Captain Shackleton’s men achieved mastery of electronic communication across all known platforms, the outcome was the Militias largest showing in the now familiar theatre of war that is Blackstone edge.
Team Centreville, Szymanski, Whitehead & Shackleton was supported by Roe, Grogan, Taylor, Basson & Holmes. Major Nigel Bishop took up command position at the finish supported by Mandy Bishop.
First off was the Militias most seasoned rider, Dave Grogan if there is one rider who is a master of tactics its Dave and he had fully analysed, wind speed and direction and had even estimated his finish time and probably how he was going to spend his prize money too! 11:02.4
Holmes due to a headwind chose lower gearing and higher revs, while the pain was less so was speed 12:19.5
Next Off was Aaron Roe, over the past 12 months Aaron has taken Eddy Merckx’s advice, to ride, rather than to buy upgrades and on this occasion had been loaned superior kit for his assault. He too had carefully analysed his competition and was dreaming of a prize! 10:25.3
Daniel Shackleton was next, in many ways as third man the weight of responsibility fell greatest on his shoulders. He impressively punched through the air at the finish, could his excess energy have been wasted ? 09:55.3
Jon Taylor was next, Jon played to the crowd as he approached the finish 11:18.4, in comparison Paul Basson used stealth as his strategy 11:31.5
Louis Szymanski came through next proving that it was his quality that would shine through and win the event, no wasted energy at the finish and no playing to the crowd, simply class.08:18.0
Ben Whitehead was last through, no one could ever accuse Ben of not putting the effort in, you could clearly see Ben accelerating as he came round the last bend to make an all out effort for the line. “BOOM!” 09:43.6
So in Summary
1st Louis Szymanski ABC Centreville 08:18.0
2nd Chris Smith Condor Road Club 09:04.7
3rd Peter Greenwood Team Swift 09:21.1
1st V40 Ben Whitehead ABC Centreville 09:43.6
1st V60 Dave Grogan ABC Centreville 11:02.4
1st Juvenile Francis Woodcock Bury Clarion 09:33.0
Team prize
Louis Szymanski 08:18.0
Ben Whitehead 09:43.6
Dan Shackleton 09:55.3
Many-thanks to Matt Gott and West Pennine for putting on such a great event.
The next skirmish is Sunday 9th October on The Ramsbottom Rake the Hosts Lancashire Road Club.
As always Nick, a great write up. Cheers, Dan
Thanks Danny good luck on Sunday.
Great to see so many ABC riders competing after many years of me and Dave Lowe with occasionally a few other faces!
great to be racing again with the club Dave
Dave thanks for keeping the club going !