After a last minute decision (12:10pm with start at 2pm) I decided to race today. There was a small turn out - around 60 riders at Lloyd Hall. It had been raining all day only stopping two hours before the start. The race was organised by Redhill CC. We had some good safety out on the road - cars, motorbikes and marshals so thanks to the organisers.Alex (Peterson) and I represented AW Cycles. There was a strong showing from London Dynamo and Norwood Paragon.
The race started off in a rather strange way with a crash on the first corner. Cameron, from London Dynamo, went straight into the centre medium bollard on the A25 crashing. He managed to graze his elbow, but his bike (Trek 5.9 Madone) was not so lucky. The frame fractured beneath the steerer tube (see photo above and below) so it's a definite frame replacement needed. Bad luck Cameron although good that you came to no real harm.
There's not a lot to report on the race other than some silly and negative riding. I was heavily marked as was Richard Prebble and Mike Hawkins (later breaking his front wheel on the home straight). I noticed that every time I attacked I got chased down, but annoyingly no one was prepared to come around me and work - to make a race of it. What a shame and not a great way to race. (Surely that's not how 1/2/3 races go?).
After 5.75 laps and only 12 riders left in the race we turned off the circuit and headed for the finish. Rich Hoult (London Dynamo) pulled hard at the front ensuring no surprise attacks. Past the 1km to go flag and the sprint moved into a frantic pace. With 100m left Paul Delahunty (London Dynamo) sprinted past me to take the win with me coming in second.
Side note: Mike (Hawkins) had an unfortunate mechanical with his front wheel finding a deep road crack and destroying it properly. [Mike, could you send me some photos of your front wheel please? robenslin at gmail dot com]
Race results:
1. Paul Delahunty (London Dynamo)
2. Rob Enslin (AW Cycles)
3. Daniel Duguid (Sigma Sport RT)
4. Jaco Ehlers (Wildside RT)
5. Chris Smith (Python Racing Team)
6. Ben Wilson (Private Member)
7. Richard Prebble (GS Strada)
8. Mike Wragg (Milton Keynes)
9. Richard Hoult (London Dynamo)
10. Tom Hemmant (London Dynamo)
3 comments:
Rob, I think you mean London Dynamo, not Dulwich Paragon. Cam was London Dynamo, Rich Hoult (tempo on the last lap) was London Dynamo and the winner, Paul Delahunty, was London Dynamo. There was also another Dynamo rider in an early break and the main break.
@quickerbybike, you're quite right - thanks for drawing that to my attention. I've amended it accordingly.
Well done to your team for a great showing (if London Dynamo is your team?)
Another photo of the fractured Trek added.
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