5th at Milton Keynes

Well, driving to Milton Keynes I was still tired and not feeling up to racing, although after leaving work early I though I could not get away with blagging a story afterward, but it was very tempting.

The start was very different, full circuit to start with, lower loop in an anti-clockwise direction, which meant the climb was not as steep (or did not feel it) but the first corner from the down hill section was interesting (more on that later). Lining us up the usual occured at first with the CAT1+2 at the front and then the CAT3+4 behind. What happened next was they asked all those who did not have a top 10 finish to move to the front out of the CAT3+4 group and then set them off first. About 0 seconds later a CAT1+2 came through on the grass shouting he had to catch up, which was highly amusing to all of us as it was probably about 60 seconds later he would hvae realised what happened !

Next the CAT1+2's went off and then us, although it seemed quite a long while since the first bunch set off (3/4 of a lap estimate from the guy starting us off). This gave the pace a bit of a kick from the start and the chase was on, which was not too bad and I held a position around 10th for the first few laps before having a pull on the front for a lap a rest and then another go at the front before moving back into the pack.

About 25-35min in we ought the front 34 group, at which point a small goup broke off the front at some pace and I though thy may stay out, but I was boxed in and about 15 paces back, so I had to sit in and then move up. This is the point where it became a bit more confusing as another group must have split off the front, which I chased and joined, which made 5 of us. I thought we were the 5 at the front at the time and did not know another 4 were still in front.

The next few laps we worked together and dopped one off, and then a few laps later another dropped, and then another, which then left myself and 103, with somewhere between 10 and 20 minues to go.. Thinking we were off the front and in the lead I pressed on and we both worked together and I made sure I kept the other guy on board to help me and help him, as a solo it may have been good for the ego but I would not have lasted (lesson from the previous week).

We cought one 34 bunch and passed them and then came across another 34/12 mixed bunch, which we passed and then the pair of us worked at the front. Comming into the last laps I was getting close to being worked into the ground and a little annoyed that we were towing them along, which in a way helped as I pressed on more at certain points to try and drop them as well !

Onto the last lap it was a joy and fortunately I did not sit up and punch the air as I would have looked a right plonker ! The final result was 5th and a hard earned 5 points with 103 comming in 6th behind me.

Race overall averaged 345W with an NP of 381W in 1hr 9min 22sec. My HR average was 163 with a speed of 40kph and 367m of climbing.

The break lasted around 21min (I think) with an average power of 380W, NP406W, 174bpm avg at 100rpm.

Peak 60min (343 watts): Work: 1236 kJ
TSS: 116.7 (intensity factor 1.08)
Norm Power: 378 VI: 1.1
Distance: 39.785 km - Elevation Gain: 320 m
Power: 0 1024 343 watts
Heart rate: 133 184 162 bpm
Cadence: 44 120 95 rpm
Speed: 28.6 52.9 39.8 kph

Now for some much needed cerials and sleep !