08.03.09 Bal Tab RR

A cold, wet and breezy day greeted riders taking apart in the first road race of the 2008 season on the Bal Tab circuit with many of the normal VSJ stalwarts staying in bed...where were you Mike, Andy, Doc et al.. A lack of Div 1 riders led to Div 1 & 2 being combined giving the lower division riders the challenge of staying with the top flight over 7 laps (35 miles). Ali Cann took first place with Bob Cabot best VSJ rider in 7^th but as it was the normal Bal Tab mass sprint this was no guide to form and it is early days...bring on a few hills. Nick le Cocq tells me he got in some good time trial practice doing a lot of work on the front whilst Matt Gambles learnt an important lesson not to lose the wheel in front!  

There was a good turn out in Div 3 with 16 riders lining up at the start of their 6 lap race. The majority of the group stayed together for the whole race with only one serious breakaway, which needed a concerted effort from 5 Velo riders to bring back. Another bunch sprint saw an excellent effort by Ian Williams taking 3^rd place closely followed by Alex Blampied; yours truly was ready for a devastating burst of speed in the final 100 yards when both thigh muscles clamped up...next time. Good to see Jo Ganieries sticking with the pace and young Sam was also there at the end showing how much he has improved from last year, great effort. Susan Williams also stuck with the group for 3 laps before dropping off...a good first effort, stick with it...you should have seen my first performance in a road race!

Finally a big thank you to Bill Buist for organising ably assisted by Kevin Mahoney and excellent marshalling in the form of Mark Le Turgeon, Terry Noel, Alan Irving, Neil Laugeard and Doc Snook

 Results

 Div 1 & 2 

 Div3