Prix André Delrue

Headed over with London Dynamo clubmates Gordon Kennaway, Gavin Ryan, Martin Garratt and Paul Delahunty to Brimeux near Calais to experience some French cycle racing - http://www.ccbrimeux.com/Brimeux-Prix-Andre-Delrue-Edition.html. Ended up cutting it a little fine arriving in Brimeux after we stopped a bit long for a coffee on the way, and found out that whilst race start was 14:30 the neutralised roll out was 15 mins before that. Anyway we paid our €5.50 (mmm why do British races cost £12-£15...?) got our numbers (Gordon helpfully coming prepared with lots of pins knowing that organisors do not give them out in France) and rolled out from Brimeux.

Initial impressions of the approx 60 rider field was not too intimidating, there were too many riders who 'looked' fast. Immediately from the start there were plenty of attacks but it was altogether as we swung right onto the climb. The first bit of the climb was definitely steeper than the official course description of "500m of 4%", and front riders hammered up it. Onto the top section of the climb (course description of 9.5% probably about right) and there were big gaps appearing and I made big effort of the top of the climb and the start of the descent to join the front group of probably 22-23 riders. After the 75-80 km/h descent it was a right turn into a pretty strong headwind, and the gap to the bunch opened rapidly. By the end of the first 14km lap it was clear this was the day's break, and was therefore expected pace to settle down for a while...

But no, on lap 2 the riders were already attacking the break and lots of jumping to close gaps required. Second time up the climb was not too bad with one rider away (clearly not bothered about riding solo into a 30 km/h headwind with 22 rider break behind him and 90+ km to go). But third time up the climb was different story as riders attacked full-on right from the bottom of the climb and a group of about 12 riders went away. I over extended myself trying to limit/close gap and the 4-5 riders on my wheel jumped me over the top. But with swift descent and hard chase with one other guy managed to rejoin front group few km later.

Fourth lap was more of the same with stream of attacks. And the style of racing seems to be that there is never any through-and-off chasing of attacks. Attack goes, and then rest of riders jump across in 1s and 2s, and then its altogether and repeat. Fourth time up the climb and I was in trouble and dropped along with few other riders. Again hammered down descent and closed to within maybe 50 metres but never made it. From then it essentially a long ride to the finish. One guy punctured from the break and had slow change and I tagged onto him until he rode away from me 5th time up the climb. Later I was caught - and as 'second wind' never happened - and dropped by other riders who had been in break. And on the penultimate lap I was caught (and again dropped) by a group of 5 riders including Paul - all that was left from the 'bunch'. So it was a lonely final lap to be the last finisher (probably ~30th place).

Disappointing not to have form/fitness to compete properly but a good experience. The race was probably only a French 'chipper' (although it did have team from Flanders and think deceptive because lots of average bikes/wheels - guess its a London/SE thing to see 4th cats with their Cervelos and Lightweight wheels etc.) but it still had near enough closed roads. Although there was practically no traffic (saw maybe one car the whole) there were still marshalls (maybe 40+ in total?) at every little side turning to stop traffic/tractors turning onto the course.