Erc Race Blog 2012
posted: 1 Aug 2012
Thorton Trophy Race Report: By Neil Taylor
Unlike most Scottish races it started at a leisurely pace; seemed like almost everyone was waiting for the first climb of the Riles to shake things up (the race was on the same course as the British champs last year when Wiggins won his title and Armistead hers). If you haven't seen / ridden it, it's not a particularly long climb but has a pretty nasty ramp near the top before levelling out and then going up again. A good place to make a move. It all stayed together on the first time up, but soon after a lone rider from Blumilk went off alone. He was pretty much ignored by the bunch so was out of sight after a few miles. He did have a few strong teammates so they kept the lid on all the little attacks that followed over the next 2 of 3 laps, but I think everyone expected him to be brought back as it was pretty windy in certain sections. He ended up staying away and winning by a good margin. Meanwhile.. I tried to set something up the second time up the Riles, resulting in a promising looking break of 7. Unfortunately there were a few passengers and most others wanted to keep it 'steady'... so that was that doomed. Last time up the climb and 2 riders had a small advantage on the bunch but were still within sight, I stomped on the pedals again and this time only 2 others were anywhere near me going over the top so I kept it going until they got on my wheel and started to work. We had a good gap with only about 4 or 5miles to the line, tailwind all the way. We caught the 1 of the 2 escapees (who were riding for 2nd and 3rd anyway) about 100m from the finish... Alan Nixon from Blackhawk bikes had just slipped over the line but for almost the first time ever on the flat I out-sprinted the other guys to get 3rd. Pretty happy with that although i think everyone was kicking themselves for letting that early lone attack go unmarked
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