Lewis Oliphant Memorial RR 2/3/4 - 25 Jun 2019
Words by Ali Watt
Sunday was the inaugural edition of the Lewis Oliphant memorial RR. Lewis was a lovely guy I used to ride with in the Saturday chain who passed away very unexpectedly last year, so this was a race I definitely wanted to do. It was on a circuit of some of his favourite roads, basically part of the Tuesday chain route. It finished up the little yak which is a climb I relish so hopefully it would suit me.
The race was slow to get going, proving hard to get the convoy out of Haddington. My teammate Paul Griffiths was also racing. I managed to puncture in the neutralised zone, probably a drain cover. Best place to do it tho, as I stuck my hand up immediately, and got fast service from Peter Wilson (demanding his best front wheel) in support and managed to get back on quickly, as there was guys taking pee stops and another mechanical before the flag even dropped.
Straight away from the flag there were attacks as expected with David Griffiths getting away in full TT mode. This was a course that for once I knew like the back of my hand, so knew where the nasty corners were, when to work hard; and hopefully, when to attack. Unfortunately for Paul, he punctured early on and that put an end to his race. A total of 8 punctures testament to the East Lothian lanes!
For 3 laps of 5, I watched guys get away in dribs and drabs, most of them sticking. I kept missing the breaks that counted annoyingly; or more truthfully perhaps, not having the courage to follow. I find this part of racing is like a toss up between wanting to get in the break, but having to balance that with a realistic view of what your abilities will stretch to. That's why I'm not keen on trying to get away too early on. However, the more I race the more confident I'm becoming of those abilities. But also flecked with increasing levels of boredom waiting in the bunch for the inevitable sprint battling it out for 10th place, all the time making me want to try something.
When Alan Dean got away easily on lap 3, moving right up the bunch from the back, I thought about bridging but I know how strong he is on his own so thought the better of it. So when Colin Jackson attacked on lap 4, a guy I've worked with before in a break I decided to follow. We got away for a bit with another guy bridging, but on the parachutes which is a fast section I could hear the bunch thundering down. Then I found myself leading the bunch which was not what I'd planned on!
Then Colin counter attacked again, I let a gap form and went again hard. This time we got a good gap, working together for a short time but it came to nothing, with the bunch screaming past on right at the bottom of the main Camptoun climb, the worst part it could happen. So no chance to recover, had to empty myself just to stay on. Last lap now and I'm resigned to trying to recover enough before the sprint but the attacks keep coming with the bunch to-ing and fro-ing, and riders jostling for position.
Still feeling not too bad we turned up the little yak for the climb to the finish, my plan was to wait till the last bend and get to the front and go as hard as I could. Which was what I did but as soon as I got to the front my left hamstring cramped up totally! I tried coming out the saddle for the sprint but was effectively powering on one leg! My efforts in the failed break catching up with me. So I maybe lost a few places on the final corner to the finish line, finishing 20th maybe? 11 riders being up the road. Alexander Macrae won the race in a really strong ride.
This was a great race, an emotional day, and with Lewis's parents presenting the trophy, his girlfriend Kerry racing aswell, it was a fitting tribute to him. I think it's destined to become a future classic on the race calendar.
I personally really enjoyed it, and think I now prefer cat 2/3/4 races and the constant attacking and tactics that they bring. There's always something happening...
One other thing I've noticed... Everyone loves the Musselburgh!! Spectators and officials I don't even know are coming up to me and blethering away about racing, especially with the tidy new kit on display. As always, I'm just proud to represent. Check out the photos (think there's a special filter in play) and how cool the new kit looks in the bunch.
Still need to get in that break tho...