Category: 3
Result: -

Sunday saw the Ed Steffani Memorial San Jose Grand Prix at the velodrome for the lower track categories. We had three riders there, me, Pritpal and Scott which made us the second largest team there behind Alto Velo. There were a large number of events, so many that I cannot remember them all. Suffice to say that towards the end, I was really tired considering that this was on top of Friday night at the track and the WoT crit on Saturday.

Here are some of the highlights:

Scott's mother was there taking pictures.

There were short 3-lap scratch race heats, and the FFBC riders were all up in the same heat. We had a chat before the race and our unknown ringer, Scott, was chosen to ttack off the front early whilst P and I blocked. This worked well and Scott won the heat and progressed to the final.

We had a 25 lap point-a-lap race. I went off the front at the start and stayed away for 11 or so laps with various people coming across to me. I got 9 points from this escape and then tried to hang on in what was left of the pack, hoping against hope that I had done enough. Not quite - I finished equal on points, but the other rider placed ahead in the final sprint, so I got second.

A fun event was the Club Pursuit. Here, the two most represented clubs, us and Alto Velo raced a pursuit. They had 6 riders, we 3, so our numbers were evened up by other riders. AV decided to make it "AV vs. The World", so riders were added to our group and we ended up with 7 to their 6. I am pleased to report that "FFBC" caught AV in about 8 laps.

I seemed to make a habit of getting second. I got it in the unknown distance - I was a bit boxed in when a rider attacked and had to work hard to chase across. It turned out to be 2 laps and I was well clear to ride to second place. In the win-and-out, I was well-placed to launch for the first sprint, only to see 2 laps to go for a second time when the bell should have been rung. I had to ease back as I was preparing to wind up for my jump. I thought I had a good chance to catch the rider who was off the front, but I didn't have a jump for 2 laps. I waited, cursing the person on lapcards and won the sprint for second.

I have no idea where I finished in the senior 3 omnium. It was just good to be out racing and pushing myself as hard as I could when I was already tired. Today is a rest day.

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