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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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| Oulton Park No.1
Last night saw 15 riders from the Century enter the first of the Oulton park events. The first race was delayed by 15 plus minutes much to the frustration of the riders. Martin Moore, John Arsliain, Paul Washington and Callum Gough. All riders finished in the bunch with the gallop being won by a Bio racer rider.
The 2nd race was split into two, with me, Sean Hughes, Phil Garton Pope, Dean Bennett, Andy Brookfield, Jonny Pugh, Anthony Thomas and Danny Stevens in the first race and Vince Bennett and Paul Davies in the 2nd.
All the riders made a great race of it, with Century riders always featuring in breaks, chasing or holding a good position in the bunch. As this was the first race of this type for quite a few of the guys we didn't form a plan, however everybody did a good job and we rode surprisingly well together. I got in a small break in the first lap with the eventual winner (Rob Crampton I think) but it did last for more than 1/2 a lap. Jonny was the next to make a jump to a break and lasted at least a lap or more until the bunch caught them. Due to the shortened race we only had a few laps to catch a break that would eventually win, but the bunch wasn't interested enough to work together so it was left to Century members to have a bit of practice doing some chasing. As the bell lap came it was just an opportunity for riders to practice their sprints as the top 4 places had gone, and I think I came 9th-10th, drawing on the line with John Rigby from St Helens. Phil came in just behind me and the rest just behind him. We only caught the end of the 2nd race, but both Paul and Vince looked comfortable and finished nicely in the bunch. This was Vince's fist race, so well done for making it around.
Danny Stevens unfortunately crashed, and I must say what a spectacular crash it was, one for YOU TUBE if it was on camera. He emerged walking and bandaged like an Egyptian mummy. It was also good to see Jay Barnes racing, always at the front and looking in good form.
So a really good evenings racing and a brilliant turn out. Hope to see more there next week
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| DE JA PUGH
Jonny Pugh had that winning feeling again on both Wednesday night at Litherland and Thursday at Preston. The win at Litherland was a foregone conclusion as Jonny would admit, but at Preston he has his work cut out for him. Finishing in a bunch sprint Jonny blasted his competition to bits as he proves not only can he ride like a 'Tester' but sprint with the best of them.
Litherland 2/3/4 race
Sean and I went to this event with the intention of working to get him his last remaining 4 points. The plan was simple enough, attack from the gun to split the field; I'd chase any breaks, and then at the end keep the pace high to stop anybody jumping. The first to parts went well enough with us causing enough damage to thin the field out, we then chased all the breaks. I went to the front with 9 to go and kept the pace high enough to discourage anybody jumping, this worked fine and on the straight before the bend the field came past as expected with Sean about 3rd into the bend, not perfect but a good start. Then it went all wrong and Sean ended up 8th (TBC) in the sprint. It was a good lesson and something we can practice in the coming weeks.
Preston 3/4 race
Dave Christian, Sean, I and Jonny all did this race, with Jonny being allowed to race until 5 to go and then pull out. For those how don't know this race is run with the E/1/2/3 race so the pace is incredibly high for an hour and provides 'fun' races. Last night's race was tough with a break going halfway through in the E/1/2/3 race leading to successive attacks to bridge the gap; this meant that there were a lot of tired legs by the last few laps. Sean and I both worked to chase any breaks from our race and at the same time avoid working to chase the E/1/2/3 break. So going into the last lap or race was together and we were both at the front. As the last 400m approached I was in the top 10, miraculously a gap appeared in front of me and I took the chance to get on about 5th wheel, so as the bend approached I floored it as I knew I was first in the 3/4 race. The thing is GRASS isn't the best surface to sprint on as I found out. I had overcooked my speed and overshot the corner by a few inches and had to ride on the grass for half the sprint. But I must have done enough not to miss a placement and got 2nd on the line. Sean rolled over in 8th so now has his 2nd Cat license. So all in all a good week for crits, but it's on the road where we need similar results!
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| NW RR Champs
NW Regional Road Race Championship
Sitting watching the weather for the next day’s race wasn't the most inspiring thing, with highs of 28 predicted in the NW. So the 7 o'clock start and almost 2 hours of driving gave us plenty of time to think about how much we were going to cook. The regional races were 90 miles for the E/1/2/3 and 60 miles for the Juniors and 3/4's, so this played out as 6 laps of 10 miles for me and Sean.
