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Report by Paul Butler, Road Race Secretary – Hillingdon Tuesday night crits 19th July 2011

Paul Butler achieved his best place ever on the raod last Tuesday with a fabulous 2nd place in the 3rd and 4ths race at Hillingdon thanks to a monster lead out from Rob Thatcher. Both riders were active during the race, getting in several breaks (they were both in the same break of 3 riders at one point) but inevitably it came down to a sprint. With 500m to go Rob and Paul jumped the field and only 2 other riders stayed with them. With 250m to go Rob’s work was done and Paul was left with clear tarmac to the line. The only floor in their plan was that one Dulwich rider (they get everywhere don’t they) overheard Paul and Rob discussing tactics and was glued to Paul’s wheel, jumping him with 175m to go. Still, a huge effort from Rob and a mighty fine 2nd place, proving the lead out train works in either order! Paul and Rob will be learning Japanese in order to discuss tactics in secret before their next race (as long as it’s not a Keirin).

Wednesday 29th June Ben rode the Bexley 10 on the brands hatch course in 21-55 in near perfect conditions which was a new pb on the course, his best previous time being 22.29. The day after he did a 21-56 on the East Peckham course which was very close to another pb but not quite!

Well it made a change to get to the start of an event and actually find there wasn’t much wind, only downside there was some light drizzle for the earlier end of the field. This resulted in some pretty rapid times with the first 49 riders all breaking the hour. Dave Twin was the first Sydenham rider off finishing with a 58.13 (37th) and for a change puncturing just after he crossed the finishing line. Second claim member Mark Newton managed a 55.12 (12th) even though he had problems with his gears. Bob Loader was happy with his 1.15.40 (94th) being a five minute improvement on the last 25 he rode. The overall winner was Russell Kober, Hainault RC in 51.14.

Report by Jack Gregorie

I was invited to take part in the IG Markets nocturne on saturday 11th June. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it because a few people were saying how technical the circuit was. I then just thought that I will only get to do something like this once so I might as well! In the end I really enjoyed my self. I was asked to do two challenges for the “IG Markets Team Challenge” as a guest of the IG Markets team, these were the sprint and the team relay. I don’t know the actual position I came in the sprint but im guessing it must have been 3rd or 4th judging from the other results and the final standings. Riding in a team of three people in the team relay was good fun. It was one lap flat out, get off the bike at the finish line and run the the pits (10 meters away from the line) to tag the next rider in. We won this event which placed us in third place overall. It was great going and standing on the podium with the other two teams (2nd and 1st). It was then great to see the pro race at the end of the night and I’m sure most of you are aware of Alex Dowsett and his win!

This event was moved from the Q25/8 due to road works. Oh joy another down on Romney Marsh for both Bob Loader and Dave Twin. This turned out to be yet another very windy one which made the going very tough. Both riders didn’t finish the event but for other reasons. Bob had a section of his hub flange break and the spokes come out. This resulted in a very out of true wheel badly rubbing on the brake blocks and after a hard effort to get to the final roundabout Bob turn right to the HQ rather than left towards the chequered flag. Dave was also unlucky managing to hit a small pothole at the 21 mile stage, resulting in front compression puncture. The event was won by Andy Miles of VC Elan in 55.06.

Rob Royston rode this event and finished with a 56.32 (36th) with the winning time coming from Kevin Tye in 49.57. We don’t know how Rob did on age standard basis, but his and the winners time prove what a fast course this can be in the right conditions.

Four Sydenham riders made their way down to Maresfield the other side of the Ashdown Forest to ride this event on a rather chilly morning for June. Steve Thurgood was the first member off and finished in a very respectable 1.00.15 (14th). Paul Delicata was next and continues to improve with another PB of 1.05.57 (30th), although he was caught by man of the moment Ben Wimpory who finished in 58.15 a PB by 5.05 minutes and taking 4th place overall. On top of this he picked up total prize money of £30. Dave Twin managed a 1.00.41 (18th). The overall winner was Iain Brogden, Eastbourne Rovers in 53.07.

The continuing strong winds and very overcast conditions was the order of the day down on Romney Marsh. Out of the three first claim Sydenham riders down to challenge for the Club’s singer Trophy, Steve Thurgood and Bob Loader did not start, leaving Dave Twin just having to finish to pick up the silverware. This however proved to be a very hard ride and Dave eventually finished with a 2.09.53 (13th). Second claim member Mark Newton recorded a 1.58.44 for 2nd place, but due to riding second claim did not pick up a medal. The overall winner was Kevin Tye, Datateam Allstars in 1.49.53.

Report by Road Race Secretary Paul Butler

It’s a “win win” situation for Sydenham! In a fantastic week for the club, both Rob Thatcher and Paul Butler scored their first wins of the season. On Tuesday 7th June at Hillingdon Rob dominated the sprint in the 3rd and 4ths race at Hillingdon. After a series of failed attacks by other riders throughout the evening the race came down to a bunch finish as it often does. On the final right hand bend Rob jumped the field just before anyone else had started their sprint and with his awesome power he opened quite a gap with about 350m to go. He was too strong for anyone to go with him and he held off the field for a brilliant first win.

The next night saw Paul secure his first win in the Devil at Herne Hill velodrome, riding most of the race from the front and then narrowly taking the sprint from the remaining 3 riders at the bell.

What a week!!

On 7th of June surrounded by Dulwich, Bigfoots, Dynamo’s etc, Pete Mahoney was again the sole representative for Sydenham Wheelers at the Crystal Palace summer series. This does not get much nearer home turf. Big bunches are now common with riders getting turned away once the numbers hit 100, which is probably not a bad rule for this circuit, so remember to get there early.

