Corinium at Upavon (8 of 10)

Team Riders: David Phillips, Mike Cashman, Mike Firth, George Taylor, Pete Hutchinson. 
It was very cold and windy as the riders warmed up for the 8^th race of 10 in the UpavonCat 3/4 winter series with Corinium’s David Phillips leading the series with numerous races in the series cancelled owing to the poor winter weather. With 49 riders lining up for the start the rain started in earnest just for good measure and meant for a less than aggressive first few laps with an early crash making the bunch nervous. All the attacks from the main protagonists in the series were covered with a break of two eventually going away after 40minutes. With a team-mate in the break the front of the peloton was well marshalled by the remaining pair from the Inverse Racing Team. With a couple of laps to go with the break certain to stay away, the peloton settled for the bunch sprint for 3^rd place and the lower speed bunched the riders up. On the final lap, George hit the front and kept the group safely strung out with David nicely placed towards the head of the group which was fortunate as there was a second crash towards the rear. David sprinted in safely for 9^th place overall but lacking his usual finishing zip to pick up another point and keep the series lead with two races to go.

27 February 2010