Sumners Ponds with Javier, Nestor and Quico

Probably one of the easiest wins of my cycling career. All down to strategy and race craft.

I knew Javier, Nestor and Quico are strong riders so, when they said they wanted to ride one of the Kingston Wheelers route I offered them a menu of a short and flat ride to Windsor, a short ride to Tanhouse and a decent ride to Sumners Ponds.

Apparently they don't like cinnamon buns, nor are they interested in short rides to a farm. They chose Sumners Ponds. They took the bait.

I gave them all types of details about the Esher sprint as we were riding out. Not that they needed them, we were coming back through a different way. I just was building with them a reputation of a fair competitor. 

We rode all the hills at a friendly, chatty pace. Being tired from the (skimmed) LEL was an adequate excuse. Saving my legs was the real reason.

I saw Javier taking a cheeky sprint at the top of the last ramp before the coffee stop. I duly took note of who to mark at the sprint. Maybe there is something in the name of Javier that makes great sprinters.

At Sumners Ponds I went for a latte (and a scone with cream and jam). I didn't feel the need to disclose the effect caffeine has in my performance. They didn't disclose the effect the cakes they devoured had either so it was all a level playing field. 

We took on Box Hill as the final climb. I thought it was a nicer hill to show off than Juniper. Nice stop at the top to admire the scenery (the real reason being to recover my legs) and the first challenge appeared.

My di2 ran out of battery, I was stuck in the small chainring. A bit of a setback if you want to take the Horton roundabouts sprint. 

But you know me. A man of infinite resources and capable of coming out with a winning strategy even in the most adverse circumstances.

As soon as we left Epson I told them "this section is a bit tricky to navigate with so many roundabouts, let me lead the way" (notice the detail that I didn't mention how many roundabouts we had to pass. genius touch).

What a clever move. They all agreed thinking that would be me killing myself at the front. 

And I pretended to work hard. At the very least I was pedalling fast. But I was taking every roundabout with care, showing them the way. Making sure they got the impression the line was still far away. Looking back to see who was still in contention. A bit worried seeing all three were still there. Javier very well situated at the back of the group. Not looking good for me. 

I did the same in the last roundabout. Approached it with care, got out of it without pushing it too hard. I knew there was a slight downhill section before the finish line. It was critical to keep them thinking the sprint was still far away. I knew they were ready to sprint and I wouldn't beat any of them on my small chainring.

About 30 metres from the line I increased my cadence, looked back and I saw a gap opening. I took them completely by surprise. 

I looked back again and I saw I had time to celebrate. Arms in the air, smile in my face, satisfaction in my soul. Nice and easy win.

They complained saying I wasn't clear explaining where the line was but I put it down to the typical Spanish bad loser attitude. How quickly they had forgotten how fair I was explaining all the details about the Esher sprint.

Can't wait to ride with my British friends, they are much better at losing sprints.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/15387980356 

Take care of yourself

Javier Arias González