The course is challenging with a tough climb through the finish line and several others dotted around the course to test your legs. Dave Jackson (2nd Claim) was there representing the GB Fireteam as was Mike Gregg for Probikekit.
So there we were loaded up with water, gels, dextrose, you name it, we had it in our pockets. So with the race neutralized up to the start line we waited impatiently as each race went off, E/1/2/3's, Sean and Mike in the Juniors and then Jacko and Me in the 3/4's. So the first lap started with riders jockeying for position, but with no real breaks trying to get away, but the pace was high and with a field approaching 70 riders, it was quite easy to find yourself back in the bunch, so you had to be vigilant and make up places whenever a gap presented itself as there was surely to be a big group try and break away. It was during the 2nd lap that the winning break went of 3 riders (later to be 2), I guess none of us thought that they'd survive so no real concerted effort was made by the bunch, and confusion was beginning to take hold in the bunch, had we caught the breakaway? Was there anybody up the road? One group we were chasing was juniors including Sean who had been unhitched with others from the junior race. A quick chat revealed that the break had passed their race and had struck out in front with a sizable lead. The heat began to take its toll and with every passing lap riders dropped from the field and the desire to catch the escapees vanished. Several groups attempted to claim the remaining places by attacking; I crossed to one of these breaks only to be caught by the bunch. the 4th lap saw me at my lowest point as a combination of stifling heat, no wind and another tough climb saw me struggle to get back onto the field as it raced along the rear of the course, it's at these moments that you determine your strength to survive and make the cut.
Towards the final lap and the bunch spilt into 2 up the main climb, I bridged the gap to the front group sensing that this would be the final move to get into....and they eased up as me and 2 others joined them allowing the remaining riders to close the gap. There had been a small group of 6 or so riders how had dangled in front of us for the last 2 laps. Jacko was in this group so we made no conscious effort to help in the chase, but several others still wanted to fight for the remaining placements so it was within the last km we caught them and for the 2nd week in a row Jacko got caught just when it seemed like he was going to get a top 10 place. So as we hit the bend before the climb it was fair and square apart from the 2 in the break. Sean was near the front and I was about 20th. We hit the climb at full pelt and everybody was dancing out their saddles trying to eke out every last bit of strength and finish on a high. Luckily for Sean we had also caught the junior race and he surged through to claim 8th and after agonising effort that seemed to take forever I managed 12th, something I had told myself before the race was not possible. Sean had ridden a convincingly and hadn't stopped attacking from our bunch to try and make time back on his race, I think we will see a Hughes win on the course in the coming year as he is starting to get the measure of it!
Both of us felt like this race had been pivotal in our racing calendar, a good hilly course in the heat and ridden at pace is a good one to carry in the legs and heart when things get tough in other races. Jacko is kicking himself again. The main thing I learnt was to have more self-confidence and believe that I do have a right to challenge the podium, maybe if I'd been nearer the front I'd have a top ten place...I'll just keep telling myself that's what would have happened.
Sean Hughes Junior 60 miles 8th
Mike Fugaccia 3/4 60 miles 12th
Dave Jackson 3/4 60 miles bunch TBC
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| Steve Gutteridge Race
A fine but windy day greeted the competitors of this year’s Steve Guttteridge Memorial Road Race. Being a club event excellently organised by Martin Moore and well supported by club members who provided marshalling and organisational support.
The race itself was held in 3 groups, I was lead car in the A/B race so I can only comment on that.
It didn't take long for an attack to happen and it was driven by Andy Bennett and 2 other riders, they had gained 20 seconds in no time and by the time the course turned back south the gap had grown to 30+. At this point the bunch seemed unwilling to chase and by the end of the first lap a minute seemed to be a healthy enough cushion for the 3 escapees. The 2nd and 3rd laps followed and it looked likely that this effort might stick but in a blink of an eye the bunch was visible and chasing hard, driven by 7-8 riders intent on wining themselves. By the start of the 4th lap it was 'gruppo compacto' and an attack immediately was driven off the front. This attack lasted about 3/4's of lap and I was glad to see Duff Fawcett attack up around the sharp bend by Alford, but the bunch wouldn't let him slip away and it was back together again. The next major break featured Tim Dalton and Andy Bennett, this group contained at least 6 riders and looked a good bet, but once again the bunch chased them down and so this pattern repeated itself until the final lap where 2 riders made the decisive break, Steve Stowman and John Cosgrove. Those of you who know Steve will testify to his strength and I witnessed it for the first time, John hardly had to do a turn as Steve just seemed 100% focused on driving all the way to the finish. The bunch had had enough and it appeared that nobody had the legs to bring this final break back. As the finish line approached Steve pulled away to create a slight gap and took a well deserved win. Next the main bunch stormed in and Duff Fawcett grabbed a hard fought 4th place with the remaining riders grabbing high placements.
