Reading Cycling Club press report, week ending 17 January 2010

Circuit Racing news.

Joe Harris has returned to the Hog Hill circuit for more race action. He
reports on his latest outing: "I came 6th in the E/1/2/3/4 race even
though I didn't feel good, I struggled to respond to any of the attacks,
and I had to watch moves go and didn't have the strength to bridge
across to them. I think this was down to the recent snow stopping me
from getting out to train. By the end of the race there were five riders
strung out around the course in front of the bunch. I found some
strength at the finish to go early for the sprint, I got the gearing and
timing perfect and finished in 6th overall at the head of the bunch."

Wayne Thomas reports on his recent activity.
The weather gods were in a fickle mood last Saturday afternoon as some
100 riders lined up for the three races at the Hillingdon circuit.
Amongst them, competing in the third category race were Reading CC's
stalwarts (ie. nuts) - Wayne Thomas and Paul Stedman.The wet conditions
had seemed to have abated as 35+ third cats prepared for the off -
however less than five minutes after starting, the heavens opened with a
vengeance to produce a torrential downpour that lasted for most of the
race. Needless to say it made for a most unpleasant experience. However,
it did not deter from some quite spirited riding, including the rare
sight of Thomas leading the bunch for over half a lap and across the
finishing line. Stedman was also quite active at or near the front of
the bunch for much of the race. After the first race of the series, the
third cats continue to re-assert their "authority", and the fourth
category bunch, who had set off approximately 60 seconds in front,were
reeled in after 25 minutes.
In such conditions it was no great surprise that the whole bunch (now
reduced to 26 riders) contested the final sprint. Stedman, showing all
his indoor track craft, somehow extricated himself from being boxed in
at 150m to get 10th place - his first BC licence points as a third cat -
with Thomas, showing his consistency in scoring series points, just
behind in 12th place.

The recent snow inevitably caused the circuit races at Hillingdon, Hog
Hill and the opening race at Upavon to be canceled at the weekend.
Reading CC's Veteran Road Racer, Wayne Thomas, was not deterred by the
cold over the Xmas and New Year period and competed in three third
category events at the Hillingdon circuit - on Boxing Day, New Year's
Day and on 2nd January.
Each day though very cold, was bright and sunny with blue skies.
However, with the wind shifting from South, to North/North East and back
to South West/West so the nature of the racing changed on each day.
With fields of 40 plus, the racing was spirited and despite some
attrition, 30+ riders competed in the final sprints.
Thomas was happy to finish in 14th, 19th and 22nd - scoring series
points for the second time.
He commented " as ever the uphill finish at Hillingdon is a difficult
one to judge - a left hand bend at 300m, a relatively narrow roadway,
and an S bend at 150m make it no place for the faint of heart when we
are at full bore".

The Winter Circuit Race series will continue each Saturday at Hillingdon
(1300) until 13 Feb and at Upavon (0900) until 13th March - and all
categories are catered for.
The full 2010 racing season opens on 14 February - less than five weeks
away.

Wayne Thomas is also the organiser for the LVRC (Veterans) Road Race
held at Stoke Row.
"I am delighted to announce that the event has been elevated to be a
part of the Season Long prestigious Percy Stallard Series and will be
held on Sunday 19th September.
This will ensure a quality full field of 120 riders across the three
races."
The series is run in memory of Percy Stallard, who was the prime
catalyst for bringing massed start cycle road racing from the continent
to the UK.

Sunday clubrun
All groups leave Reading Market Place at 9am on Sundays.

Roderick MacFadyen
Reading Cycling Club