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The annual TVRR is a firm fixture in the Condors race itinerary, with representation starting right back at the clubs inception 4 years ago. A well used Great Milton Loop is well known ground for us, often being used for training in the evenings with only 2 noticeable bumps in the profile and some nice long straights to drop the hammer.

Riders for 2015:

• Brett Kamino (4th Cat)
• Dan Bradley (3rd Cat)
• Jonny Revis (3rd Cat)
• Matt Thomas (3rd Cat)
• Michael Devaney (3rd Cat)

After a few weeks of glorious sunshine, we were a little disappointed to wake up to a greasy wet road surface after a night’s heavy rain. However, it was clearly drying out which was a good omen for the race. We had a plan, which was to support Mike, who is on great form at present, as well as have Bradders in a good position as the course suits him well. 

After rolling out a little late due to a radio issue, the race settled into a particularly sedate pace, nobody wanting to commit workers to the front so early on. The first ascent of Clare Hill was taken by most in the saddle, with little more pace being injected on the drag up to the first passing of the finish. Everyone seemed safely ensconced in the bunch, with no need to move up to better positions. As we left the A329, the pace dropped off again, with Jonny and Mike moving to the front of the bunch to keep out of harms way and watch for any attacks – a few were launched but without any real belief and were soon reeled in. It is worth mentioning that the back straight of the course had been heavily hit by the previous evenings rain leaving large filthy puddles and filth across the road making for treacherous riding.

On the stretch up to the finish, 2 riders went clear of a sleeping pack. After recognising the danger Jonny and Tom Bolton (Oxford Uni) got to the front and swapped turns to try and draw the breakaway back. Disappointingly, over the next 5 miles, only a single Banbury Star rider joined us on the front, pulling hard and seemingly drawing back at least one rider (which turned out to be our friend Chris Smith of Python RT, who admitted after the race to being savaged by his breakaway companion!).

At the tight turning at Stadhampton, Jonny led the pack through, clipping a pedal on the inside leading to a few gasps from the spectators and the side and even more from the 2 OTCC riders on his wheel! At this point, the danger of the breakaway had seemingly being picked up and the pace hotting up. Matt helped bring Bradders forward, with Mike and Brett already well within the top 20, ideally placed as the last 8-9 miles were upon us.

Bradders immediately got to the front and pulled, joined by Mike and Jonny. Mike was looking very comfortable in his first open road race and being well marshalled by Brett, helping him move through the pack.

The breakaway rider was clearly tiring and now back in sight of the pack, but frustratingly only OUCC were prepared to pull with us as the left turn into Stoke Talmage approached. After another pull up the far side drag at the back of Clare Hill, he pulled over, with no one wanting to come through. As people looked at each other, Brett seized his moment and set off like a rocket in pursuit of the lone breakaway man, making a hundred meters in the blink of an eye.

It was at this moment that unfortunately, Brett’s enthusiasm and fatigue played a cruel trick. Being clear of the pack and looking for a good line for the left turn, he hit a greasy muddy area which took his wheels from him leaving him in a filthy pile as the pack came by. Words of “encouragement” were shouted from his team mates(!), but there was no time to lose focus as the finale was upon us.

It was clear at this point, if more people didn’t work at the front then the breakaway would stick.

With this in mind, Jonny got hold of Mike to move him forward around the outside of the bunch, getting to the front for one last hard pull before the lights went out. Bradders was slightly boxed in on the left as the climb approached, but Mike had managed to squeeze past Jonny as the power went out and was in an armchair seat up the climb, unleashing his sprint over the top to secure a very respective 4th. incredibly Oliver Barbieri (Spirit Bikes) made the breakaway stick, finishing 10 seconds or so ahead of the chasing pack. Chapeau.

Matt and Bradders finished with the bunch, Jonny just off the back and Brett (muddy but none the worse for his crash) a minute or so back.

All in all, it was a good performance for late April, especially from Bradders who had raced the day previously at MK Bowl.