century,” he said.
“They looked after me and took me out training and to races. I owe them a lot and I stayed there until I was about 17 when I moved to train in Manchester.
“My brother still lives in Liverpool and I’m a big Reds fan but I don’t get back as much as I’d like with racing all the time.
“I’m in Belgium all year round and I live just east of Brussels. I love it here - it’s the centre of the world for cycling. The sport is as big here as football is back in Liverpool. There’s a lot more races and more money here than at home so it was the natural place to come.”
Last year Brammeier opted to switch his allegiances to Ireland and back in June he won the Irish National Road Race title in Sligo.
He also landed the most aggressive rider prize on the final stage of the Tour of Britain and last month featured prominently in the elite road race at the World Championships in Australia.
“Changing my nationality to the country of my grandparents was a big thing for me,” he said.
“It’s been great as after winning the national road race title I went back to Belgium and had two or three podium spots in big races.
“That put me in the spotlight and raised my profile. That led to the phone call I got from HTC Columbia.”
Brammeier benefited from a glowing reference from the sport's fastest sprinter Cavandish.
The Manx Missile, who won a remarkable five stages in this year’s Tour de France, used to train in Liverpool with Brammeier and they were team-mates at the GB Academy.
“When I was riding for Century Mark would come over to Liverpool a lot from the Isle of Man and we became big mates,” he added.
“Mark would stay at my place in the summer for a few months to avoid the expense of going back and forth all the time.
“We moved on to the academy together and have always kept in touch. With everything he has achieved, Mark is a real inspiration.
“When you see a big superstar you think it’s out of reach. But it helps to see one of your mates, who is just a normal guy, reach the top. I’ll be with Mark at the training camps coming up in America and being on the same team as him next year is going to be really special.”
Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sports/2010/11/12/liverpool-cyclist-matt-brammeier-signs-for-top-professional-team-100252-27645260/#ixzz15M9Zd9FU
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| NWCCA Round 8
Lady of the Manor Cross NW League round 8
Ian Kendall 41st
Mike Fugaccia 45th
Graeme Fugaccia 82nd
"Leg sapping" or "muddy hell hole" might sum up Saturday's race. The course was very fast in parts but you were soon brought to a halt as certain sections had deep sections of mud that for some were faster to run. Due to the tight start area Ian and I started further down the field than usual and had to expend considerable energy to just get up the field. With Ian's quick thinking we made up several places by dismounting and running sections where queues were forming, and as the field thinned out I passed Ian and moved further up the field, but as the race went on, Ian slowly gained on me and eventually passed on the 2nd last lap and I never saw him again, another assured ride from Ian. Graeme got his best placing yet, which would have been higher had it not been for a 'mechanical' he suffered on towards the end of the race. When we eventually finished the course and you got a minute to get your breath back there was a chance to see how much mud your bike was carrying, it felt like double the weight.
Ian has to miss next week, so I'll miss my duelling partner as Graeme and I tackle the 'joys' of cross.
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| NWCCA Round 6
A break in the weather made for a great days racing at the Weaver Valley's round of the NW League. With Graeme away on holiday A break in the weather made for a great days racing at the Weaver Valley's round of the NW League. With Graeme away on holiday it was down to Ian and me to represent the club at the race and continue our friendly duel.
The course was a hard one with lots of flat heavy grass sections followed by steep muddy descents and unrideable climbs which drained your energy, made worse every lap as the 100+ riders clambered up them relentlessly.
From the off Ian got a better start, but both of us managed a relatively high position on the first lap. With Ian in a group in front of me I thought I'd struggle to catch him, but as the race ebbed and flowed I managed to eventually catch the group and then pass Ian. Uncharacteristically Ian didn't get straight on my wheel and I slowly gapped him, the gap extended to the point where I could see him coming the other way after a hairpin, then it happened, the crash of the Century! Pun intended. Ian just managed to slip and catch the 2 riders in front of myself coming in the opposite direction. I remember seeing at least 1 rider go over his handlebars. But teamwork won out and I managed to gain 2 places thanks to the cycling equivalent of a high tackle in rugby.
