TLI Stone Wheelers RR, Race 1, Under 50s/Race 2, 50+ - Sunday 10 Apr 2011

There was a short lived period of excitement which during we planned the race and how exactly we would win. Sean and Joe would attack from the gun with Me, Tim and Danny following any breaks and keeping at least one of us fresh as possible for a sprint.

As we all know things never work out that way. Sean attacked on his own and nobody jumped to join him, then Joe attacked with the same effect, ultimately dropping to the rear of the bunch and getting hit in the hand by a flying bike to add to his troubles. This effectively knocked Joe out of the race.

The course itself is challenging with 2 long drags making up the finish line and then another drag and fast descent not long after. 2 laps in and Tim got dropped as did quite a few riders as the non stop slow/fast racing took its toll. Finally a break of 5 got away which we duly missed followed later by another 4. This then led to repeated attempts to slow the field by team mates of those in the break and the remaining contenders trying to speed it up. In the end the break just stayed away and Paul Bethell won the race. Danny jumped the bunch before the final ascent and stayed away to take 9th with old Century member Dan Whelan (Maxgear) taking 10th. 

Martin Moore was the only other member who raced in the 2nd group and was finally detached from the race in the final stretch to the finish. Keith Jones won that race which might explain why we passed quite a dropped few riders on the run in.

All in all not a day of glory for the Century but at least we learned that out minds are willing but our bodies aren't.



Results from TLI websiteSwynnerton Circuit, 55 miles, 5 laps

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1	Paul Bethell	M2	Team Elite
2	Matt Jones	M2	Ribble
3	Simon Bridge	A	Leigh Premier
4	Richard Barnett	A	Stone Wheelers
5	Jason Meyer	M2	Stourbridge Velo
6	Andrew Udall	SNR	Mammoth Lifestyle
7	Andrew Prince	M2	Unnatached
8	James Notley	M1	Planet X
9	Daniel Stevens	ESP	Liverpool Century
10	Dan Whelan	JNR	Maxgear RT
11	Wayne Lacey	A	Stone whs
12	Unidentified Rider
13	Ian Holmes	B	Seamons CC
14	Keith Jones	M2	Birkenhead North End
15	Chris Quinn	M2	Macclesfield Wheelers

RACE 2 Swynnerton Circuit, 44 miles, 4 laps
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1	Keith Jones	C	Deeside Olympic - Veeboard
2	Gordon Wallace	C	Deeside Olympic - Veeboard
3	Steve Horsey	D	Whitfield RT
4	Roger Gardner	D	Liverpool Mercury - Dolan
5	Gwynn Sage	C	Newport CC
6	Nigel Harrop	E	Seamons CC
7	Trevor Horton	F	Warrington RC - Rondelli
8	Graham Weigh	E	Deeside Olympic - Veeboard
9	Gordon Smith	E	New Brighton CC