Last Sunday saw round four of the Rudy Project time series. A challenging and picturesque course round the Retford region greeted the riders and luckily the weather was fairly kind to the riders with the sun shining for most of the event. For those of you who understand the crazy language of time trial code speak it was using the O13C course. Veterans, Juniors, Disabled and Women rode one lap of 13.44 miles while the Men and Espoirs faced two lap for 27.20 miles. The generally traffic free course included two climbs, at Gringley on the Hill and Clarborough Hill, a couple miles from the finish.

Three Rutland riders were on show with Marc and Danny finishing 12th and 13th in the seniors category while Stuart took 15th in the vets category.

Full results can be found here…senior result…vets result

I have to say on the whole I really enjoyed the event and would recommend riding a Rudy Project series event to anyone thinking of giving time trialling a go. It’s great to ride off against the best time trialist in the country even if it is slightly humbling to have 7 minutes put into you over 26 miles…

It was a great start to the 2010 road race league campaign for Rutland last night who managed a one two in the first event at Torworth. Jamie Burgan (true Rutler currently riding for Boneshakers) outsprinted Marc Mallender at the end of the seven lap race to bag maximum points.

It was the first night of the revised structure of the event which is now split in three separate leagues. Last night Group C and Group B were in action and we had Rutland riders in both groups.

The new un-handicapped structure of the events suited the Rutland riders attacking style down to tea. The race started in a lively fashion with Rutlands Danny Lowthorpe involved in a early move which went away virtually from the gun. After three laps Jamie and Marc bridged the gap and then blasted straight past to form a leading duo that forged ahead to gain a gap of approximately one minute by the line.

Steve had a dig of his own on the last lap but that was brought back before the bunch contested a hectic bunch sprint which was won by Sheff Recs Marc Etches, who rounded the podium off in third.

In the Group B race…I’m not sure what happened….all I know is that Dave was riding and finished in the bunch. Fancy writing a report for us Dave ???

Were you invloved in the racing ??? Why not comment on the article and give us your opinions on the first weeks competition.

Congratulations go out anyway to Marc and Jamie for a great Rutland 1-2 !!!

The sun was out and people flocked to make what has to have been one of the finest teacakes of the year…The turnout was amazing…something that I have not seen for a while but if you don’t believe me check out the pics below. (ps sorry for the quality they were taking using my sweaty camera phone!!).

I was also very pleased to see a great turnout for the slowcake also with eight or so riders tackling what turned into an epic slowcake of slightly elongated proportions.

All groups congregated back at the cafe for a well earned brew and plenty of banter. I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels really pleased to have found the Hathersage baths cafe. It’s great to actually feel welcome at a place and they have been brilliant catering for our ever increasing numbers with a smile. “Chapeau” to all at the cafe.

One of the main highlights for me though had to be newly signed Pinarallo test rider Dave Webster. Pinarello were apparently not getting enough of the right kind of feedback from their sky team members and so have turned to teacake stalwart Dave to put their product through it’s paces. Dave added, “Well Pinarello bosses approached me and said they were after some feedback on how the Dogma handled a rider capable of putting down some serious wattage, last week topping Cressbrook my SRM was reading 1500 watts and that’s a figure none of team sky can match.” We look forward to hearing more from our intrepid test teamer as the season progresses.

Were you out on saturday ? Why not leave a comment and tell us what you thought of the ride ?

As of next Tuesday night (6th April) the chain gang will again be threading it’s majestic route through the peak district at warp factor 53×12.

We will be meeting as last year up at the Norfolk Arms at 6pm for prompt set off soon after 6pm (we may be able to relax the start time slightly as the nights get lighter).

Last year on occasion the group got a little large to be effective so if we get a big turn out again this year we are planning on splitting up into smaller groups down at Hathersage and having a bit of handicapped style pursuit down to Castleton and back. We may also lenghten out the route a little if there are any takers…

Anyway I for one can’t wait so engage that big ring and see you up at the Norfolk Arms !!!

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