From there I pretty much held my place till the end, apart from falling off and hurting my wrist, which at least took my mind off the pain in my back. Ian started a late charge but by then the field is so stretched that it is really hard to make up even 1 place. So I finished 46th with Ian making up lost places and finishing 54th. Speaking to Ian afterwards he just hadn't had the training this week and had a full family in tow, so I look forward to seeing him at St.Helens in 2 weeks time.
Ian's young son Sam finished 19th in the U12's race, but 2nd out of the U8's, so a superb effort and a great advert for the Century!
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| NWCCA Round 5
Boggart Hole Clough cyclocross /Manchester
Wheelers Cross/North West League Round 5
47th Mike Fugaccia
48th Ian Kendal
108th Graeme Fugaccia
127 riders finished the race out of a starting field of about 139, a record for the NW league. Nick Craig took the honours in a display of superiority that left the field shattered into pieces.
The race started with 2 laps of a large grass field to thin the bunch out and then turned onto what was an interesting mix of tarmac, mud and grassy sections. It was an exciting course with lots of technical sections, descents and a steep tarmac climb to make things interesting. Ian and myself (as usual) had a great duel with each of us taking turns in breaking away from the other, but an unfortunate mechanical mishap caused Ian’s rear quick release lever get knocked off meaning that meant he had to stop and tighten it, gifting me the ‘inter club win’ second week in a row. Maybe when we both improve we’ll be able to race together to wear out opponents, but that’s a little while off yet. Graeme had another week of improvements and although near the bottom end of the table he is making steady progress each week, previous competitors who he once raced against are now riders he passes on the first lap.
We are all looking forward to next week’s race at Weaver Valley.
Mike F
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| NWCCA Round 1
Saturday was the first event in the North West Cyclo Cross Association (NWCCA). It was organised by Red Rose Olympic in Avenham Park in Preston, being a Category A race the event was excellent. The course itself was large with everything you could want in it, not to mention the running commentary and a few top riders like Paul Oldham attending. The field consisted of 103 riders (finished) of all ages and ability tackling the challenging course. At times the grass, on what looks like a slight incline, was as if you were racing through sand, forcing less able riders to dismount (about 90% of the field). For me anyway it was 60 minutes in the RED as you are challenged in so many different ways be it all out efforts to pass riders, slogging it up a grass bank or leaping on and off the bike. All in all it always feels like fun after the race is over, but not always at the time of doing it.
Mike Fugaccia 50th
Ian Kendall 54th
Rob Pugh 55th
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| Oulton Round 3
Last night was the final chance for a Century rider to cover themselves in glory as the final event at Oulton Park was held. With all the same riders taking part as last week (minus Paul D) we had a good contingent of riders to try and get that win.
Unfortunately it wasn't to be.
Peter and Martin both finshed high up the bunch in the Over 50's race.
In the over 40's race Vince also finished high up with Andy Bennett coming 5th.
In the under 40's race the Century boys were looking eager to race and Sean attacked in the first lap, but was soon drawn in, and so from there the race followed a similar pattern of breaks that were caught until the 6th lap when a group of 5 broke clear, another rider jumped and Jonny went to follow. I quickly got on Jonny's wheel and launched myself across to the break (thanks Jonny). It was tough going as it consisted of some strong riders who drove the break on. After a lap away I was on my last legs and an attack from Ryan Mullen dropped 2 of us as I my lungs deserted me. I could have kicked myself as I knew this break was going to stay away, so as I rejoined the bunch I felt it gutted. But Sean and Phil had done a great job blocking and following breaks for me so I felt even more resentful of my effort or lack of it. All race Andy Brookfield had been showing a big improvement from the week before and held a great position high up the field, and getting to the front and doing a turn. Keep this up Andy and you'll be in fine form.
