Hillingdon Winter Series 2007 – Round 11 (27/01/07)
Two representatives from Thames Velo were at Hillingdon circuit this week – Mike Inder and Ian Lowe. The weather conditions were good – dry and not too cold or windy, which helped boost the numbers to over 60 riders.
The pace was quite high with a group of 7 getting away fairly early in the race, containing the stronger riders. Mike and Ian were seen to be working well in the bunch with some moves breaking away. However, none were quite strong enough and were brought back each time by the pack.
With a few laps remaining Mike got into a group that looked to be pulling away, but his gamble didn’t pay off and it was to come in with the bunch at 33rd. Ian was well placed towards the end of the race, but came back in the bunch sprint for 48th.
Mike said: “I had to turn the efforts into a training session as there was no chance of another group getting away this week. I worked hard to try and be in most moves – maybe too hard, as I paid for it at the finish.”
Ian said: “This week the tactics were to finish comfortably with the bunch, after being spat out the back last week. I was very happy with my ride and felt strong to contest the sprint, but it was very nervous up there so I decided to play it safe and slip back.”
Hillingdon Winter Series 2007 – Round 10 (20/01/07)
After the last few weeks of rain it was a dry day at the circuit on Saturday. However, the elements were not so kind with a brisk wind that felt to the riders to be against them at every stage.
For Thames Velo this week were Ian Lowe and Mike Inder who were joined by around 50 other riders. Initial attacks didn’t pay off this week but Paul Pickup (agiskoviner.com) decided to go early and soloed away from the rest of the race. With his teammates covering moves it wasn’t until a few laps later that Mick McManus (Twickenham CC) and Woulter Sybrandy (agiskoviner.com) got away too. Both Mike and Ian were still in the bunch and a move saw Mike in a group go clear. However, this got brought back after a few laps and the counter attack enabled 4 riders to get away.
With the wind taking its toll, the bunch pretty much stayed together until the last few laps where 3 riders managed to escape the group. Mike came in with the bunch in 22nd place and Ian had pulled out a few laps earlier.
Mike said: “That was one of the hardest races of the series. I thought I had made the cut but then a counter-move had to made to make it stick. When that didn’t work another group got a gap and it was all I could to watch it ride away, so I’m a bit gutted. I had nothing for the sprint at the end, so overall a disappointing race for me.”
Ian said: “I started the race badly but soon got into it and felt a bit more comfortable. I went with a few moves but didn’t have the legs for it. Towards the end of the race I couldn’t even keep up with the bunch, so disappointing for me too!”
Imperial Winter Series 2007 – Round 9 (13/01/07)
Another damp day with a stiff wind against the riders down the back straight did not influence the numbers as a big field lined up for the start. With the new season approaching a few new faces turned up to test their legs alongside the regulars. For Thames Velo this week were Mike Inder, Ian Lowe and Gary Bullock.
Early attacks were doomed to failure this week unless some of the stronger riders were in evidence – and at around half distance 8 riders forged ahead. Under the pressure of the break, this soon was whittled down to four – with a group of 11 chasing. The bunch started to work to pull this back and it looked to be succeeding. However, too many solo efforts to bridge disrupted the chase which broke the rhythm of the pursuit. Also, the break were quickly organising themselves and forged ahead – never to be caught.
In the closing laps the leading quartet were about to lap the field, but held back to enable a fairer sprint to take place.
Unfortunately, none of the Thames riders had made the cut and so came in with the bunch. Ian placed 18th (just outside of the points), Mike 25th and Gary 35th - there were 43 finishers.
Mike said: “I didn’t have it this week – I started well and keep in a good position, but dropped too far back when the break proper took off. The efforts by the bunch to pull the next group back were working really well, but too many riders were not committed to the chase and we let them go.”
Ian chose wisely in his lead out man and missed out on points by one place: “I was gutted to miss out by so close a margin. I didn’t start well but gradually got into the race – I had a hard week training and maybe was a bit too tired coming into todays event.”
Gary was pleased with his race, racing in the Green and Red for the first time: “For the amount of training I’m doing I can’t expect much more. I had a good workout in the race today – much better than sitting in and waiting for others to make the effort.”
Imperial Winter Series 2007 – Round 8 (06/01/07)
Bad weather put quite a few riders off today’s race, but the field of 28 riders was still sufficient to put on a good show for those brave enough to stand out in the heavy rain.
For the Velo this week were Ian Lowe and Mike Inder – who both broke away early on to have 2 laps to themselves before being pulled back by the race.
Some strong attacking then saw two riders get a gap and with the rain getting worse it looked as though this would trigger an response and a formation of a break. As riders started to bridge in groups, the race split in two halves with a lead break of 14 riders containing Inder, but with Lowe still back with the bunch. It took a while for the break to settle and even looked to be in jeopardy until some strong solo efforts increased the lead once more.
With 5km to go 2 riders escaped the break to fight it out for the win, with the break unable to respond. From the sprint, Mike managed 7th place for 9th overall in the race. Ian came in safely with the bunch.
Mike said: “I knew it would split apart in the atrocious conditions and was keeping an eye on the stronger riders, which paid off. I was with some real strongmen in the sprint, so should be pleased with the placing I got. However, I know I can do better.”
Ian commented: “ I could see the break taking shape but was too far back to respond. The weather conditions were really bad – conditions that I’m not used to racing in.”