19th August- Hog Hill Opening. Redbridge Cycle Circuit, Ilford, Essex.
This is a new purpose built cycle circuit used for racing and training. Boris Johnson (Major of London) was there to open the circuit so there was lots of press and also Sky News. They filmed the race but only showed Boris riding his 1 lap before. Gutted.
It was a fantastic race over the 2km circuit in a 25 lap race. A field of 80 riders mixed with elite, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Category riders. As you can imagine, everybody wanted to win the first race so the pace was fast from the start. After 3 laps I moved to the front to get involved with the attacks, picked my moment and launched a big attack off the front. Only 1 rider came with me, Dan Pattern (PCA Cicloc Uno- Elite). We started working together straight away and started to stretch a huge lead. Called Hog Hill for a reason, there is a steep hill leading you to the finish line. Dan and I were both strong up the hill which helped us to extend that lead.
At the half way point we lapped the peloton, 5 laps later we lapped the group battling for 3rd!!! And then on the final lap we caught the peloton on the last lap!!!!! We battled for the line but Dan was stronger coming over the top of the hill to take the victory. Not to sound big headed, it was a great display of how to ride your bike, hahaha
From this gallant effort I made it into Cycling Weekly magazine. There was a double page article about the opening of the circuit and a photo of myself with the other podium finishers.

24th August- Lotto Olympia Interbike Road Race- Colchester, Essex.
Another good race. Poor weather conditions, but I'm used to the English summer now. I felt very strong all race. I missed the break and 6 got away, but the peloton managed to keep the gap down to 45seconds. With 15 miles to go we reeled them in. The last 5 miles saw the pace pick up and a lot of attacks. I tried to cover the attacks but again I missed the one that counted. 5 got away with 1 mile to go so I was in the chasing peloton and sprinting for 6th. A tyres width in it and I finished 7th a great sprint to finish.
 
25th August- Southern Crit- Hog Hill
Back at Hog Hill for another elite race and it was the best field of the season. This was the only Elite race in the South of England as the Tour of Britain was starting the following week. Lots of riders from the Premier Calendar who weren't selected for the Tour of Britain turned up with team cars, very professional. Attacks were coming left, right and centre and they never stopped. 4 started to break away and kept a small lead. The attacks kept coming and with the fierce wind, people were getting dropped fast. Soon the lead group were down to 2 guys and the chasing bunch was down to 15 from 45 starters. 5 laps to go and a nasty crash split them in two. I chased hard to bridge the gap later to see the others had been given a lap out to re-join! An odd ruling which I never knew existed. I tried to attack on the last lap, but they were on me and this had sapped my energy which left nothing for the uphill sprint finish. Final result, 11th. Not bad for the class of riders in the field.
 
The following weekend I headed over to Flanders in Belgium for the first time. Two national Elite races just outside of Ghent.
30th August- Gijzenzelle. 115 starters.
A short race for me as I punctured after 45 minutes of bouncing over the cobbles. It might have been a blessing in disguise as it was a fierce pace and only 12 people finished as the rest were dropped and pulled out of the race.
 
31st August- Schellebelle. 100 starters
A much nicer circuit with faster flowing corners, still over the cobbles but Saturdays race had lots of tight corners, narrow lanes and lots of sprinting out of all corners.
I was in the initial break away but got dropped and rejoined the peloton. The pace was fast and furious. A real eye opener to Belgium road racing! They don't try and beat you on tactics, they want to beat you on fitness. We never caught the breakaway of 30 riders and it was a super fast bunch sprint through the town. I went too early, a little too excited, and the pack was flying past me across the line, pushing me back to 46th. Not the best result but a great experience and lots of good points to take away for next season.
Belgium road racing is very different from the UK. Much faster and much more aggressive. You learn a huge amount and you bike handling skills improve every lap. I look forward to going back next season.
 
14th September- Ike Saul Memorial Road Race- Cambridge. *see attached news clipping*
A very strong field of Elite riders and as we rolled out, the attacks started. People were keen to get away. As one attack failed everybody slowed up, so I attacked and 6 riders came with me. First lap saw one puncture. Second lap saw the first victim on the climb. Third lap saw another 2 victims of the climb so we were down to 3. We managed to work well and create a gap of 2mintues 15 seconds. We were being chased by a group of 3 and on the last lap Jason White (JW Cycles) punctured out of the lead group, which made it hard for myself and Dan Krogen (PCA Ciclos Uno) to hold the pace to stay away. 3miles to go we got caught. I sat on the wheel and waited for the sprint finish, dug deep but my legs were screaming. A great race and I'm very happy to have stayed away for 74 miles and finished 4th. More much needed points to reach my 1st Cat licence.
 
21st September- Martin Newall Memorial Road Race- Oxfordshire
A funny race as the pace would speed up, slow down, back and forth. Lots of half hearted efforts to get away, but everybody was keen to chase people down. With 2 laps to go, 24 miles, we were still all together. There was a huge climb at the end of the lap making for a hill top finish and on the penultimate lap I attacked up the climb. Two riders came with me and I continued to push hard up all the rises to establish a good gap. 4 riders jumped across and joined us which made for a great group to stay away. I kept pushing hard to keep the pace high and to try and tire a few people out before the finish. Coming into the final climb we dropped 3 guys at the bottom and I sat waiting for the sprint to start. A Columbian made a huge sprint for the line and I tried to chase but couldn't match his pace to finish 4th. More uphill sprint training needed!!
I am now 34 points away from my 1st Cat licence with 2 races left. Its gonna be close.
 
28th September- Last Points Grabber- Whitewell, near Hitchen, Herts.
A race I was confident of doing well on. A course that suited my style but I punctured at the half way point. I did manage to change the tyre but I had lost over 10 minutes. There was no chance I was going to catch the race so no placing and no points. It’s all down to next week’s race.
 
5th October - Finsbury Park CC - Southminster Essex.
Nasty weather. Cold, raining, windy and lots of standing water.
A strong field as this is the last Elite road race of the season, so everybody is trying to score the points they need to move up or hold their licences. Gutting for me as my form as been good but I suffered from a nasty stomach bug on Friday and Saturday, which left me week for Sunday. I pushed as hard as I could and was in a god position at one point. Then I got dropped from the lead group of 5 back to the bunch. Then on the last lap my legs gave up and I managed to cling on for 18th place. Glad I went and tried but nobody like to do badly. I have also fallen short on points to reach my target of getting my 1st Cat licence.
 
A big thanks to everyone from Reflex for awesome products that have helped me through this season. Now the winter training starts in preparation for next cycle season.