Severn Bridge Road Race (1 March)

The AW Cycles team: Tom (Smith), Rob (Enslin), Alex (Peterson) and Sam (Allen).

There was a strong line up for the Severn Bridge Road Race on Sunday 1 March in Tockington, South Gloucestershire. We had ten laps of a tough (racing at speed) circuit to complete with one big climb (Hog Hill) at near the finish on every lap. Each climb carried a KOM prime (except the last) so each climb made harder. The crowds were the best I've seen for a while - they hugged the curbs along the climb and at the finish (last lap).

Severn Bridge Road Race: 1 March 2009 from Rob Enslin on Vimeo.

The first lap was sketchy as the riders appeared a little nervous - perhaps as it was the season opener? By the end of the first lap - going up Hog Hill climb (a beast) - was pace was relentless (furious) with Alex suffereing off the back (see video). The training camp miles still firmly biting his legs (and Tom and mine I might add). Alarm bells were sounding when I could bearly hold a wheel and struggling to breath going that climb.  Tom and Sam seemed very comfortable. Fortunately the crowds were cheering loud enough to keep me going - including fantastic support by the Enslin family (and Sam's dad Mark).

On ~ lap 3 going up Hog Hill a split was forced by the strong men (pros) of the race and two big groups formed. By now Alex had climbed off so the three of us were hanging in the second group. The gap stayed around ~30-40 secs for the next few laps. Also the field numbers were lessening as the pace remained high.

Onto the final quarter of the race and our chase group picked up a little momentum with Grant Bayton charging the riders with order and colllective effort to close. It worked and we reduced the gap. With three laps to go we bridged the lead group, but sadly both Tom and Sam faded. Tom, like Alex, suffering from post-camp fatigue and Sam cramping up the climb.

Now with a lap to go two riders (Marcin Biablocki and James Millard) clipped off the front and rode away to sprint it out while we endured a number of solo attacks which amounted to nothing. Up the final climb and I actually started to feel stronger so stayed near the front. Turning right with a kilo to go I kept the pressure on to finish comfortably in the main front group taking a top 20 finishing place (TBC).

After speaking with Tom and Alex it was clear we all had hard miles in our legs, which was slowly dissipating to be replaced with form (speed and power - a racing-winning formula). Watch this space!

Sam rode impresively today and a certain talent with a bright racing future. (just remember salt tablets for the next event).

Final placings:

1. Marcin Biablocki

2. James Millard

3. Marc Perry

?. Rob Enslin (AW Cycles)

?. Sam Allen (AW Cycles)

?. Tom Smith (AW Cycles)

DNF. Alex Peterson  (AW Cycles)

Other points of reference:

British Cycling race report (and photos)

Fit-For race report