The races are now 32 laps for the big boys(E,1,2) with the 3 & 4 cats contesting over 28 laps (as the light has got better the races have got longer). The weather again was just right for a great evening of racing.

Mahoney’s start was not best but after 10 laps, he was near the front. A couple of breaks early on came to nothing but this set the pace for the whole race keeping the tempo high. Mahoney joined in with trying to get away with one big dig and a later dig that nearly sent him out the back after such an effort. All to no avail.

With the laps flying past Mahoney found himself in the wrong end of the field (again!) at the bell. The last lap is one long sprint. In a desperate attempt to rectify his poor position, Mahoney threw caution to the wind and made up places on the corners, hitting the up hill drag in a bunch that was already disintegrating. Trying to keep the distance to the leaders in reasonable check. All this effort for 11th place. Out of the points but his best placing of the 3 races ridden at Palace this season.

On the 4th of June, Mahoney was in action on the Fowlmead circuit near Deal. Being near the coast it’s open to the elements and this set for a hard day. A headwind greeted riders up the start and finish straight, which proved to be quite telling with the amount of failed breaks but finally three riders pulled away. It proved too difficult for one of the break riders who dropped back. No amount of shouting for riders to work together could form any real attempted to pull the break back and so the two out front sprinted for the win. After 60 mins plus 5 laps the sprint for 3rd proved too much for Mahoney who went backwards as the line came closer, finishing at the back of the bunch.

Matt lucas was three only club rider in this event which is the first in a series of three. It was a fantastic sunny evening for racing and this particular event is alway a well attended and friendly affair. Despite half the field being made up entirely of Brigton Mitre and Lewes Wanderers in turned out to be a good event with some attacking riding, the summary is as follows:

* Matt missed ‘The Move’ which went when the bunch slowed after the Prime on lap two, three riders got away.
* He did get in the chase group of about 10 which stayed away despit having a few ‘passengers’ in the form of team mates of the three up the road.
* The leading trio became two when one rider fell back to the chase group.
* Matt contested the sprint for third. Deadly his sprint is not, and the ‘unleashing’ has an effect more akin to throwing out an anchor, rolling in 8th overall.

Full result available HERE.

Fairly heavy rain and a strong breeze was what welcomed riders when they turned up for this event. There was a general lack of enthusiasm in the headquarters as riders got themselves ready. Of the 5 Sydenham riders Steve Thurgood was the first off and finished with a 1.51.27. Ed Rieu was next off and had the delights of Dave Twin starting 4 minutes behind him. Dave was only about 5 bike lengths behind Ed as they joined the short A24 section when his front tyre went bang. Ed apparently had a rubbing back wheel and due to the conditions gave up and just rode around to the finish. Both therefore being DNFs. Rob Royston did the best ride finishing with a 1.46.14 and Pete Mahoney came in with a 1.51.41. The overall event was won by Steve Dennis East Grinstead CC in 1.35.57.

Second claim member Mark Newton was one of only 7 riders to get under two hours in this windy day down at Rye. Vicious headwinds blunted the speed on the way out with Mark reportedly struggling to get above 18mph….the way back was a different story with 33mph+ speeds through Camber on the return. The event was won by Kevin Tye – Datateam Allstars in 1:49:03.

It was only last week we were relishing in top spot on the Inter-Club leader board (we came bottom last year if you recall) and what a difference a week makes. A combination of a v.poor turnout from the Sydenham, an excellent turn out for both GS Avanti and 7Oaks Tri and some none to shabby times from our multi-sport friends (5 riders in top 10) has ended our brief spell at the top. Lets get a good turnout this week at Cudham and make sure we make this seasons competition a good one. Current standings as follow:

7 Oaks Tri = 110
Sydenham = 93
GS Avanti = 73

Ben Wimpory rode this evening event on the 18th May in less than perfect conditions. Despite a strong headwind on the way-out and a slippery surface sue to rain he still clocked a very impressive 22:34.

Yet another bright morning for a time trial, the only problem was the rising wind coming from the North West which mad for a hard ride. Paul Delicata was the first of the two Sydenham riders off. Unfortunately he acted as a carrot for 2nd claim member Mark Newton off a minute afterwards and Dave Twin a further 2minutes behind. Paul was very happy though as he did a personal best of 1.06.31. Dave finished with a 1.01.05 and Mark a 58.25. The overall winner was Steve Dennis, East Grinstead CC with 52.26.

Following the cancellation of last weeks event the first actual Evening TT of 2011 got a good attendance of 34. Notable performances from Ben, winning the event with time to spare and also Steve who knocked best part of a minute of his PB for the course. To polish off a good evening, and whilst its still early days, Sydenham appear to have got the jump on the other clubs in the Interclub with current points standing as follows:

Sydenham – 78
7 Oaks Tri – 60
GS Avanti – 46

Full result listing available via the ‘Events’ page.

Report by Paul Butler, Road Race Secretary.

With a blistering sprint finish last Tuesday evening (3rd May), Rob Thatcher took his best finish so far to finish 2nd in the 3rd/4th Cats race at Hillingdon. It really was a race of 2 halves, ending in a bunch sprint but starting with a series of attacks and Paul Butler finding himself in all the breaks. Unluckily for Paul, just when it was looking like one would stay away it all came together with about 6 laps to go. Not feeling too well by this point (!) Paul then pulled out but Rob sat sensibly in the bunch before launching his “soon to become trademark” kick to a fantastic 2nd place. Well done Rob and some TV air time for the club throughout the race!

Only the barest of essential info available on this one……Steve Thurgood rode this event on the Q25/8 and did a 1.00.55. Pete Tadros In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp won in 51.52.