GHS onto 2010

The end of the 2009 after my 2nd in france was pretty average coming 7th in my age group at the GHS national time trial, but that was due to illness in the weeks before and this marked the end of my racing season. I was very disappointed but next year will be my last shot at the GHS competition so I will only be happy with a medal.

Onto 2010, the squad has been made a lot more compact with some of the boys moving onto the One Life Fuga Squad. However in our Junior team we have (myself,Jake Martin,Charlie Fawke,Elliott Tabraham Dowers and Bongo Jamieson) and we will soon be joined by current youths (Dante Carpenter,Milo Burdeau). The team looks extremely strong and I Look forward to riding with our talented team. The 3 older riders (Jay,Adam and Josh) are moving to Belgium to race in Flanders colours. Which I hope one day I will be able to follow. Next year we have two new sponsors coming on board, firstly Holmes Couriers and Flanders Bike shop who's bikes look Beautiful and I look forward to riding next year as I have out grown my current Fuga.

I shall update the blog soon but there isn't much to talk about during the winter block but I will upload any pics I have of the squad during training ;)

Race and Day of My life

After my awesome experience of racing in France at the start of the summer and watching the tour de France which was truly inspirational. I had the worst nationals at Hillingdon but I then return to France for what was the best race of my life.

I raced at Montaut in a 75 km criterium around the streets during the village fete. It was the hottest day I can remember of the summer and my legs were extremely strong after 150km of motor pacing thanks to my mum and Greg the week prior to the race. The race started fast with myself attacking from the gun to separate the 50 field on an extremely tight circuit. After constant attacks throughout the race I found myself able to latch onto the back of every attack and by the 50km mark there were only about 20 left in the lead group. Then Kevin Lago attacked extremely strongly and he went alone and I did not react thinking it would be impossible to ride alone to the finish for 25km (to my mistake). Then with 15 km remaining I knew us stronger riders could not give him anymore time as he made himself a 1.30 min lead.

So I launched the most powerful attack of my life bringing 3 riders with me. I tried to get the group to work well together but they did not want to know and after having an argument with fingers flying with the departmental champion I decided if I wanted a result I needed to do the pulling. So with 10 km to go as we hit the final straight I attacked form the front (tradition Cadel Style) and managed to gain 50 meters in no time at all. So the next task was to bury the head and ride alone to the finish in pursuit of Kevin. by the time i got to the finishing straight Kevin beat me by about 10 secs and as I crossed the line I Sat up and marked Lago's quality ride clapping towards him as a mark of recognition, however I put 1 min 30 on the break of 3 and finished in 2nd place.

After the race I was treated like a pro, with all 300 people watching, wanting to shake my hand and the feeling was unbelievable and I hope to repeat that again in the 2010 campaign but maybe get a 1st place abroad. After the race the first person I went to was my mum and gave her a Hug as I needed to share my excitement with someone, and as a way of saying thank you as she could see all the hard work we had both put in, as it had came evident right in front of her. Then there was the podium where I was interviewed in french which was pretty cool and got a bouquet of flower.

France So far

Well To be honest I have had a great time this summer so far. It all started off with two long days in the Pyrenees including 6 major cols, then watching the tour de France climb the Aspin and climbing the last 3km behind the end of the race car. Following van Hummel from skill shimano at 26kmph quite fast for the slowest rider.

Below:Nocentni in yellow


Above:Kern in polka dot and Brice Felliu

Then my 1st race around the streets of Tarbes and not knowing what to expect I got a good 7th just missing out on the break not knowing who's wheels to follow.
However the weekend after I had a disaster I through my chain, and had no chance of getting back on with the main group riding just shy of 50kmph on the flat.

Below: me at tarbes leading the peloton



So then I went to the nationals back in England and my aim was to not miss the days break and guess what there one wasn’t. I lasted just shy of 2 laps out front with one other rider but typical English youth racing it came down to the mass sprint. And after recovering at the back of the bunch I could find no way to get through as the whole field wanted to do the same thing. It was a really poor race at the end I was hardly tied and felt really uninspired as there was no atmosphere that you would expect, and like you get at a Cadets race (under 16's) in France. There were very few people watching and I got a rock thrown at my bike by one of the local lads. The race may have been quite fast but because it was at Hillingdon people were able to sit in the bunch all day and get towed around and the race never strung out so I had no chance, and feeling on top form I was quite annoyed with it. The race would have been much better at hog hill where the 13% climb would have really showed the stronger riders.

Moving on I have 3 races in France left this summer with my next tomorrow at Montaut. The race is 70 km and that’s all I know so I will aim for another top 10 and I would love a podium before I return to Britain the more hills the better. I feel really strong at the moment and with 3 motor paced session done this week two 40km's and 0ne 80km's with an average speed just shy of 40kmph I feel strong and confident going in to the race.

