ORRL R4 – Banbury Star – We lead the league.

Banbury Star RR is one of the most notable races in the ORRL calendar, a popular course, Horley C114 circuit, with a renowned tough obstacle in the shape of Edge Hill which is climbed 4 times. An obstacle which presents as 1.3km climb featuring an average gradient of 8.4% with peaks of 15% in places. We head to the race sat third in the league and with our lead rider in Joe sat third in the rider standings.

The race was set up as a 234, allowing a bigger range of abilities meaning the likelihood of the race being split up. We had 4 racing; Joe – Matt – Mattia & Will.

We planned to keep Joe mindful of attacks and to follow without making attacks, it’s a long race and we wanted to play it conservatively. Matt & Mattia was to follow potential threatening gaps which they did really well – Mattia guided Joe and bridged him to a gap, on lap 2. This was Will’s first race back from injury so there was no role in place other than to get back within the wheels and get some hard miles in his legs. The team were supported by owner Stephen & Will’s dad at the feed zone at the top of the climb, with 2-3 successful hand overs of fluids and nutrition.

Joe finished really strong and in 27th overall. However; due to the nature of the riders competing and their non-league status.. this meant that he was 3rd in the ORRL riders to finish driving him up in GC standing to date, currently leading the League.

Mattia finished 44th, which is his best finish to date. He’s working really hard and competing with the cat 2 & 3’s remembering he’s still a C4 rider. Matt finished 58th and Will managed a strong ride but down the list in 66th.

Well done to the team, we’re are leading the way in the league which is epic for our first season as an affiliate team! Massive thank you to Banbury Star for a fantastic event!