Hillingdon Inverse Points Grabber!

Dave Wade reports from the Hillingdon Inverse Points Grabber……….Cycling buddies Jordan Wade and Ryan Hasler wanted to race together in a final hoorah for 2013 before they take separate career paths, in Jordan’s case Swansea University. In order to do so Ryan has to get out of Cat 4 so off they went to Hillingdon to race in a promotion called Inverse RT points grabber. The weather was awful but the usual hardy riders turned up and braved the really wet and windy conditions.

In the E1/2/3 race (about 15 entrants) at the start two riders made a bolt for it and managed a lead of about 30 seconds before one of the riders dropped off the pace. The pack soon closed in and caught this rider and as they did so four riders including Jordan, made a break and started the task of reeling in the lone rider who was about 25 seconds up. Lap by lap the gap was closed and the with about 8 laps to go the lone rider was caught and passed. This group were now well ahead of the chasing pack and at the bell riders were eyeing each other up wondering who was going first. On the last bend they were all together and in the final sprint places were exchanged but it was Jordan who proved to be strongest and he pushed hard for the line grabbing his first E/1/2/3 victory.

In the Cat 4 race Ryan was looking to grab the ten points needed to get into Cat 3. He started to force the pace and after four laps had a gap of about 20 seconds but nobody from the pack wanted to go with him. With the weather being so bad Ryan had a difficult task in staying out in front on his own and it was not long before the pack caught him up. After being caught Ryan pushed again and this time six riders went with him forcing a break that would not be bridged. Lap after lap riders took turns with Ryan always at the front or second, Jordan screaming at Ryan from the side lines to stop doing all the work but together they stayed till the final sprint. Ryan’s lack of experience at this type of racing became evident at the sprint with two riders catching him out and bolting for the line. Ryan tried closing the gap and was catching up but the finishing line came too soon so he had to settle for third. One more race and he will be there no doubt.
Results
E/1/2/3
1. Jordan Wade VC St Raphael
2. Robert Orr Velo29-OTR-Vankru
3. Paul McGrath
4. James Leach Twickenham CC
5. Philip Holloway Southend Wheelers
6. Will Houghton Hillingdon Cycling Club
7. Stuart Harvey Ultimate Fitness
8. Andrew Wright High Wycombe Cycling Club
9. Paul Carr Club Corley Cycles
10. Andrew Stronge
11. James Butterworth Twickenham CC
12. Mario Manelfi Team ASL360
13. George Kirkin Twickenham CC

Women
1. Melissa Brand Pretorius Bikes
2. Anna Marie Hughes Prestige Velo Club
3. Jennifer Lake Club Corley Cycles
4. Susan Freeburn In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp

3rd Cat only
1. Jozef Metelka Zappi’s Cycling Club
2. Neil Wass TMG Horizon Cycling Team
3. Edmond Irwin
4. Barny Willard In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp
5. Simon Edwards-Parton Kingston Whls CC
6. James Di Rico High Wycombe Cycling Club
7. Angus Winter Twickenham CC

4th Cat only
1. James Blackburn Twickenham CC
2. James Bower
3. Ryan Hasler
4. Paul Moore Kingston Whls CC
5. Antonio Guenzler
6. Kenneth Ross Willesden Cycling Club
7. Massimo Saetta Kingston Whls CC
8. Dave Olinski G.S. Henley
9. Alex Tinsley Twickenham CC
10. Kevin Brooks Zappi’s Cycling Club





A good day racing in awful weather, that’s what cycling is all about isn’t it?