The race saw great return rides from Phil Baker and Terry Giblin, and regulars Peter Grace and Paul Davies looked comfortable and in great shape....for old duffers.
Results
Race 1 Categories A & B Distance 55 miles
Steve Stoneman FP Mailing A1
John Cosgrove Onimpex Bioracer RT B1
Dennis Lang Clayton Velo B2
Steve Davies Onimpex Bioracer RT B3
Duff Fawcett GB Fire Service B4
Martin Hopkinson Fietson Tempo B5
Jaime Hyde Macclesfield Whlrs A2
Roy Sumner Port Sunlight Whlrs A3
Brad Smith BNECC Bike Factory A4
Jon Eddols BNECC Bike Factory A5
Winner’s Time 2 hrs 17 mins 36 secs
Cat A Winner Steve Stoneman
Cat B Winner John Cosgrove
Race 2 Categories C & D Distance 48 miles
Phil Rose BNECC Bike Factory D1
Keith Jones Deeside Olympic C1
David Cuming Kuota Biemme D2
Ian Dutton Unattached C2
Graham Payne R Whitfield RT C3
Rob Whitfield R Whitfield RT C4
Malcolm Fraser Lusso Sportswear D3
Steve Jolley Bioracer RT D4
Mick O'Connor Macclesfield Whlrs D5
Neil Russell Lpl Mercury Dolan C5
Winner’s Time 1 hr 59 mins 22 secs
Cat C Winner Keith Jones
Cat D Winner Phil Rose
Race 3 Categories E,F & G Distance 41 miles
Les West GS Strada Afford Rentacar F1
Kev Shand West Pennine E1
Gordon Smith New Brighton/Abesco/Cruden
Alan Ramsey Road Peace
Mike Allen Belper BC
Trevor Horton Warrington Road Club
Peter Matthews Liverpool Mercury Dolan
Philip McCormick Kuota/Spinergy/GSM
Gordon Walters Bush Healthcare
Nev Ashman Manchester Velo CRC G1
Cat E Winner Kev Shand
Cat F Winner Les West
Cat G Winner Nev Ashman
Winner’s Time 1 hr 49 mins 43 secs
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| TWO FOR PUGH
Jonny Pugh rocked the crit world with 2 back to back victories this week. After a win on Wednesday night at Litherland, Jonny pulled out all the stops at Preston last night and defeated a good field with a puniching break in the last lap. Learning from his previous race at Preston he raced with his head and his heart. The race split into 2 after the first lap, and it was to stay this way for the remaining laps. As the final lap bell was still rining in our ears we saw Jonny come into view before the last bend with a good 20M gap on the field. The bunch chased and if it wasn't for Jonny grit to stay away they would have caught him. But it wasn't to be and he took a well deserved victory! 2 more points and Jonny can choose to ride with the seniors. That will be fun.
Sean and I did the senior event which was fast and furious. Anybody who has ridden at Preston knows the last 2 laps are hectic, dangerous but fun. A large field of E/1/2's made the pace fast with some big names driving the bunch along. In the final sprint I finished 4th or 5th and Sean maybe 9th or 10th???
All in all worth the drive North!
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| Race meeting cancelled
I’m going to cancel the race meeting this Wednesday night as I might not make the club 10 and meeting afterwards. If anybody needs advice can they please contact me on 07739130406 or 01517278356 or email me at mikefugaccia@hotmail.com.
I might have to rethink the race meetings during the summer as it will inevitably conflict with the Club 10 & Litherland. I don't want to stop members actually doing what we set up the meetings to encourage, which is to RACE!
If you have any suggestions please contact me.
Kind regards
Mike
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| Quick results 26/04/2010
Quick results, reports to follow
Halifax Imperial Wheelers RR
Tim 4th
Bowland Road Race
Ant bunch finish, so far results only place first 10.
CDNW Lazonby
Graeme 22nd
Mike 26th
Sean DNF
Brenig Road Race
Will find out.
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