ECCA Festival - Redbridge Cycle Centre

Saturday 2nd May

Alan Lawrence and Darren Frostick made the journey down to the Redbridge Cycle Centre, commonly known as Hog Hill on Saturday May 2.

This circuit is a new closed-circuit cycle racing facility born out of the demise of the Eastway Cycle Racing circuit at nearby Stratford and is suitable for all levels of cycle racing including new beginners.

On a nice day for racing Alan and Darren rode the Masters (40+) event in light winds and temperatures of 20 degrees and with a racing distance of just 20 miles it was always going to be fast from the gun.

Despite the fast pace, the bunch kept together and at around half distance gaps began to open on the main climb of the circuit. Alan positioned himself well and kept himself in the front group with many noted riders slipping out of the back; their race was over for the day.

Matt Seaton (Rapha Condor) clipped off the front of this group with two other riders and eventually came home for the win.

With 1 kilometre to go and with Alan still in the front group and in with a chance of the spoils, he started to move up in order to position himself for the bunch sprint. Then disaster; with 300 metres remaining he experienced his gears slipping which in effect ruined his chances of putting in a good sprint for the line. He ended the race rolling over the line just outside of the top 10.

A disappointing end for Alan but he had the consolation of having wife Tracey, son Charlie and VCR members Owen and Leighton Bannister on hand to cheer him on.

Promising Time Triallist Darren found the going tough especially with the constant accelerations and was unfortunately dropped by the main bunch but did well to finish the event.