Penultimate race at Hillingdon. Amazingly following week of blizzard race was on and course was practically snow/ice free. Nice blue skies and sun, though not too warming and had to wrap up tight. Also excuse to wear snazzy and totally OTT NRC ski cap, which did a good job of keeping my ears warm.
I felt good in the morning, a little bit too good in fact. I corrected last weeks mistake and stayed near the front this time, but was a little too eager and tried to make/get into too many moves. As a result once again first half of race had relatively high numbers. First half was 290W/314NW.
Culminated at 20 mins when I made a break for a mid race prime with lap to go. Couldn't really sustain power for 2 mins needed and got caught. Second half of race I eased back and made a point of trying to follow someone who I thought had a good sprint. Still once final 5 laps signalled a break of a couple of riders got slightly away. I took a bit of risk and snuck through a gap that was almost too small and joined them. Unfortunately same story, guy at lead didn't know how to ride in break and just tried to power on. By time got halfway organised we were pretty much caught.
So I went back to plan B and concentrated on getting good run into the finish. Worked fine, plenty of room and avoided trouble. At the back on approach (see above) but overtook quite a few on run in (and not overtaken by anyone) to get another 7th. So another 3 points and just two more to make it to target of 3rd cat. Power for sprint pretty weedy, max 685W, would be interesting to see what I could do with a completely clear run.
Lessons learned:
- Save effort for second half of race.
- If a prime lap take it easy until its passed. Maybe ideal time to attack just after.
- Catching break of two may be better to go past rather than join back.
- Get more to front on final lap of sprint and really give it the max.
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