Modbury Race 2.... or is that race 1?
 
Mid week races are a great laugh aren't they? No matter how hard I try, I never seem to feel the same 'urgency' or seriousness at a mid-week race as is the norm on a weekend. Modbury in my opinion always seems especially relaxed as far as races go, and to me that is something I find very agreeable.
 
Anyway, about the race. I'll tell it from my perspective, as lets be honest, that's the only perspective I really care about when it comes to competition. Having looked at the start sheet, my plan was simple; mark Marcin and then one of the Southfork guys (I chose Blake Pond) and everything else was to be ignored.
 
Out of the start and the Polish express was straight on the front, setting the pace up the hill. In reflection, I reckon this was his warm up, as for once it was a measurable and pleasant pace. I think either fear or generous respect from the rest of us, meant no one chanced their arm on the hill at all. As we reached the top, Gary Chambers was first to have a crack, and was rewarded with zero reaction (I remember when I could do something, anything in a race without an instant reaction... happy times indeed). Marcin looked across at Gary as he made his move, but clearly made the decision to continue warming up or something.

So Gary scampered off. There was a bit of crank tickling from a few people on the lumps after the hill, seeing if they too could get away quietly, but there was only one free pass on offer tonight, and that was already nearly a minute up the road.
 
At this point, I like most people were mentally preparing for the onslaught of polish pain that would undoubtedly be unleashed next time up the hill. Clearly I wasn't alone in marking Marcin, and with Blake clearly not enjoying a good day on the bike, my 'plan' was now looking as one dimensional as everyone else’s. At least Marcin was willing to try something different, and rather than wait for the hill, he put the boot in on the big drag close to the finish.
 
That boot asked a lot of questions, certainly asked me some big questions anyway, and there was an immediate splintering of the bunch. However, I hung tight, and as there were a few of us looking like we were there for the long haul Marcin relented and a bit of a regrouping ensued.
 
Over the top and things got more interesting. James Smith and one other, managed to clip off the front, and quickly disappeared out of view. Now that made three people away, but with a frisky looking Marcin in the now refined bunch, I (like a few others) decided to hang tough. Before the turn towards the run in to the end of the lap, I tried a half effort attack, primarily to get some blood flowing back through the legs. In hindsight, this is where I personally went wrong.
 
I was in front of Marcin going into the last drag, and when he kicked, I had to find some space, and close back up to him. This was something I was always going to fail to do. Marcin clipped off with Graham Sumner, followed by Junior Heffernan, Richard Oram and myself no more than 50 metres back.
 
For a while I thought we might be able to peg the gap on the lower slopes of the climb, but slowly the elastic stretched, a more solid group came together to join my little posse, and suddenly the focus returned to looking after yourself in comparison to the group as a whole, more than chasing the group ahead; the elastic went ‘ping’.
 
At this point I thought it could still come together. These thoughts were seemingly vindicated when Smith and breakaway companion came back into view. This meant there were now just three ahead, one of which (Chambers) had had a long day in the saddle already. Ten of us, 3 of them, if we worked together, statistics meant it should fall in our favour.
 
Then as we reached the top of the climb Phil Borrett attacked. 'Curious' I thought. Curious because I couldn't understand why Phil thought he would have a better chance soloing across alone compared to the chances of a group. Curious because he'd not done a turn on the front for the climb, and if he was feeling good, why ride in a way that meant he was playing for the minor places at best.
 
I mention this as Phil's attack effectively ended any group collaboration. Once he was inevitably brought back, A Mid Devon goes over the top of me. I couldn't tell if it was Matt Hill or Pete Vincent (I was chewing my bars at the time) but it was a powerful set of turns either way. This not only put the final nail in the coffin of group collaboration, but also hurt some legs to the point where the race became survival first. Additionally, and as compensation, it also ended Smith’s foray off the front.
 
So we were now racing for fourth; that was clear. Up ahead, the race took its predictable path to another great win for Marcin Bialoblocki. Him and Graham Sumner rode down Gary, who must have been hurting by now! Despite these feelings of pain, Gary still had a few digs at the Pole, but sure enough mMarcin got the win, Sumner second and Gary a commendable third.
 
Reviewing my group, it became clear that Mid-Devon were well represented with 4 riders. Not only were they well represented, and in that representation making others (myself included) reluctant to pull too hard anywhere near the front, but they were not too happy working on the front much themselves. It all got a bit ugly. Junior went for a solo mission. No one reacted. I looked to Mid Devon to so something about it, I think they were looking at me to do something about, and everyone else was looking at a mixture of, me, Mid Devon, and hell anyone else but themselves to do anything about it.
 
I attacked to bridge over, and suddenly Mid Devon came to life, and quickly it was all together again. Pete Haworth has a go. No reaction and he’s away. Now this became awkward for me as I train with Pete a lot, and 4th was going to be a great result for him this year. I wasn't going to chase him and I couldn't try bridging either.
 
Then Junior goes again. Everyone holds still. The gap goes out. Mid Devon finally start working. Last drag and Borrett attacks. People are stretched, and I am blowing hard but holding station. Coming into the finish its touch and go, but Pete holds it for fourth, and Junior rounds out the prize places with fifth.
 
I get sixth and learn a valuable lesson. I let Mid Devons numbers affect how I raced. At the time, I was fearful of counter moves, of being worked over by them, and certainly it looked as though they were playing games. However, truth is, they were hurting every bit as much as me and everyone else, and to be brutally honest, their physical strength lay with their young guns, who simply don't have the experience to be thinking as in-depth about motivations, plans etc as I was.
 
For me to miss the Marcin express was unfortunate, but acceptable - he is great, whilst I am fat and classically poor on the lumps - but to then be mentally broken by people who weren't even playing mental games, smacks of self doubt and foolishness. I need to go away and start believing in myself and get on with it. Ho hum.
 
So in summary, a typical Marcin performance, a solid ride by Graham Sumner, great time trial training for Gary, a seasons best for Pete Haworth, and another solid placing for Junior... Frustration all round for the rest of us! At least there's an Ilton next week - thats never negative!!!

Thanks to David Hamilton, CS South Hams, the marshals, commissaries and tea ladies. Oh and lets not forget those who entered… everyone doing their bit to keep road racing alive in the southwest beyond June.