Imperial Winter Series Race 6/12

Cold but a lot less wind today as around 40 lined up for the start.  The absence of a strong headwind made it more promising for break aways and a few tried it.  The best effort from my vantage point was from Gavin Percy of DNA Cycles who accelerated away from the pack half way through the race as though he really meant it.  He was joined by two more.  Another with me on his wheel tried to make it 5 but the bunch were closing fast so the orginal 3 sat up.  The 3rd cats did catch us today; again it took a while for them to squeeze by and we then coasted around for a couple of laps to create enough space for us to sprint into and while the few who had sailed into the 3rd cat bunch were ordered back.  There were perhaps as a result too many fresh legs for the sprint.  On the last lap at the back straight two riders were forced off the track onto the grass bank but demonstrated sufficient bike handling skills to remain upright.  Further trouble came in the closing sprint with a pile up towards the rear of the bunch just in front of me.  There was talk of a tyre burst but I heard the loud crack or bang during the pile up not just before it.
Frighteningly we are now already half way through the series.  I hope to do them all this year.
Average speed 23.3mph today but this includes the neutralised period to create the gap between the races.  Proper racing was 21.6m in 54m22s, equivalent to 23.8mph.