‘I raced “The Big Race” at Hillingdon RaceWay (also known as a “Points Grabber” within the racing world where fast guys turn up don’t do any work and the win!)
 
Anyways, the race started a little later than usual due to a crash that had to be cleared up; the race was only 25 laps long (which would last about 55 mins!) there would be an intermittent sprint on lap 12 (this is what I wanted to win!) It was a steady first 6 laps with a couple of attempts at break always which I helped pull one back…. I sat in the lead bunch of 12 (45 starters) and when the board came out that the sprint would be in 4 laps I took that as my chance to try and break away on my own! Only one other rider came with me but after complaining that I was going too strong into the wind down the straight he tapered off and I was on my own for 2 laps and took the sprint by 1/2 a lap! Feeling the effects of my solo effort I dropped back to the bunch and settled down again taking the chance to refuel and catch my breath and sitting mid pack to save myself from the wind.
 
As the 5 lap board came out a group of 8 broke away and I didn’t catch the wheel in time so decided to wait for the next break away which came in the form of me and another rider we bossed the group and got them working hard… Too hard for some! Dropping a few and catching the lead group I was back in the hunt! I was sitting 5th wheel but my effort from the intermittent sprint win was taking its toll now and I admit I was flagging! With 2 laps to go I was pretty fried and hanging on to the last wheel in 19th (we’d broken the others and had a 45 second gap)
 
Going into the last 500 meters I had a little left in me and waited for the last 200 meters (much like my training rides with Mr Yeoman) to make my move coming from up from 19th and sitting on the lead out trains last wheel and jumping from 12th to 8th at the line! I was pretty happy with that! And even happier with the prize money for the sprint!’

As raced and reported by Kevin Argent