By Paul.
“This is where you leave it all out there” Steve said to Rich B moments before his 10km scratch race which played out at 31.5 mph!!!
Steve, Rich B and I have just cone back from watching Rich compete in the points and scratch race in the 40-44 age group at the World Track Champs.
It looked mental!!
Here we are starting the journey Thursday:
Upon arrival at the Manchester velodrome this message greets you and, I have to say, it is a very special feeling:
They tell me that being track centre was a lot less tiring than being on the track. It certainly looks that way!!:
Living in England and a holder of a German passport here is Rich mingling with his countrymen. Yep, we’re confused too!!:
The racing
Rich B was riding the scratch on Friday and the points on Saturday and you could have been forgiven for wondering if you were at the ‘real’ Worlds as the speed was blistering and the attendance from so many nationalities made it a very special weekend for all of us. These old folk are fit and fast and it almost made me want to dust off my track bike (then I saw the kit they were riding and realised I didn’t have £15k for an upgrade!!).
I am so pleased that we were privileged enough to see this as it certainly inspired me to continue my quest for a champion’s jersey on the road.
Steve and I even snuck in a couple of cheeky hours’ riding in the Peak District and don’t tell him I said this but he might have had to unclip on one of the climbs as it was so steep and long (think Catford Hill Climb x 4)!
It’s Saturday night, the games are over, we are shattered (!) and it’s time for a beer (or three!):
How did he do? You’ll have to ask Rich that!! I’ve written his report I’m not his bloody Soigneur too you know!!
PB
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