Over the moon for Close friend Who Claims the win!

23hrs after loving pretty much every moment of the ART Wk6, @stephen_thecyclist was back trackside but this time to watch and support; team rider Simon S and Swindon Wheelers RT in action.

The last time I was personally here at CC, It was a miserable evening, early May. Wet, VERY windy and with a family holiday looming over my head all the factors left me pretty comfortable with being dropped and ultimately ok with a ‘DNF’ in my BC results listing. However; this wasn’t about me and as I drove to CC with my eldest son giggling and singing to the radio alongside me, the sun perched in the sky I felt confident of watching some really good racing!

We arrived early enough to catch riders getting ready and starting their pre race preparations – meeting up with Denis, Swindon Cycling Royalty, and Simon it was clear there was a buzz around the site and all who were to race.

Simon and I debriefed on the previous nights racing and I explained although I was down the list just how much I enjoyed it and where I think I can gain time and climb positions – he discussed his plans for the fast and hectic race that was about to be had and mentioned that close friend of ours, Myles, had instructed to him he was taking the top spot tonight in sight of his plans of gaining the points he needs to make it to ‘Cat up’ as a rider – so I headed over to have a quick chat and enable more positive vibes towards his already confident state.

The buzz was so apparent it caught my son, Sebastian, off guard who let all of the excitement of attending his Second Race get to him and fizzed out, leaving him shattered and in need of a nap… So I carried him trackside and we got set up ready as riders from all over had gathered and were about to head onto the course for the Cat 3/4 & E1, 2 Races.

2, 3 banks of riders. E1 & 2 up first. Whistle Blow – they are off. Cat 3/4’s rolled to the line, several lines of riders displaying the colours of their clubs respectively, easily over 45 riders waiting… Whistle Blow – they are off, clanging of shoes being clipped into pedals – gears being shifted. Here we go!

After several laps, easily pointing out League of Swindon Cycles rider Simon S – due to the cleverly designed kit, Denis and I questioned the where abouts of the focused Wheelers rider, we could see the rest of the team making good strides and efforts at the front of the peloton but struggled to locate Myles. All was well, he was patiently sat in the bunch, preserving and waiting for his time to pounce.

Not only pounce, but navigating his way through the pack and round a few riders in the last few metres Myles sprant to the line less than a wheels clearance of 2nd place – but none the less claiming the victory and top points to add to his BC collection. Simon crossed the line only a few seconds behind, we believe within the top 15 – easily clearing most of the field.

@stephen_thecyclist

Well done Myles on the win & Simon on another top ride back in the racing scene – on to the next one!