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H-Cap Race #2

 

Written by Will Usher

A great turn out tonight with 145 sign ups, clearly you’re all gluttons for punishment with a tough race in prospect. Dartmoor is known for its unforgiving hills and roads. I personally didn’t get chance to recce this course as I normally do however I rode it back in 1998 and I remember one of the hills had a handrail on the pedestrians which is never that encouraging.

There was a clear separation in tactics for tonight. With a slight downhill into a steep downhill there was a chance for the more powerful but potentially heavier riders to drop the hammer early and try and put some distance into the other riders before some aggressive climbing. Indeed some clearly read the race notes and a group of about 20 riders broke free out of the gate with some serious watts going down.

The first hill proved something of a selection at 4.1km and averaging 6% it was a long time to cling to the back wheel of those making a move. The upside, it was predictable, the downside it took you to a really dark place really early on. The sort of place where you start looking around the room for something to help you wondering if maybe that aero helmet would be a good idea…. I found myself leaning to the side to try and get in the draft and save even 1 watt, 1 watt is worth it right?! Frankly the first hill was nearly too much for me but thankfully there were lots of PRT and RGTP out to play and I managed to find a working group.

Over the top there was a sharp descent but those hoping to carry speed into the next section were to be disappointed a series of sharp bends took care of this. There was though some respite to be had with a 3km flattish section in the run up to Tavistock. Small groups formed in hope of solidarity. Bidons were swapped for fresh ones, magazines re-loaded, game-faces rearranged, jaws removed from the floor…. At 12km it was on, savage gradients, grappling hooks, bungees, bidons flung, startled cats fleeing, modelling for Edvard Munch ensued. The big worry here though was that whilst this climb was always going to be important it wasn’t the last climb some matches needed to be saved but it became apparent that many had spent their entire book desperately searching Amazon for a 10min delivery slot. The bunch began to fracture.

There was then a 2km respite, that is unless you had some maniac trying to attack you. This far into the race though no amount of disapproving stares would bring them back.

There were some nerves going into the last ramp. Ranging between 4-18% it lent itself to attacks. Over the top there would be less than 4km to go of rolling descent to flat so a move here would probably stick. The tarmac here is slapped on the hillside and fluctuates without mercy. For those on already ragged legs it was too much and groups began to attack each other. The time of allegiance was over. Now it was about saving watts and taking your chance. Finally the Flame Rouge came into view. After a tough 24km riders felt entitled to a nice finish. Sadly, Dartmoor doesn’t do nice. Two ramps presented themselves and it was who could turn themselves inside out and back around again…

Unfortunately there were a few DQs tonight. The absolute threshold being 3.7w/kg. The podium then:

  1. J. Van Spitael
  2. V. Benita
  3. L. McEntegart

Very well done! Some massive performances.

Prix de la combativité:

This was a brutal course and once again there were a number of new thresholds achieved. Of course though there were some standout efforts.

Nominations:

U. Donigiewicz - FTP

K. Warren - FTP

S. Ludlow - FTP

S. Deakin - FTP

L. McEntegart - FTP

B. Usher - 52nd with an awesome performance aged 79yrs!

O. Perkins - 54th another awesome performance aged 13yrs!

The winner is *Liam McEntegart!* An incredible performance and a 2nd successive FTP increase. Liam turned himself inside out repeatedly to try and get back on V. Benita’s wheel. Well done!!


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