Perfect racing conditions greeted the riders, spectators and organisers for the second round of the Bath CC Mid-Summer Odd down series.

3^rd and 4^th Category Race

37 riders took to the start line of the first race of the evening, with series leader Charlie McFadzean and Oliver Brand both gaining their second category license last week, by the end of the night there was going to be another leader of the series competition.

The importance of the intermediate sprint and points in the break made the start of the race even more aggressive than normal.  On Lap 1 William Scaplehorn, Angus Collard, Tom Heathcote, Huw Cressey-Rodgers and Finn Mansfield tried to break clear and had a small gap that was quickly closed.

Lap 2 it was the turn of Finn Mansfield, Jack Beveridge, Steven Whitehurst and Andrew Henderson, yet again this was quickly shut down and no points were scored.

Lap 3 Caleb Moon was just ahead of Jack Beveridge, Henry Bond, Michael Edwards, Danny Puig Nieves and Luke Nolan, but once again the Commissaires did not declare an official break.

Lap 4 Caleb Moon was still out front with Henry Bond and Milo Giradet chasing hard, 3 seconds later were Adrian Warren, Michael Edwards, Luke Nolan and Jack Beveridge – would this be the final move that went away.

Finally on lap 5 the trio of Caleb, Heny and Milo were away with a 9 second gap over group 2 and the first combativity points were scored.  Two laps later Henry took the prime from Milo and Caleb.  Finn Mansfield took the final points winning the sprint from Group 2 who then comprised of Steven Whitehurst, Luke Nolan, Jack Beveridge and Tom Wall

Over the next few laps the trio out front extended their lead and by lap 11 had a 44 second lead over the  2^nd group on the road of 6 riders.  There was constant movement between the 2^nd and 3^rd groups on the road but no-one could get close to the trio out front who were working well together.

On lap 19 with 4 to go Caleb attacked his compatriots and got a few second lead that he held for two laps.  It didn’t get him the win, but he did pick up a few combativity points that may prove vital in the series standings.

With a lap to go the trio was back together fighting it out for the podium spots and the next group of 8 for 4^th to 11^th.

Caleb was the strongest of the three and took the win from Milo in 2^nd and Henry in 3^rd Ben Hale won the strung out sprint for 4^th from Simon in 5^th.  Michael Edwards was the unlucky rider from the chasing group who finished 11^th.   The rest of the riders were in two further groups.

Congratulations to Jen Lemen of PDQ Cycle Coaching Property Elite was the best placed female rider who had been riding in a group with Paul Wilkinson, William Scaplehorn, Paul Walsingham and Tony Overington all evening.

It was all change at the top of the series points with Milo’s Bonus points this week to add to his win and 2^nd places giving him 96 points and the lead.  Henry’s consistency over the two rounds with 3^rd and 4^th place but also lots of bonus points means he is in 2^nd overall on 95 points.  Caleb Moon was the big mover on the night, moving from 7^th to 3^rd as he picked up the win and the most combativity points on the night.  Simon Ker dropped from 3^rd to 4^th and Steven Whitehurst moved from 8^th to 6^th.

Full results at

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQWciqu9Ke55d0dKRCjhrvQ2W6fPCMzSgoamVJkxq-osSfKVlZhgiYlJ-MeXzVoxBy0A5M6YxyjzDIg/pubhtml

Elite, 1^st and 2^nd Cat Race

An incredibly strong E12 field took to the start line.  Oscar Hutchings returning from racing in Martinique and Tom Williams added to the strength of the field and our 6 1^st Category riders including Ashley, George, Jake and Luke were all marked men.  Alex Paton might only by 1 2^nd cat now, but brought some real pedigrees to the field.

As expected, Tom Williams attacked from the gun, what was not expected was that he only lasted 1 lap out front, such was the determination of the chasing bunch.

Over the next few laps, it was just attack after attack trying to form the days breakaway.  First George Smith, Luke Barfoot and Sam Andrews.  Then next lap William Jewitt, Charlie McFadzean and Oscar Hutchings.  Then just Oscar and Will.  But none of the attacks got more than a few seconds before being quickly shut down and no combativity points were awarded.

Will Duffy timed his move from the back to the front perfectly and appeared from nowhere to win the intermediate sprint over his more experienced rivals and extend his overall lead in the series.

Eventually on Lap 8 a break was finally formed and declared comprising of Will Duffy, Felix Skelton, Ashley Hutchison and James Phillips.  The spectators thought that this might be it, the bunch had other ideas and one lap later it was all back together.   On lap 13 it was the time for Oscar Hutchings, Tom Williams and Ashley Hutchison to have their moment of glory only for it to be shut down a lap later.

Then a group of 7 got away – James Phillips, Oscar Hutchings, Tom Williams, Robert Francis, Caleb Moon, Jake Hollins and Nathan Hallett – a strong group that worked well together, too big to gain combativity points as more than 5 riders and therefore declared as a split in the bunch and not a break, but surely this was the race winning move.  But no, the chasing bunch lent on series leader Will Duffy who sat on the front for a lap and a half to reduce the deficit to a handful of seconds and by the time the 5 lap to go board was shown it was all back together.

Incredibly a race that was so aggressive came to a bunch sprint involving 25 riders.   The sprint was won by Galahad Bland of Team Tor, a name or number not mentioned or seen in the first 44 minutes of the race, that is the way to beat the more illustrious 1^st category riders and superstars.   Pronto bikes Nathan Hallet and James Phillips completed the podium.

Joshua Price and Tom Williams were 4^th and 5^th for Thriva-SRCT, and Joe Reeves the best placed Reflex rider.

Will Duffy extended his lead at the top of the table, picking up 28 points on the night compared to only 5 by his previous weeks breakaway companion, Jake in 2^nd place.

Nathan Hallet and James Phillips are 3^rd and 4^th, just a few points behind Jake having won all almost all their points on the finish line.

Full results can be seen at

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTsWiCOz7HMvfFGjsf_0wDGJpwTKXqJ0HOdyPc9PDLDjn6nopy1tWdTRfyrFDu-DA2IOIRfshTSICtf/pubhtml

Once again there was a real vibe at Odd Down and thanks to the riders and spectators for making it a great night.   The organiser and volunteers really appreciate all the positive feedback.   Until next week.