A couple of attempts were tried by riders including Vincent Davison and Steve May, both in good form in the hot and windy conditions but most of these attacks came to nothing. It was only when Dominic Gabellini (Rapha Condor) and Konrad Manning (Finsbury CC) attacked just before halfway that the elastic broke and these two continued to pull time out of the bunch.

Vinnie and Steve were in various breaks to try and pull back the leading pair, but the bunch was keeping a close eye on them both. With 15 laps remaining, Quentin Tring (Brixton Cycles) powered off the front of the bunch into the headwind going through the finishing straight and pulled out a healthy 30 second lead in 2 laps which eventually grew to 47 seconds. With 5 laps to go the front two were still working together with Gabellini doing the majority of the work whilst Tring, currently riding in ‘ no mans land ‘ was being slowly reeled in by the fast approaching bunch. Vinnie attacked just over the rise of Oxo Hill with 3 laps to go but the danger had been spotted by Mark Harris (Harlow CC) who quickly jumped onto Vinnies wheel.

Through the bell it was Gabellini and Manning well clear of Tring whose gap was dwindling with the fast approaching Vinnie and Harris. Manning didn’t compete the sprint as Gabellini was the driving force of the winning break punching the air as he crossed the line. Tring just got swallowed up at the end by Vinnie who claimed 3rd place for Victoria. Steve clipped off the front of the bunch to take 6th place as Terry Devine (Orbea) and Chris Broadway (Braintree) sprinted with each other for 7th.

1st D. Gabellini (Rapha Condor)

2nd K.Manning (Finsbury CC)

3rd V.Davison (Victoria CC)

6th S. May (Victoria CC)