June 15th, Oulton Park - Take 2
The sunshine was out and so were the riders for the 2nd Oulton Park of the year. Proof if it was needed that many riders, just like the good-looking women are solar powered. In fact there were so many riders that by the time I arrived, fashionably late, we were parking on what was usually the warm up area.
Wills Wheels as usual were well represented despite the loss of Jimmy and Greg who had chosen to support the race at Ashton. Rob returned looking to make it two in a row in the under 40's race, with Phil, Young Chris, Jonathan and I looking to do more than make up the numbers. Even the infamous James Leyland made an appearance and with him on side at least we knew we could talk the opposition into submission! In the 40 and over race Dave Genders returned to put his good form from the Spud to use and Jason Pickford, who'd finally finished polishing his aero helmet and made a reappearance, to keep him company.
Unlike last week things were running to schedule, well almost and we assembled up for the start just a few minutes late. This meant we got the full race distance of 12 laps, just over 31 miles. I did suggest to Chris that we should get a bonus extra 4 laps to make up for those we lost last week but I don't think this went down too well.
As the race got underway I was trying to convince myself not to attack straight away but it's just so tempting isn't it? However, before I could make up my mind Leyland was already sprinting off up the road, looking use his current ‘fulltime bike rider' status to his advantage or maybe he just seen all the photographers round the course... It didn't take long though for a reaction to come from the bunch and I'm pretty sure it was initiated by Jack Green, who didn't want to let his mate upstage him.
No sooner was it back together than Rob went on the first of his many many attacks. It was hard to say exactly what happened over the next few laps as it all went by rather quickly in a flurry of activity. Maybe I should get a helmet cam fitted for next week and I can watch it to get a recap or better yet just post the video on the website, save me typing.
One bit I do remember though was when the bunch sat up Phil took the opportunity to attack and into what was quite a strong wind took the opportunity to attack and got sufficient gap to stay away up the climb and onto the start finish straight. Phil then ground to somewhat of a halt, as Rob bored of being back in the bunch for more than 30 seconds went across to him and straight past. I caught up with Phil as he retired back to the safety of the bunch to ask him what happened, his reply was something along the lines of ‘it's bloody hard off the front, don't bother'. Well I wish I'd listened as a couple of laps later I did exactly the same move and by the time I was going down the finishing straight was struggling to hold 20 mph, I felt embarrassed as I went past the spectators, not surprisingly it wasn't long before I was caught and able to hide back in the pack.
After around five laps, a split emerged with most of the younger keener riders, including Rob and Jack Green up in the front half and the rest of us a bit further back. The distance between the two groups never got more than 20 seconds and we all knew it would only take one effort to bring them back and nobody seemed in any hurry.
Phil and I having recovered from our misadventures off the front had a good chat and decided that the race was more exciting than last week's and a little faster. Young Chris and Leyland were obviously feeling good as they kept popping up near the front of our group and looking eager to get involved. Jonathan was avoiding trouble and seemed to be enjoying getting into the racing.
Eventually a few riders in our group, that was the back one in case you forgot, felt inspired to do some work and close the gap. I figured this would be a good time to attack, as everyone would be tired from working up front or chasing. Still as you might have gathered from these reports my best laid plans never quite come to fruition and so it was in this case. I put in what I felt was a good effort as the two groups were coming together and a couple of other riders jumped on my wheel. Apparently nobody was as tired as I hoped and despite a few gaps appearing and faces pulled throughout the bunch as it strung out it all regrouped rather quickly.
With just over two laps to go Rob sprinted across the gap to a couple of riders looking to go clear, he was soon followed by a handful of other riders to leave a break of eight dangling tantalisingly just off the front of the bunch. The bunch really was tired now after reacting to all the previous attacks and I was able to sit 3rd man and watch as the couple of riders with something left tried in vein to pull it back.
Into the last lap the break had built up a decent little advantage and it looked like the only thing that could stop them from staying clear was if they lapped the other race and got held up. Fortunately a combination of the break slowing down to play tactics into the headwind and the other race speeding up as they got the bell meant the two races stayed separate.
As we came up onto the start finish straight for the bunch gallop the break had already crossed the line. Meanwhile I was pretty much at the front so thought I'd just stay there and hopefully out of trouble, I followed a couple of wheels and with a half-hearted sprint came 2nd in the bunch for about 52nd overall. All the other Wills Wheels riders finished safely in the bunch as well.
I was more interested to see if Rob had managed to win, as with last week there was no reason to worry as he again had shown his speed to win from the break. If anything Rob's ride this week was even more impressive than the last one as he was constantly on the attack and showing the powers of youthful recovery. Where Phil and I were taking up to three laps to recover and even consider making another effort Rob was taking no more than 30 seconds.
In the over 40's race Dave Genders put on a show of strength as he went clear of the field with three laps to go. Through two to go he was still clear and holding out a good advantage. Unfortunately as Dave said later he'd gone a lap to early as he was caught just after the bell. Jason too had been riding strong and both riders finished well in the bunch along with Rick Johnson.
All in all it was a good race and enjoyable race run in the sunshine, what more can you ask for? At least it helped me to put the depression of the weekends racing behind me.
As this was the second of three races, you guessed it that means there is only one more left! It would be good to see a few more riders down there next week. It really is a good place to come and have a race and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. If you haven't done any yet this season don't let that put you off as there are plenty of places to hide in the pack and no hills worthy of the name to contend with.