Jersey and Portsmouth

25/5/11 Portsmouth, E/1/2: 3rd
Still getting to know some of the riders down at Portsmouth but was keen to let other people do most of the work this time rather than people letting me ride off on my own, get half a lap and then be gradually pulled back.  Let other people make the moves then jumped into a move which quickly gained a lap on the bunch.  Once a lap up, I had a bit more freedom to be aggressive and kept trying to jump away.  Eventually got in another move which again gained half a lap.  Was 4th wheel on last lap, front two jumped away and I hesitated expecting the guy in front to go with them as it wasn't that big an acceleration but he did absolutely nothing, I then kicked but it was too late and taking too high a line in the final sprint meant I almost caught the front two but came in 3rd.  Would have won with another 10metres but obviously that means nothing! Legs feeling strong, getting used to podium results now!

29/5/11 Rubis Jersey Town Crit, Invitational: -
Back down to ground: poor handling, poor starting position, legs not feeling great after coming off a rest week but should have done better.  Really want to move into doing more Crit racing over the next few years, need to sharpen up. Enough said.

30/5/11 Jersey Watersplash Road Race, E/1/2: 10th
After a drubbing last night, I had a lot to prove, especially as was racing for the Surrey League team who were supporting my travel and accomodation for the weekend.  The racing started off being fairly aggressive but with the mix of teams, not much was getting away.  A break of 8 did get away but it was the least likely break of the lot so I didn't bother jumping across.  The break went on to get a substantial lead due to Team UK Youth and Motorpoint marshalling the bunch.  I was keen to get away and so when a team Guernsey rider jumped on his own and rode off into the distance, I sneaked past Malcolm Elliott in the gutter and managed to bridge across.  We rode as a pair for about 40km and managed to stay away.  It was particularly refreshing to see that when the bunch came across the line, Magnus Backstedt, Tour de France stage and Paris-Roubaix winner, looked exhausted after apparently putting in some massive turns in the last few laps to try and catch us!

10th seems like not a great reward for beating Malcolm Elliott, Ben Luckwell, Magnus etc etc, but I was pleased with my ride on a hilly course.

Thanks very much for the support from Surrey League, Tim Bishop from South Downs Bikes and my Team Manager!

Next up is prep races for Smithfield Nocturne on Sat 11th June