L'etape de la defonce

[Rob Jones]

Are we putting in an OVW team again this year...19th-20th July?

Express interest here.

[Shawn]

Would love to ride an event like this but don't think I would be fast enough to last the pace.

Any chance of a B team entry?

[Steven]

Joe Beech, Mark Rosser, Chris Goodwin, Rob Jones - dream team!

[Rob Jones]

Would love to ride an event like this but don't think I would be fast enough to last the pace.

Any chance of a B team entry?

Its hard racing Shawn - speak to Andy H, Andy W or Steve C

I've done it several times now (its 2nd cat standard despite being a 3rd/ 4th cat event). I've noticed that at least 1 in our team always gets a bit of a kicking (the 1st time I was 1 of 2 in the team that got a kicking). As it is a team event that can be a little demoralising for those concerned.

If there was a B team my guess is the entire team would get a kicking...but does that matter? Possibly not. You get to complete a great and rare club level stage race on your doorstep (and the organiser will let all competitiors finish). You wouldn't be the only team to get a kicking either so could still set a team target.

In many ways a B team makes more sense than an A team with one less experienced racer in it. Just make sure your team is as evenly matched as you can because of the hilly 4up team time trial at the beginning.

As for Steven's comment - I am happy to co-ordinate entry if those proposed come forward and register their intentions

[Shawn]

That dream team would surely hve chnce of placing someone on podium

[Andy H]

Echo Rob's  comments and nothing wrong with a kicking now and again.

Normally I'd put my hand up for the 'B' team but my main event for the season is the following weekend so won't be doing anything as hard as this race!

Happy to come along and support the dream team or be 'waterboy'

[Rob Jones]

That dream team would surely hve chnce of placing someone on podium

 A top 10 team finish should be realistic. I think the young and improving Joe beech is the only one capable of a top 3...and even that would be a massive achievement given the standard and that he's training in 3 different sports!

[Rob Jones]

Echo Rob's  comments and nothing wrong with a kicking now and again.

Normally I'd put my hand up for the 'B' team but my main event for the season is the following weekend so won't be doing anything as hard as this race!

Happy to come along and support the dream team or be 'waterboy'

I don't pretend to know any more than you about training/ tapering Andy. In fact much less in rrspect of endurance events. But I wouldn't expect almost anything to have a negative impact on my performance a week on. I'd have thought some relatively short and intense efforts a week prior would be beneficial if anything. Maybe an easy spin midweek and the rest of your tapering could be running and swimming. There are so many schools of thought mind, guess you have to choose one and stuck with it while it works for you! By luck More than judgement I reckon our prep for Majorca 12 hour was correct.

[Davey C]

Echo robs comments. In fact the weekend before is an ideal time to do a hard event like this to squeeze out those extra few watts

[xrayspecs]

I found last year my best crits were if I had done chain gang or a 2 x 20 the day before, although I suspect the longer and more endurance based the event the more of a difference a taper would make?

[Rob Jones]

No takers for this then?

[Andy H]

Definitely need rest last week before long endurance event, keep sessions shorter but of same intensity, maybe help out in the TT! 

[Shawn]

Sorry Rob, not up to A-Team standard, would love to see a competitive OVW team in the event.