GWR Team

After Sam’s disappointment of an untimely puncture the week before, he was out to make amends. Racing at the Mountbatten circuit, this was to be Sam’s first outing on the track since 2008, where he racked up a win and a string of top five placings last summer. The multiple circuit race, was held over 52kms of the short 1.5km circuit and consisted of just over one hour of fast and furious racing. After an attacking race, Sam finished 5th in a bunch sprint.

Nic Tilling decided to test his form in the final round of the Upavon winter series. The race was held in dry and windy conditions for the 30 mile closed circuit race. The race was animated by many attacks, with a group going clear mid race, with Nic making the move. With 10 miles to go Nic managed to get in to the lead group of four. On the penultimate lap the group split into two groups of two. Nic finished the race 4^th, with his form looking good for Sundays Severn bridge road race.

Please click the following link Upavon race for the BCF report and photos.

The GWR Team, had Sam Redding and new signing for 2009, David Sinclair, in the opening road race of the season, the Perfs Pedal road race. Having picked up their team bikes just the day before both Sam and David had a good showing in the race. Animated with attacks from lone riders every lap of the 43 mile race, nothing stuck until the last lap where the eventual winner escaped to solo in to the finish. In the bunch sprint for second place David placed a fine 6^th. Sam had bad luck and punctured on the last lap but managed to rejoin the main group and finish the race in 57th place.

Please click the following link Perfs pedal race for the BCF report and photos.

While three members of the GWR Team were away training in Spain, Sam entered the circuit race at MOD Chertsey. This was the Surrey Lleagues first closed circuit race of 2009. The race was run under handicapped rules which saw three groups of riders start with three increasing time gaps.
Sam started in the scratch group which had to make up a 5 minute gap to the first group. The gap was closed after a few laps of the 48 mile race. Once the juncture was made, the attacks to win the race began. Sam made his move with three other riders going clear into the final laps. Heading to the last lap, 7 riders bridged across to form a leading group of 10, which lead to a sprint finish. After 1hour and 50 minutes in the saddle Sam was only 1 bike length away from his, and the teams first win of 2009, as he crossed the line in 4th Place.