Chris Helwig
04-03-2007, 10:44 PM
In a meteoroligic miracle the rain held off for a full 40 laps of the Exeter Road Crit. A big turnout of around 35 riders for the first race, especially considering the ominous weather.
The pace was pretty quick off the start after two neutral laps while a truck cleared off the course. Westhaven was active immediately and they would continue to send riders up the road all night. Hopefully some people can add to my report, I wasn't feeling great and spent most of the night mid pack. There were a lot of moves off the front, all including multiple Westhaven Riders. Carlos was the most active and looked very strong. The longest move of the night included Carlos, Julio and two other riders. They were out of sight for a while and stayed away for a good 8-10 laps. Mike Forsdike, Joe Torchia, Kees, Fred Brewer and Carlos' cousin Julio were all active as was a strong Tom Fernandez and Craig Vedova. A lot of the time it was Tom, Craig and Marty Mann doing a lot of chasing Westhaven driven moves. Ivan was also very strong and in several moves. With 10 to go it was all together and it seemed like it might be a bunch gallop. Paul Dean went off the front with about 6 to go and the other Julio joined him. The dangled in front but were kept pretty close. Marty Mann did a long pull followed by first year senior Colin McEacheran. The pace was fast and near the last lap the break was caught. Vedova kept the pace high with Forsdike on his wheel and I was on Mike's wheel. I jumped into the last corner and managed to hold off for the win. Tony came in second with Marty Mann a well deserved 3rd, Kees in 4th and Tom Fernandez in 5th.
A good safe first race. Next week the race moves to the Scotland rollers where a winning break is more likely.
The pace was pretty quick off the start after two neutral laps while a truck cleared off the course. Westhaven was active immediately and they would continue to send riders up the road all night. Hopefully some people can add to my report, I wasn't feeling great and spent most of the night mid pack. There were a lot of moves off the front, all including multiple Westhaven Riders. Carlos was the most active and looked very strong. The longest move of the night included Carlos, Julio and two other riders. They were out of sight for a while and stayed away for a good 8-10 laps. Mike Forsdike, Joe Torchia, Kees, Fred Brewer and Carlos' cousin Julio were all active as was a strong Tom Fernandez and Craig Vedova. A lot of the time it was Tom, Craig and Marty Mann doing a lot of chasing Westhaven driven moves. Ivan was also very strong and in several moves. With 10 to go it was all together and it seemed like it might be a bunch gallop. Paul Dean went off the front with about 6 to go and the other Julio joined him. The dangled in front but were kept pretty close. Marty Mann did a long pull followed by first year senior Colin McEacheran. The pace was fast and near the last lap the break was caught. Vedova kept the pace high with Forsdike on his wheel and I was on Mike's wheel. I jumped into the last corner and managed to hold off for the win. Tony came in second with Marty Mann a well deserved 3rd, Kees in 4th and Tom Fernandez in 5th.
A good safe first race. Next week the race moves to the Scotland rollers where a winning break is more likely.