Paul and Steve get close at the National Circuit Championships

TLI  National Circuit Championships: 14th May Oulton Park

Paul Basson writes:

Race day, but with a difference. Its not often you get to race on an established motor racing circuit that you see on TV, so this race was one both myself and Steve Whittington were looking forward to.

The weather was good with a bit of wind blowing round the circuit ,which could be seen rippling the flags and pennants dotted round the track. Everything looked polished and pristine at the modern facilities and race stands, with a variety of promotional cycling brands strategically placed and cyclists zipping by warming up ready for their races.( Whilst warming up I even said hello to one of the cycling heroes from my youth: Steve ‘The Pocket Rocket ‘ Joughin – showing my age here)

Myself and Steve Whittington were off at 2:30pm in the category A race. Steve, looking cool in his shades at the sign on area, pulled out his race licence only to find it was his 2015 one, but with a few winks and smiles he charmed the ladies into allowing him to start! My name was not on the start sheet, but that was quickly sorted out, so we were both cleared to race! Phew, disaster averted (turns out they had entered me into the previous race!)

Steve elected to go full skin suit for the race ( no messing about ) and was well up for the win with a game plan we had discussed to go for, and we duly set about warming up on the rollers and then doing a few laps adjacent to the circuit.

Seeing two guys being put into ambulances with broken collarbones from a finish line crash didn’t phase us in the warm up, but Steve detecting a slightly loose headset on his bike required a quick zip back to his car to adjust before the race start.

The going was steady from the off and built up to a quick pace with a few attacks going early on and staying out for a lap or so before being reeled in. We both kept near the front of the bunch without putting our noses in the wind and moved easily around the bunch (old Centreville race nous never leaves you).

The race was 1 hour plus 5 laps, and with 3 laps to go the pace really hotted up with riders chancing their arm. With a lap to go a strong attack went on the right which I should have gone with but hesitated. Steve was third from the front and went with another strong attack which  should have stuck and been the race winning move but not quite. Entering the fast downhill and in the last corner Steve was in second position but having burned his matches a bit with the previous attack didn’t have the legs to take the win and we both finished in the upper part of the bunch in the sprint finish.

A good afternoon’s racing and with some course knowledge stored away maybe – just maybe – a Centreville win next year!

Paul

Why not come and race or ride for fitness with us? Hope to see you: contact Centreville