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Rutland - Melton Cicle Classic

April 27th, 2010 - Posted by Ross - RKC Race Team

The Cicle Classic is the only UCI ranked single day road race in the UK and, because of the sections of dirt roads and gravel tracks that characterize the race, one of my favourite races of the year. This year, the race was lengthened by 10K to make it 170K. Quite a long way for your second race of the year! All the top UK teams were present, as well as a number of foreign teams, so the scene was set for some top quality race action.

To give you the whole story behind the race, I should probably re-wind a week or so, to the point where we discovered a crack in the frame of my race bike. Finding a crack in a bike is never a good thing, but 9 days before the biggest road race of my year is definitely less than ideal! Unfortunately we were unable to get a replacement frame in time for the race, so the night before I was busy setting up Dad’s Trek Madone for the race. All this meant I ended up sat on the start line on a bike, about to ride 170K, that I had not yet ridden 1K on. I was somewhat nervous…

After making the break last year, and getting caught with about 20K to go and not having much left in the legs, my plan was to hide away for the first 2 laps of Rutland Water, then stay up front as the race hit the narrow roads, then stay there until the finish. Well, for as long as possible… The plan was working well, a break of 15 riders got away after about 15 miles, but as we entered the narrow roads, they were still not too far in front. I was staying up near the front and making sure I was alert to go with any dangerous looking moves, when I got a front wheel puncture. Because of the narrow roads, the cars were miles behind the race. After 100 or so riders had passed me, the neutral service car reached me, I got a wheel and was off again. After a frantic 10K chase I just made it back to the main group (with the break still not far up the road) before Somerberg off road sector. I quickly got myself towards the front of the group, and managed to stay in the front over the off road section. Unfortunately, as we hit the tarmac again, I had a flat back tyre. Luckily, there was a wheel pit at the side of the road and I was able to quickly grab a wheel and set off, again… After about 5mins, I was back amongst the cars, nearly up to the group again, when going round a right hand bend, I was hit by one of the team cars, and as I fell, the car ran over my front wheel, breaking the rim and bending the wheel. The following motorbike only had spare back wheels, so that was race over. Not a great way to end the race, especially as my legs were feeling good.

I will be back next year to try again though, and have a few races coming up to use the good form at!

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