Cherry Valley trio fight hard to get result

City RC (Hull) RR - 18/06/2006 - near Walkington

Andy’s race diary

Following a forced month without racing, and three full weeks without touching the bike, I returned to action on Sunday without any objectives other than doing what I could to help Richard and Gareth’s pursuit of victory.

As a team we were by far the most active with attacks being launched one after the other in an effort to split up the negative field.

Most attacks were readily chased down by the bunch which would then sit-up and not be willing to contribute further.

A couple of laps into the race, Gareth and Richard managed to escape with a lone rider from Cottingham Coureurs, the gap held for quite a while however it was going to be difficult for three riders to stay away – even with Gareth’s specialist time trialling ability. Whilst blocking and closing gaps at the front of the bunch, I tried to allow one or two riders to bridge the gap, however the bunch soon reeled the breakaway in.

After numerous more attempts to break up the field, it was becoming clear that the race would end in a sprint. However, three riders managed to get clear on the last lap – a move which was missed by the Cherry Valley trio. More riders went clear, but Gareth drove the bunch forward and pulled them back.

Feeling rather lacking of form, I tried in vain to repay Gareth for towing the bunch along and sprinted – gaining 6th place. Quite pleasing to come back and score some points, but disappointing that one of us hadn’t finished much higher.

On the plus Side both Richard and Gareth looked to be riding very strongly and I was pleased simply to finish.

Gareths race diary..

‘I felt really weak on Sunday but I was looking forward to racing once again with my team mates.

The race started in its usual flurry of attacks before I went off on one and was quickly joined by Richard and another lad from Cottingham Couriers. We enjoyed some freedom for nearly 2 laps before we were caught but I knew I had bad legs and I would never have lasted. Richard, however was looking strong whilst Andy was covering most of the moves off the front.

Andy was looking good despite having nearly 2 months off his bike and we managed to cover every move that went away by getting once of us in it but we just weren’t strong enough on the day to make a good break.

As the race came to a close, I had to get my head in gear and got back to the front and chased down a group of 6 who were clear but couldn’t quite catch the 3 escapees before the line so I stayed at the front for the last 3 miles and tried to lead out the sprint for Andy and Richard.

Andy got up there with 3rd in the sprint - nice result for the team in the end and great comeback ride by Andy’.