New Years Eve was a mild windy morning when five brave souls turned up to contest the annual EGCC Downhiill Championship on the technical Tilburstow Hill course.
The last minute training over Christmas had no effect for some known only as ‘lightweights’.
Defending champion Richard Woodward was first to hurl himself down the hill in his familiar ‘kamikaze aero tuck position’ – now banned by the UCI but allowed in club contests in the UK. Richard reached 44.4mph on his decent, a lucky gust of wind [or was it the previous nights curry] taking him ‘over the top’ of the finish area and clean into the ‘Godstone Road’ a sight not seen since the heyday of Will ‘Gutbucket’ Wates.
Former two time Champion Paul Winkley was next, he too went ‘over the top’ into the Godstone Road but had foolishly recently done some ‘cycling’ which cost him vital pounds falling short of Woodward’s mark by 10 metres.
Next came Ted Boorman and Steve Dennis whose combined weight would have been no match for either Woodward or Winkley. Last hope was John Geal with a confident Woodward now half way through his first burger of the day – you have to admire the way this man trains so hard having just raced! John again was well short of the mark.
The riders and race helpers then retired to Godstone Vineyards for post race refreshments and perhaps some early training for next year.
My thanks again to the Blackmores for officiating.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
PW
PS it has just been announced that in the post race dope test Woodward has tested positive for L A R D we await the results of the ‘B’ sample
