Today 4 riders made the journey to Ludgershall to take part in round 5. As we made our way down the motorway we noticed it had started to snow! Regardless, we carried on. Upon arrival we were pleasantly surprised to see the race going ahead as normal. After meeting UOBCC riders Thomas Hall and Sam Game there (who had already ridden 8 miles from the station), we headed to the circuit. It was wet. It was cold. After signing on Tom, Sam and Mat were put in the second 4th cat race. Lining up on the start line the cold really hit us (it's worth mentioning Sam was in a skin suit!).
A lap in and we were all drenched and all feeling in our hands had gone. After multiple attacks by Sam we had upset the pack sufficiently and a few had dropped out suffering from the cold. Tom suffered a minor crash (don't try fixing your di2 mid-race). Fortunately a lap later he was back in the race. After 40 minutes a lone rider made an unsuspecting break and got away. UOBCC made an effort to chase but with no one else willing to help we settled down and reevaluated for the sprint. With 2 laps to go Mat settled behind the peloton leader looking at his options. After one and a half laps he knew his original tow couldn't give him the lead out he wanted. On the back straight he looked around hoping for a lead out. From nowhere team mate Sam Game shot past like a bullet! This was the lead out he needed. After Sam's impressive display of sportsmanship and pure power Mat jumped out his saddle and went on to win the sprint - second place for UOBCC! Sam even managed to hold his pace and kept the rest at bay taking 3rd - 2,3 for UOBCC! After a mechanical problem Tom found himself unable to stay in one gear - but he still made an impressive effort to stay with the pack!
Unfortunately the snow had settled during the race and Henry's race was called off. This was disappointing but understandable. Mat now needs to come 8th in his next race and Sam to come 9th to go up to Cat 3.
1st Kim Little Gillingham and District Wheelers
2nd Matthew Mew University of Bristol CC
3rd Sam Game University of Bristol CC
13th Thomas Hall University of Bristol CC
Words by Matthew Mew
Unfortunately the snow had settled during the race and Henry's race was called off. This was disappointing but understandable. Mat now needs to come 8th in his next race and Sam to come 9th to go up to Cat 3.
1st Kim Little Gillingham and District Wheelers
2nd Matthew Mew University of Bristol CC
3rd Sam Game University of Bristol CC
13th Thomas Hall University of Bristol CC
Words by Matthew Mew
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