AFFILIATED TO B.C._CTT_LVRC
CHAMPION OF THE VAUCLUSE
Yes you're as surprised as me. After 5 weeks doing
hardly any km and any top end training, suffering from various ailments
including tummy bugs and bad colds, today I won the Senior B (U 40's)
Championship of the Department of The Vaucluse.
I woke up knowing the méteo was crap and it was. Pouring with rain
and blustery, I didn't even want to go after the lst two DNF's. Anyway
the least I could do was turn up and help Bruno for a few laps before
I climbed off. Not trying to be negative here!!
Here's how it panned out. 45 starters in the Senior B category (U 40's),
7 laps of a 13km loop. each lap has a twisty descent from the start, 4km
flat, 3km false flat up into a headwind, 5km flat with crosswind then
2km drag at about 3% up to the finish.
José, Cat 1 who won at Montsegur two weeks ago, was as usual very
pro active and to my delight a counter attack by me after an attack by
José on the second lap dragged 5 away. Then you give it everything
hoping the elastic snaps somewhere behind you. It did!! 5 of us away,
in the rain, windy, we had to stay away. Flat out for 2 laps - merde!!
3 more joined us dragged up by an elite rider called Deshamps. At least
the bunch was dead and buried somewhere behind. And then there were 8
arguing like mad! with 2 laps left no one wanted to graft so I put a dig
in off the front and gained 100m straight away, then 200m then 300m. At
the foot of the 2km drag I buried my self. I had decided that this was
all or nothing. I was going to win or come 8th. The top of the climb was
flat, past the finish, the bell, 13km to go. I'm a good descender so threw
caution to the wind and went down the other side far too fast for the
slippery conditions. Out of the bend at the bottom of the hill I was on
the drops but standing up, 53-12, 60kmh, tailwind.
At the end of the 4km flat I chanced a look behind. They were gone but
it was to early to smile. Up the 3km false flat, don't panic - pace yourself.
5km flat, no one behind me. At the bottom of the climb I looked over my
shoulder and smiled. 53-21 turning nicely, legs good, 200m to go. Now
I'm not smiling I'm laughing - delighted. Crossed the line, arms in the
air with a 1m 30s lead. Shocked and amazed. Clubmate Patrick tells me
I'm the first ever Brit to win the departmental Camps!!!!
www.britishcycling.org.uk
www.ctt.org.uk
www.lvrc.org
www.lakeslancsspoco.freeserve.co.uk
www.audax.uk.net