As the bell came and we approached the final drag before the finish we all held a good position, with Dean (Mr Clean) really digging in to hold us near the front, as we rounded the bend I kicked and hoped to hold the bunch sprint. To our surprise we almost caught the break, but it wasn't to be and it was a fight for 6th place. In the end I think I finished 9th or 10th?? With Phil behind me, the Sean, Dean, Andy, Jonny all close behind him. So no win for the club, but it has been a win for the LCRC road racing guys. We fostered a good team spirit, learnt a bit about racing together, finished off with good lead outs and saw the new racers improve week on week.
LVRC RULES
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| Oulton15th Litherland16th
Oulton Park
Another strong showing on Tuesday night, with Martin Moore, Peter Grace and Paul Washington entering the over 50 events and Me, Sean, Jonny, Dean, Phil and Andy doing the under 40's and Paul Davies, Vince Bennett and Andy Bennett in the over 40 event (are they all over 40? I can't believe it).
I hope I haven't missed a name here.
Martin tells that Pete and Paul put in strong performances, with Paul using his TT skills to great effect.
The under 40 race was competitive, with all but me and Andy being very active. Sean held a great position for the whole race and is learning to hold a high position well. Jonny, Phil and Dean raced strongly even with the wind and high pace from the off. I worked hard with Andy to ensure he stayed with the bunch and to his credit he dug deep and managed to stay in the bunch all the way and really did start to close gaps in the field, defend his position and move up the field keeping out of the wind. A late attack saw 9 riders slip away, but all of us competed in the sprint and finished like ducks in a row from about 3rd/4th in the bunch.
All we caught of the over 40's race was the sprint which was won by Steve Davies (Bioracer) with Paul Davies (no relation other than they have grey hair)came an excellent 4th after a lead out from Andy B (5th), Vince earned a hard fought 6th not too shabby for his second ever race!
Paul, Andy does have your £10 winnings, but when we last saw him he was heading to PWLB.
Litherland
Jonny Pugh once again won his race. However this time against harder competition and he even had to do a bit of a sprint to win. Come on Jonny give one of the other lads a go at winning ...maybe not. Jonny is getting stronger and stronger and looks like he could have a great season next year. We could be seeing a Pugh/Hughes dynasty in 2011.
I, Andy Brookfield and Graeme Fugaccia (twin brother, yes it's the truth) raced the senior event. First off well done Graeme for entering/ finishing his first race, sorry for almost knocking you off with what I thought was a friendly tap. Andy worked hard but was out the back after about 10 laps, a big improvement! I missed the decisive break for the 100th time and ended up chasing and attacking for most of the race. The silver lining was that although we didn't bridge the gap to the front 4 I managed to time my sprint right and got 5th in the bunch sprint.
So a good week so far for all of us, great to see so many taking part in racing.
LVRC RULES
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| John Boote RR
I managed to enter on the line for this on Sunday. It was a good field with lots of strong riders in attendance. It was 13 laps based around Weaverham with 13 testing climbs up Acton Lane, which saw most of the action as rider’s stretched and snapped the field once you crested the hill. I went with the plan of just trying to get into breaks and after a failed attempt to bridge to the first break of the day I settled in the bunch to recover. After several more break attempts the winning move got away and held at 30 secs for a 3-4 laps and this lead very gradually increased as the miles wore on. I jumped to a second break only to have a lapped rider cut me up as we passed them, so I lost the momentum as I had to pull off to the left to avoid a crash. After this I finally got into a break of 3 and we stayed away for 2-3 laps until I got dropped with 4 laps to go on the climb. The 2 other riders were going too hard and I thought that I wouldn't last so I waited for what was left of the bunch. It was a sensible choice as we passed at least one of the guys who had packed in. At this point the race was in lots of little groups are over the road, and it was a relief to hear the bell and realise that it was the last time up the climb proper. In the end I think 39 finished out of a possible 60, Dave Hitchen took the win, doing 4 laps on his own. Graeme Sumner came second with Dave McGowan 3rd after having to ride in his little ring for the last 3 laps as his mech had snapped. Well that was my first Regional A race (2/3/4 cat) and one of the longer races at 65 miles; it was a great experience and will definitely be on my calendar next year.
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