Dave Hayward writes … Chris McNamara showed he had the stamina and the legs to out sprint his breakaway partners to win this years Regional Championship 2011.
Photo album by Dave Hayward (www.davehayward.com)….
Over 70 riders, 142km, four hills, with a nice cross wind lay ahead of the riders. Good Stamina with strong legs were in order for todays event. Jake Martin, Pendragon, headed off on a lone adventure after 2ks from the start. He survived 3 laps on his own until he was joined by 5 riders. At the bunch end of the race Ian Paine (London Dynamo) and Allan Ridler (Team Cycle Kingdom) were stirring things up with Darren Barclay (Artic Premier) and they bridged the gap to make it six riders up front. This was seen as a dangerous move forcing a massive chase by the others.
After a cloud burst of rain, the remainder of the bunch had the breakaway group back insight. The attacks started again for another lap until a group of 22 riders formed leaving the rest of the race in it’s wake. The circuit was starting to take it’s toll as at one point there was 4 separate groups. It wasn’t long before Alex Higham and Allan Ridler were trying to stir things up again. It wasn’t until Chris McNamara, Ian Pain, and Nick Hutchison counted a moved that they managed to gain a gap and slowly they slipped away. They held a lead of 40 seconds leaving Alex Higham to do the lion share of the chasing.
Working together, the three maintained a lead over the chasing group. With 4 or 5ks to go, it looked like their effort was doomed with the rest of the distance all up hill with the chasing group gaining on them, briefly popping into view in the distance. Through the last corner, the chase group was about 35 seconds behind. Were the three going to be caught on the line or would one of the three make a bid for glory on there own?
Ian was the first to show signs of fatigue, Nick was very poker faced behind his dark glasses and Chris was looking calm keeping his composure tapping through to do his turn on the front with Nick. They had enough of a gap to stay clear, Nick started the sprint but Chris found clean air to pass for the line.
“I’ve been wanting to win the regional’s for some time” says Chris of Corley Cycles/Cervelo. “I’ve always liked the event and always ride well. It was a tough course today and I new it was going to tough, so timing my effort and saving energy keep the legs loose was going to be important. My team is going to Belgium for some kermesses and I’m looking forward to that, plus we have a guest ride at the Halfords Tour series at Colchester.
Results
1 Chris McNamara. Team Corley Cervelo
2 Ian Paine. London Dynamo
3 Gary Dodd. La Fuga Sigma Sport.
4 Taylor Johnstone. Team de Ver
5 Allan Ridler. Team Cycle Kingdom
6 John Veness. Handsling Racing
7 Alex Higham. WyndyMilla
8 Anders Christenson. Team Cycle Kingdom
9 Rowan Dever. Pasta Montegrappa
10 Alex Ray. Pasta Montegrappa
11 Matthew Miles. In Gear RT
12 Dante Carpenter. Asfira RT
13 Paul Holdsworth. Houndslow & Dist:
14 David Kennett. GB Cycles UK
15 Martin O’Grady. Team Toachim
16 Drew Holmes. Progressive Cycle
17 Richard Prebble. Motorpoint Pro Cycling
18 Kevin Knox. Vicious Velo
19 David Seagar. Kingsnorth International
20 Luke Wallis. La Fuga Sigma Sport
3/4 Race
1 Phil Lenny. Active Cycles
2 Josh Lawless. Private
3 Jason Nind. Wigmore CC
4 Mark Foulds. Ad-Alta CC
5 Keith Walker. Wigmore CC
6 Anthony Buchan. Team de Vers
7 Darren Peachey. Addiscombe CC
8 Harold Evans. Private
9 Christian Rudolf. De Laune CC
10 Derek Wiles. Private.
