TOM SIMPSON MEMORIAL RR (Percy Stallard Series Event 4)- SUNDAY 27th JUNE

LVRC A and B cat -100k, Harworth near Doncaster. "Undulating"’

By Roger Bishop

It was great to see so many riders at the HQ at Harworth, the town where Tom Simpson grew up. Anyone needing inspiration could look in the clubhouse where there is a large cabinet with the bike he won Paris Nice on, the jersey he wore on "that fateful day" and many other photos and memorabilia, there is a replica of the Ventoux Memorial at the entrance.

There were 60 riders for the A/B event and a similar number for both the C/D and E/F races, even eight entered the G cat 30 mile RR for the over seventies.

The race started with the descent from the mine entrance at Harworth, a familiar site from the A1, a left turn then a couple of miles before the next left and another couple of miles along the wind assisted back straight. The final left to complete the triangle took the riders back up the climb to the finish and completing the 6 mile circuit.

The pace was brisk from the word go, with any attempts to get away quickly brought back. At around half way I managed to join a couple of riders off the front but we were caught after less than half a lap. From then on I was amazed at the pace of the bunch as riders tried to escape, at times I felt I was at my max and wouldn’t even be finishing with the bunch. I managed to stay in and my thanks go to anyone whose wheel I was on. At some point six or seven riders got away and once they had a gap the pace eased to give a slower last lap. I attacked on the final climb and passed three of the breakaway but faded into the wind on the flat approaching the finish and was caught by half a dozen riders before the line.  

After 60 miles in about two and a quarter hours (approx 26.7mph) I was pleased to finish close behind the winners but I am waiting to see where I finished and if I got any more points in the series.