Heading down to Rutherglen early Saturday morning, and I was looking forward to a weekend away. As they say, a change of scene is as good as a holiday. But this little holiday was going to be much more fun than sand castles and seagulls! We were going racing...

On the Saturday afternoon, all four team mates from TFM AVANTI took part in the 100km handicap event. Steve-O, Stu and Tristan were in the wrong handicap groups, as was I. But we just used it as training. Stu, Steve and myself rode well as a team in the same handicap group, really dominating the field and setting the pace. Come the final 30km, and we lifted the pace just a little more - an attack from one of the locals was the perfect excuse to ramp it up a bit more... Throughout the final 10km, both Stu and Steve rolled turns with me, and I feel we clicked pretty well!

Come the finish (keeping in mind the chaos of the handicap) and Steve flashed up the outside of the field with 100m to go. I got boxed in, but found a way through and crossed the line in 4th place in our peleton. Stu played it safe, and rightly so. Not all the riders had uhh... the magic touch ;-)

Sunday morning was freezing cold, so we decided to ride the 10km into Rutherglen as a warm up before a well deserved breakfast at the local cafe. Stu and Tristan left the table early for their criterium start, while Steve and I tried to look the part.. And discuss the possibilities of "talking Shimano Di2 groupsets", so watch this space! Stu worked hard for the majority of the criterium, lining Tristan up for 4th place I believe. Top effort by the duo. Steve and I then took our places on the line, and headed off for 40mins + 3 laps of racing.

The two of us controlled much of the pace, until Cal Britten from Bright attacked on a rise and opened up 50m in no time at all. After gauging a few of the others, I figured it was up to TFM AVANTI to close the gap. So for 2 laps I went hard, and reeled in the escapee. Once I caught him, I looked behind to see some hurt in the pelotons' faces, so I kept going. Over a rise, through a risky corner and head down... two other riders managed to join me and within half a lap we had some decent space around us!

The three of us worked together really well, agreeing to let Rico Rogers take the sprint points, in return doing a few extra pulls on the front. We lapped the field by the end of our 40min and had 1 lap left - I was sitting right behind Rogers as he kicked, but I just didn't have the power to roll past him. I nabbed 2nd place overall, and waited eagerly to see how Steve would do. And Steve did do!!

Coming out of the final corner, Steve hit the main field with something big, opening up a 10m gap and holding it til the finish line. A well deserved 4th place!

A great weekend for TFM AVANTI - thanks to all the guys for making it worthwhile.

Happy Days..