Race Results

14/05/2012 - DERRICK WOODINGS' STEVE GUTTERIDGE MEMORIAL BLOG

Location :

Results :

Steve Gutteridge Memorial Road Race
Promoted by Liverpool Century Road Club
EFGH event (6 laps) 41miles. Weather bright sunny with a strong south westerly wind
It’s two years since my last outing on this course and organiser Martin Moore and his team put on a very well organised event, generously sponsored by Hazel Gutteridge and Peter Fawcett, I also add that the event was extremely well marshalled.
On the long drive up to Saighton, near Chester, Mike Allen and I as usual were discussing the possible outcome of the race. Mikes first words on picking me up were “ I’ve got to do something today as I’ve just received two or three bills to pay”. So I knew that he would be up for it today. Although Mick reckoned that Alan Kemp would take some beating on this uphill finish he was not unduly concerned as Alan is in the younger age category, but he still likes to win the race to satisfy his ego. It was good to meet Web-Master Jim Golden, Nev Ashman and my old track pursuit adversary Dave Sankey before the start.
From the off the large group set off at an incredible pace on the crosswind section down towards the bottom turn at Aldford, but after the left turn onto the Aldford road the wind was a block headwind even this didn’t limit the speed of the bunch. I knew then that the return up through the finish would be absolute hell and sure enough it was. Although after many minor attacks the group stayed intact. I just sat on at the rear trying to get my legs used to the much changing pace, as usual they don’t really respond until I’ve done a few miles. The main protagonists in the first few laps were, Alan Kemp of course, Alistair Cameron, Dave Hargreaves Allan Ramsey and Ken Corbett. Mick (Allen) was playing a waiting game but as soon as a small group formed up front he was on it immediately, several times I saw him flash past as he went across the gaps. But it was all to no avail as apart from shedding several riders throughout the race the bunch remained intact. On lap 5 just after the Aldford turn my legs felt really good so rather foolishly I tried a gamble and attacked hard, purely for trying out riding hard for three minutes to simulate track pursuit riding, and was surprised to get a good gap. I was hoping someone would come with me but as usual I was left to fry out in no-man’s land. I then decided to push on in TT mode but the old speed is rather lacking these days and although I passed the bell with a lap to go still clear I knew that the inevitable was about to happen, having seen so many suicide breaks get mopped up approaching the finish. Sure enough on the last section of the headwind leg A group of three came past with Alan Kemp on the back, not being able to raise my speed I had to wait for the rest to come by before some encouragement by John Ginley urged me to latch on. Now it was down to recovering and waiting for the inevitable sprint finish which was led out by Mick Allen who was not able to hold off Alan Kemp again. I finished at the back of this group just behind my main G cat rival Pete Ryalls who has obviously benefitted from some fast racing in Belgium recently. As an afterthought I checked my computer and the race average speed was over 23mph. no wonder my legs were protesting
Result: 1st E, Alan Kemp, 1st F, Mick Allen, 1st G, Pete Ryalls, 1st H, Dave Sankey.
I now officially announce that suicide breaks are off the menu.