As expected, the scratch group caught the group of thirds on the climb to the finish on the first lap. With a big injection of pace, many thirds started to get tailed off as the scratch group (including Dom) tore passed up the finishing straight. With two laps to go, the pace eased as the now larger group sorted itself out. Redhill were present at the front throughout,
The race only really started on the final long climb passed the golf course on the last lap. At the foot of the climb, a big attack went up the road as the final group was passed, but all Redhill riders managed to jump onto it and continue to move forward. Positioning was key, and due to the mix of weaker and stronger riders, it was essential to keep moving up to avoid sitting on a weaker rider's wheel. Cresting the climb, all Redhill riders were in the front group, with Dom being particularly active as the fast descent started. Dom hit the front going into the last few miles, trying to force a break and to get away from the pack for the final climb. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to work, as numerous Cat 1 and 2s chased down his strong attacks. Needless to say, the pace was high on the descent as the group tried to hang onto his wheel and follow his moves.
With a 150 metre dig just before the finish, being in the top ten over the top was going to be important. Ryan, who had been sitting in the top half of the 40 rider pack on the descent, started to move up as the finish came closer. Grabbing a strong wheel and sitting on the outside of the pack (and often on the wrong side of the road), he moved up to join Dom in the front 5 riders. At one point Ryan had to duck under the wing mirror of an oncoming van. Not a safe place to be, but with such an eager pack it was difficult to avoid being pushed into the oncoming lane as riders tried to move into the top group.
Going into the final dig, Ryan jumped onto (last year's Surrey League winner) Elliot Porter's wheel (having to fight hard to stop others elbowing him off it), and led onto the foot of the climb in the top four riders, well placed for the sprint. Dom, who had been active throughout, become stuck to the inside as a press of riders surged forward. Sean, sitting in a good position, also seemed to get mugged from behind as some fast riders jumped around the outside. Ryan started his sprint at the foot of the hill (earlier than others) and jumped up to the lead by the crest. With a long distance from the crest of the hill to the line, the sprinters hit the gas to jump ahead. Luckily, he had the legs to get ahead of the charging pack and finish with the top guys in 4th place, a solid result for Redhill on one of our home circuits.
It's great to see such a large number of Redhill racers finishing in the top half (and at the front) on such a demanding circuit. All of our entries made it up the final climb in a good position, showing the work that the riders have put in throughout this year to become competitive. Redhill road racers are having a superb season, and long may it continue.