Felt Colbornes Team

On Wednesday 10th June I travelled to Winchcombe for the first round of the popular Cotswold League Road Race Series. The first round last month had been cancelled due to flooding, and the weather was doing its best to ruin the Winchcombe race also. Conditions were filthy, especially the section of road outside a farm where the road was a nice shade of brown. I was half expecting to be reaching for the Immodium on Thursday morning…….

Back to the race. Split into 3 groups for a pursuit style of racing, 7 of us set off in the scratch group with 4laps of around 8miles to catch the others. Driving rain and spray from the wheels made the going pretty cold and grim. Castelli kit was great though, especially the windproof baselayer which kept me warm without the need for bulky clothing. The groups all came together towards the end of the 3rd lap and the race was on. 2 riders clipped off the front on the long drag up to the finish line and by the top of the climb 5 of us had escaped to form a break with 8miles remaining.

The last lap I started to feel good for the first time all race. Being in the break and riding hard helped to keep the legs warm. Tried to drink some High 5 energy drink to dilute the tasty road spray. 5 of us arrived at the bottom of the last climb and Ian Alexander attacked and rode away steadily at a good tempo. With two VCM riders in the break I tried to be patient and stay in the wheels. It looked as though Ian was on his was to a win however……

Wayne Coombes decided to accelerate in pursuit of Ian and I jumped onto his wheel. We caught Ian and with the finish in sight I went for the line. My legs were starting to buckle and Grant Bayton manage to edge ahead by half a bike length by the line. 2nd place in a reasonably strong field however, things are on the up! With a limited amount of racing in my legs this year I’m sure the best form is yet to come.

Maybe I’ll find out in a couple of hours time, as heading to the VCM Circuit Race Series at Cheltenham Racecourse….