Thing is, I know for sure that buying some 404's (Zipps) will make me a bit quicker, they will, its fact. I also know that my frame is flexible and I'm losing a small amount of power on sprints, that again is obvious. So I plan to rectify these things, and if in that package I can get a more efficent group set then so be it.

I'm very logical, and not so much driven by impulse and desire, which is probably why I'm looking at Canyon, they're no Pinarello in the looks dept, but if Gilbert can win on the aeroad frame, then I sodding can. Once you've got a pro level frame, pro level wheels, like 404's then really assuming you hve ultegra or similar is down to you.

But in the same breath I have few doubts that I could have won that race on an allez with tiagra, assuming it had decent tyres.

I don't follow?

The race was 2 mph faster than the one the weekend before, without sounding big headed I've just been riding at a higher level, and the people I train with are of a higher level than most. As they say, the quickest way to get better at something is to train with people faster than you.

As I mention in the blog, we have some bloody fast guys in our club (one of the chaps who doesn't race, but is a tt rider would be able to ride away from that race from the gun and they'd never see him again, he has won the 3 lap challenge for the last three years), and riding with them certainly is a struggle, and makes riding with the types of riders that were in the field Saturday a relative doddle. Jason (the other guy next to me) usually gets dropped on our chain gang, so really if anything I should have beaten him by a hell of a lot more, but thats the way it goes on the day I guess.

Cat 3 will probably be a better match I would hope. But I do think something like hillingdon suits a more powerful rider, put me on a hilly road course and I'd probably not get a top 10 at cat 4 level.

As I've mentioned on other threads, I have the Tarmac SL3 and think it is a very quick bike as standard, which could be made into something lethal with new wheels. Others think that it is over priced compared to Canyon et al but I like the porno looks and the extra bling factor! (My belief is that the carbon weave is also better on the Tarmac, but I have no technical proof of this.)

Yes I am in tomorrow. Just cleared man flu though so not going to be 100% (may as well get the excuses in early)

I hope all riders take note of what happened last week and make an effort!!

See you tomorrow Rob.

Go careful out there chaps. It could be pretty slippery.

Quite, awesome ride mate!

Looked around for you afterwards but you had already gone, gave you a shout at the finish.

Come on!!! Did you win again?!

It was very close on the line, it was between yourself and the guy on the inside and I would say you edged it. Looked like you came fron a fair way back on the final lap?

Don't you win a prize or something?

How come they don't tell you if you win...? No podium ceremony, girls, champagne?!

P.S. well done