South West Open Series Rnd5 - Ermington 3/4 road race
4 team riders took to the valley road of Ermington. Gary coming into the race looking for some race experience in the peloton with Gary’s main focus on European draft legal triathlon he wanted to get some experience riding in a pack.
The boys went in with a good plan for hopfully getting a good result for the team.
The race started in a fast downhill to a roundabout and then climb back to the top of the valley.
As the team hit the bottom of the climb Lewis was sat in a good position and ended up getting to the front and leading up the climb setting a solid pace that started to thin out the peloton and gaps started opening up behind. Gerard was tucked in managing to get to the top in the group. Unfortunately Jay and Gary couldn't get over the top of the climb and just lost touch from the front group.
Gary and Jay continued to press on during the whole race finding themselves in a small group which was great to gain some experience and confidence in the road.
Lewis and Gerard pressed on with Gerard then coming to the front on the descent back into the valley controlling the pace of the group.
A few groups tried to get away but Lewis and Gerard were quick to real them back in and weld any gaps that would form. This continued for 3 laps with no successful breaks going. The flag was waved for the last lap; tensions in the bunch were high and attacks flying on the last climb; the pace was on and Lewis and Gerard made it to the top still in the game. A small group managed to get a small gap Lewis and Gerard got to work pulling them back and then proceeded to attack and try and get away managing to get a small gap, but it eventually got shut down. The plan now was to get Gerard in a good position for the sprint. Lewis went to work on the front with Gerard on his wheel pulling him up to the final few hundred meters. Gerard put in a long range sprint managing to get a tightly contested 8th. Lewis rolled in just behind but the job was done and the team managed to get a result.
An extremely well organized event by Plymouth Corinthians and loads of fun had by each one of the team members.