It’s the local. British Cycling South RRL comes to the area, or as close as it could, South Cerney is the setting for R3 being hosted by Performance Cycles – who last organised the race as part of what was the Cotswold Race League – which no longer exists. The race is a Kermesse flying through the village, onto the fast ‘Spine road‘ and then turning on to the old Cricklade road which runs adjason to the A419 and then the final left back to the top of the South Cerney village.

12 laps of the 7.5km would play a scenic host for the riders coming from all of the South of the UK for the BC & BCS points. The team lining up to support BCS Lead Olly, was Joe (ORRL Lead), Mattia, Mark & Myles. Supported on the day by Lou, Simon & Team owner Stephen.

The race organisers had created a real ‘Pro event feel’ with barriers and a purpose finish line within the village centre, Camera crew both static and mounted onto a motorbike capturing all of the racing through out the event along with a commentator who was live streaming to Youtube. We had made plans before the race; to get Olly into the break, keep the pointy end of the race spicy and fast. Straight from the flag drop – Joe kept to his word and sent the very first attack on the road out from the village on the way to the spine road and before the first left hand corner. Featured nicely for a few minutes live on TV (Youtube) which was well received by our sponsors.

Along with attacks from Reflex, TAAP-Kalas & ourselves the race was certainly a spectacle. But mainly by TAAP rider Eliot Colyer, who attacked and managed to gain up to a 45s gap from the peloton who sent waves of attacks of riders trying to bridge. Unfortunately for the lead rider, the race was neutralised due to a crash, Joe along with another rider was working to bridge and down by 15s – with Olly in a group of around 4 riders a further 10s behind the chasers. After the race restarted the leader had his gap given back but the chasers didn’t seem to. Clearly the stoppage affected the whole race with the pace on the front dropping and the gap shortening. A rider from Bath CC, Will Duffy, bridged at the right moment and instead of attacking the strong TAAP rider, he spurred the tiring leader on and they worked together to get to the finish line. Will had the energy to launch an attack just before the sprint zone and took the win.

Olly had a lead out from Mattia who cleared the way and dropping off enabling Olly to take 21st, Mattia rolled over for 26th, Joe after his heroics through the majority of the race pedalled in the peloton safely preserving and taking caution not to get injured with 33rd.

Myles & Mark DNF.

Pictures captured by Peloton Pix, Jeremy Allen and League Supporters.