Gary Dodd (Sigma Sport) scored another win on Sunday's Divisional Champs in Kent. Gary is truely a legend! Gary rode a very quiet race all day - hiding himself in the bunch, but saved the best for last. The finish suited the master perfectly. Not too steep, but uphill - a powerman's finish.
There's no point riding like an animal over the first few laps and finishing in the bunch. People only really remember the winners.
I started the race in no great shape. My preparation wasn't the best - in fact non-exisitent. Nevertheless I started and planned to ride 'quietly' and hope that I had enough in the tank for the finish. So during the race I stayed near the front monitoring activities should something meaningful arise. Nothing really did except for a six-man break half way through the race. That was soon reeled in and the race was together again.
I decide to mark my personal pick for the win, Andrew Bye. Andrew had just returned from the Ras (Tour of Ireland). He had a great race there and even found himself in 4th place overall on GC at one point. Unforatunaltely, he suffered on the penultimate stage with severe winds and lost touch with the leader ultimately finishing 22nd overall on GC - still an awesome result.
Anyway, it seemed (to me) Andrew was getting a little frustrated with me 'sucking' his wheel. A claim later dismissed by Andrew. Seemed obvious to mark the best rider (by far) there. Andrew later finsihed 4th in the lbreak-away group.
With this break-away group (started by Andrew Bye up the start/finish hill) off the front I tried to bridge and tried to encourage the group to chase. Unfortunately, the group dithered and all I got was a lot of wheel-followers. By the closing couple of miles the break was gone and my chance to defend the title gone with it. I managed to coast to the finish bring up the rear of the main bunch.
British Cycling's covered of the South Eastern Divisional Champs.
0 comments:
Post a Comment