To be honest I can't wait to return to England as I will be 16 and be able to road race and with the races in France under my belt maybe I can bag some results as a 3rd cat. And hopefully in the long term future after my A levels and 2 years of being a junior I can race as an espoir in France :)

Adios

Horsham TT

Tonight I did the Horsham 10 on the g10/57 course. I was hoping it was going to be calm however the wind was really strong with a head wind down to Crawley. I was hoping to go under 23 Min's but it wasn't to be my day. Got stoped at the first round about by a lorry almost coming to a standstill. Then had to slow at the 3rd roundabout. On the return it was really quick i hit the return round about around 12Min's and i knew i had to dig deep to save my pride. I was going what i thought was fast but with a 50*12/27 (climbing gears) i spun regularly at 130rpm. i came home in 23:09 a new PB but was hoping for better. All seems well prepared for Saturday my biggest race thus far, GHS regional Qualifiers. I will be riding a full carbon Pinnacle TT bike with deep rims and a TT helmet. so that will save some time and if i don't get held up by LORRIES i should be able to do a 22:30 easy.
Next Event is the Worthing 10 on Thursday, according to my good friend Keith he says the course is around a minute faster so i will aim for around low 22's got to beat 22:30 tho.
Quick mention to Patrick who rode a strong ride achieving his PB and I am glad Keith had a good trip to the alps and Patrick and myself bet he rides before Sunday!
Also I can't wait for my 3 days training in the Pyrenees!!!

Below: tour on the Aubisque

Feeling Strong

I have just returned from the Kalas 2 Day a exceptional event in Somerset. 5 riders form the development squad and 5 from the one life squad participated against some of the country's strongest, and we came away with a collection of top 10's in every stage. Not bad considering the field included Sports beans and Pendragon. I took part in the 2/3 support race. Starting with a field of about 50 the race split up into pieces. However I missed the break of 8 and came in for 11Th or 12Th coming 3rd in the bunch sprint. I feel much more confident now about my ability and now you can be sure of some attackive riding!

Below: Fuga One life and In gear Development Squad at the Kalas 2 Day.

Also on Wednesday I took part in the In gear TT and did the course in 11:50 and won the event. Although not pleased with my time I found out i was just 30 secs of the course record. This is the same course i will be doing the regional GHS heat this Saturday. I should get a win as it is well within my capabilities and also I would win a medal presented at the rttc presentation evening. I am aiming for the record as I will be doing the event on a TT bike, (thank you Patrick) and I will be 100% in the zone and I know I can push myself much harder as the course is very short and I did not realise this last Wednesday.

This week I will be doing both the Horsham and Crawley 10's and i hope to break 23Min's. Not an easy target but if you do not set hard goals you do not get better.

That's All for now, my next blog will be on Monday and I will let you know About the start of my continental experience, beginning with a 3 day training camp in the Pyrenees!

Let the games Begin!

Well I finished my gcse's yesturday. SO that is great news as the riding will be full on from now. Havn't done much racing recently because you only get one shot at exams. But I got a 3rd at hove park, i stuipidly didnt go with the break(didn't dig deep enough) but i won the sprint. Last night i did my first ever time trial on the G10/57 course. I did it i 23:11 on my training Bike with clip ons. I was real happy with this time as i havn't done as much training as i would have liked to lately. But the rest of the season is looking good and this is what i have lined up:

Minet Grand Prix hillingdon e123 12th June

Horsham 15 mile tt 15th june

In gear 5 mile tt Laughton 16th june

Crawley 10 mile tt 17th june

Hove park 4th cats 19th June

Horsham 10 23rd june

In Gear 5 mile tt 24th

Crawley 10 mile tt 25th
GHS regional heat 5mile tt 27th june
Then Off to France

3 day training Camp through pyrenees 4th 5th and 6th
Atheze Race 12th july (Pyrenees Atlantique regional Champs)

Igon race 19th july

Back To england

National Circuit Champs 25th july

Then Off to France
Montuat 2nd August

Back To england

8th to 17th ?

Then Off to France

Oloron 23rd

Serres Castet 30th

Back To england

british cycling tt champs 6th sepetember
or
Warick Town center races

GHS National Final 12th September
Then Some Road And Hill Climbs

So the season looks really good from now on, i will try to keep the blog updated weekly!

Adios

Long time no blog

Sorry, been a long time since the last blog but i have quite a succsefull last month. i got 2nd place at the ixworth criteriums which were the central regional champs and could have won it really, but us two rode well in a strong break riding away fromt the field. full credit to patrick scarboro. I have also rode at hog hill a couple of times getting a second at the bill temme memorial crits. As as i have now got my dispentation i will be focusing on longer 3rd cat ciruit races. In preperation for racing in France this summer for UCAB. The races are much longer than under 16 races in the uk and can be as long as 70km. so that should be good. next race is the 4th cats at Goodwood on Sunday so should get a top 5 well hope so!
Thats all try to blog asap but i started my gcse today.

