As Jim said, Frank and I rode in the support race for the Super 6 yesterday.
This was 5 laps of the same circuit used for the A race, totalling 40 miles. A full field of 80 set off through the neutralised zone and after a short telling off from the commissaires for folk riding on the wrong side of the road we were away.
It was all fairly twitchy early on with the pace changing erratically leading to an early spill near the back. Approaching the KOM prime on the first lap a split in the bunch appeared with probably about 50-60 riders going clear.
Frank was caught in the rear bunch which I believe was pulled out of the race after completing 4 laps.
I was feeling OK at this point though seemed to find myself at the back of the bunch almost continually for the next few laps. A lack of recent racing experience was probably the cause and this meant a fair amount of chasing from corners etc.
A very rapid sprint prime at Lap 2 resulted in the bunch stringing out along the road and gradually coming back together as the front riders hit the strong headwind and eased up a little. However, the effort required by myself to get back on to the bunch eventually paid its price after another lap or so and I simply couldn't find it in my legs to hold on at the top of the KOM prime towards the end of Lap 3.
I struggled on through managing to finish what I guess would be about 10 minutes behind the bunch in about 40-50th (ish).
I was pleased to have finished, and it certainly gives something on which to improve. Here's to the next race!