Confusion reigned! We signed on last night and after some discussion it was decided that we should all head for the start to be briefed and have our handicapped start. After the entire field had warmed up and got to the start we were then told we had to return to HQ for our briefing
Back at HQ we were told that the groups would be rolled out to the start with minute gaps between, that the start would be a 'rolling start' and that once we crossed the start the race was on- at least that's what I (and most of the 4th Cat field) heard, so that's what we did. We crossed the line and off we went.
After just over half a lap with around 5 of us working at driving the group the motorcycle marshall told us to sit up and head back for the start as we had set off too soon. You can imagine how pleased we were at this news
Back at the start line we had to sit and wait for several minutes until the 3rd cat group came into view and then we set off again. A fast two laps (i have them around 26.5 mph) followed with some attempts at organisation which didn't work too well. On the third lap we were caught by the 3rd cats and the speed ramped up further. The 3rd cats were clearly better organised than us and kept the pace high. Too high for me as it turned out, and i got shelled out of the back at the end of the third lap.
Did a 2-up for a further 2 laps then sat up and waited for the gallop to the line .
Bit miffed to have been dropped but I was on my limit for most of the third lap despite being in the group, so it was only a matter of time.
A good workout though, and even with the 2 slower laps I averaged 24mph.
Good to see lots of Clifton jerseys in there at the end, and John looked strong in the sprint.