Published on 23rd March 2015 | By Chris Walker

Duncan Sparrow RR - Pimbo 22.03.2015

Photo Credit Ellen Isherwood 2015.

 I was pleasently awoken this morning by beams of sunlight through my window, a change to the usual drab of british weather that we’ve experienced thus far. With my kit packed and ready to go, we headed to Pimbo circuit for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. As I arrived I just caught the end of the 2/3/4 race, won by Steven Fidler. I put my numbers on and headed swiftly to the course to get a couple of laps in to warm up.

The Racing started fast and furious as I expected with the quality field that had turned up to race, including riders from NFTO, Madison Genesis, Starley Velosure, Pedal Heaven, and Champion Systems. I tried to stay vary aware during the opening laps as I had missed the break last time I rode this circuit. I kept an eye out on the riders who I had begun to learn were threats. I went with about the 3rd attack that included several strong names that I had been marking, we worked well and made it up to the break that had already been established.

Photo Credit Ellen Isherwood 2015.

I held on for as long as I could in this break with pretty much all the big names in the break, until they started attacking and shredding the bunch down again. I fought for the wheels but unfotunately paid for my efforts, loosing contact with what was now a very select group of riders. The remainders of the break continued to work, making little ground on the leading riders, but staying well up on the peloton behind. With a few laps to go I drifted off the front and put in a little dig with another rider Max Spedding  (VCUK), and we got pulled back after spending 2 and a bit laps on our own. I settled for the fact that my legs were now now cooked, and begining to cramp, so sat in for a few minutes, until it came to the last lap where I knew I woudn’t have my sprinting legs, but tried my best to set up a good sprint for my team mate Ollie Payton (Kuota Spinergy-GSG)  but he unfortuantely cramped up with just under 200 meters to go.

Photo Credit Ellen Isherwood 2015.

All in all very pleased with today’s effort considering the quality field, and the little expeirience of racing that I have with this being my 8th ever Road Race placing 27th out of 70 riders on a very tough and fast day I am pleased. Learning more and more every week by surrounding myself with top quality riders and jumping in at the deep end! Hopefully my hard work will soon begin to pay off.

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