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Circuit Road Racing
It's Race Night at Rockingham
It's Thursday night in early July at Rockingham Race circuit, the clouds have turned grey and the temperature has dropped a few degrees, but it didn't dampen the atmosphere for the cyclist. 50 riders took to the start line and with a quick briefing from the race marshal the riders set off round Rockingham. A quick start from the riders saw speeds reach 32mph, it was a tough battle for our Apache Brave Racing rider Steve Ingram to keep with the leading pack early on but, once in his flow Steve found his pace and settled in the middle of the pack.
After the first 6 miles the pack steadily averaged high 20 mph enabling
the pack to become smaller and more compact while dropping the weaker
riders out the back. This pace didn't cause Steve any concern as he used
his experience and knowledge to place himself within a good position
in the leading pack and conserving energy for the finish ahead.
With
each lap that went by weaker riders found the pace to much, even though
the speed had dropped to mid 20mph thanks to the skies opening up and
giving a few quick rain showers, but it was still to much for some
riders. Steve Ingram found the pace tough but still well within his
abilities and averaging over 300 Watts of power per lap still held good
position in the leading pack.
The final few laps were within sight now and many of the riders had started to battle for position, a few elbows and shoulder barges between riders had started to occur to help open up space. The leading pack of riders were now a compact group, the speed had increased as the final lap started. Riders were looking for any opening to make a break for the line, Steve moved to the outer edge of the group while still gaining the benefit of drafting from leading riders, he was just waiting for the right time. The final bend approached and a couple of riders touched wheels, within a split of a second several riders were down on the tarmac splitting the leading pack, the riders still on their bikes took their chance and sprinted for the line, Steve powered his bike hard and managed to overtake several riders to finish in an amazing 7th place out of over 50 riders and grab some valuable British Cycling points, his first of the season. Well done Steve
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