Another Podium

Well I wasn't overly happy with today’s performance although I got a 3rd place in the race and a 2nd in the Under 16's race

My racing tactics and positioning were not as good as last time although I felt even stronger than last time. The race was a lot slower than last week and without Tom J and Elliot it was an even harder task to try and quicker up the race and send the younger ones out the back. I tried to put down some pressure on the pedals on the hill straight and this didn’t help as I just formed myself and unintentional 10m gap and I wasn’t going to try and ride of the front for half the race on my own. With 3 to go I was having another go to try and drop some of the field and then with two to go I positioned myself 2nd in line but this wasn’t overly successful and with 5oom to go it was like a drag race with the race appearing 5 across then I tried to jump on the wheel of the attacking palmer park rider with 300m but he suddenly blew so I was isolated on my own so I buried myself like last week but 2 riders sprant past and by the time I got on the wheel of rider in 2nd place a little kid who was riding the younger race got in the way and I had to pull on the brakes but I just held for 3rd in the race if it wasn’t for the kid I would have probably got 2nd but for 1 place it want worth the risk. Any way I am in the team car at the Surrey League race At Dunsfold tomorrow and hopefully if I get myself a good result next week I should win the squad some money.

First Win

Sorry It has been a long time since my last blog but I was waiting for something decent to talk about and now I have. Training has been quite vigorous and I have just finished a three week set of hard training and I have had my first two consecutive days of the bike since I can remember. On Saturday just gone I raced in the first of the Beyond Crits at Hillingdon and before the race I was hoping for a podium finish considering I was at DHL sprint School the previous days (Great Fun). But as I stopped at the start finish line I realized there were a lot of people who had previously beaten me in round 10 of the Winter Series where i came a disappointing and shocking 7th but I made mistakes in that race and i made sure I wasn’t to make those errors again.

The First few laps were quick with the race being split up into various groups because of the differences n age and strength. But there were constant attacks from a specific Palmer pack rider who constantly attacked from the back and would normally be caught as every Hillingdon Slipstreamer in the race would sprint until the break was caught. However after these constant attacks with 1/2 a lap to go he tried his luck again and he gain himself a strong 20m lead with 350m to go. I was lying in 3rd wheel at the time (I Think) and I buried myself from the bottom of the final corner and caught the Palmer Park Rider and I had around 100m to hold out. I just dug deep into the reserves and I buried myself and I could see a rider up on my right side so I used the tactics Valverde taught me from watching the liege Bastogne Liege and stuck my elbows out and pushed him nearer to the barriers although perfectly safe i don't think he was as confident as I was going into the sprint. Well I held on and beat my fellow team mate Tom Jameson by about half a bike length and he was on my wheel coming up to the finish but he was unable to get past. So I was delighted and on Checking my HR monitor my Max for the race was 203bpm. So in the end it was a good show beating 5 people who had beaten me earlier in the year and an IN Gear 1, 2. Just got to live up to the same next week.

New Wheels!!!!!

Well they look the part lets hope i win some races now!!

Crash and flats

With Josh,AdamC ,Jaco,Doug and jason at the perfs and the flu hitting some of the riders the numbers were little at our sunday training ride. Adam was ride leader and we had our first flat tire within the first 400m when Adam punctured before the trafic lights and we had not even left K2. About an hour in and Adam had another puncture. but apart from the stops the ride was quite fast but enjoyable. after two hours we meet up with Ric and Bongo and as we first meet them Adam had himself another puncture. (maybe he will remember his training wheels next time). but as we continued down Grouse Lane a mad 4x4 driver with a horse box decided not to slow down as the road narrowed and this caused the rider in front of me (Oli) to crash into the mud gard of the trailer and then i was behind him so i toppled on top of him. I was ok but Oli was in a worse shape and he's bike looked a tad unridable afterwards to. Well the driver decided not to stop and stormed off down the road and after a call to the police we road back to Tilgate 40mins earlier than expected.

On a good note well done to Josh Cunnigham who got 11th at the Perfs.

Hillingdon Winter Series

My first race of the season was at hillingdon last saturday (23rd). I was looking forward to racing after not racing since october and i was feeling quite strong. the race was 30 mins + 3 laps but that was not to be to my advantage later in the race. i spent the race pushing hard at the front and then relienquishing at the back however the pace was slow and there was only a few people who were prepared to spend any time on the front. By the time i heard the bell i was at the front not seeing the 3,2 laps to go and then i had one option to push a hard as i could to the finish. so i was on the front for 0.75 miles when the lactate began to build up and i couldn't give anymore but i still held on to 7th with Eliot getting 5th. Although i was a tad disapionted i was still a great deal fitter than i was this time last season bring on the rest of the season.

Todays ride was at last a warm one it actually reached over 4 degrees so i got straight out with a few others and we headed out over dorking way to find out that Wesmeston Hill was unridable so we turned back and headed back for Horsham along the way we added a few intermidiate sprints and i was piped by Woody on the drag to Rusper. After a quick tea break i headed back over towards Cranliegh to make the ride the full 4 hours. Look forward to the week ahead not an easy one!

TomL

Fuga Ec

Brand New Fuga Emotional carbon in team colours,