It seems that the RoadCyclingUK.com jerseys, which have been flying out of the office faster than we can cope with, are proving to be something of a speed boost for those racing in them. We fear that the UCI may soon launch an investigation into their ability to grace the rider with an extra dose of the fast stuff, so you might want to buy one quick before they’re added to the banned list.

If you too are experiencing some success in your RCUK jersey, don’t hesitate to send them in. Email your story to [email protected] and we’ll begin a collection of nationwide RCUK victories.

At the recent Ottershaw road race in Surrey, Magicalia’s publisher for the bike group, Simon Whiten, rode himself into fifth place. We’re awaiting lab reports to find out whether the jersey made a difference…

Until then, Simon Brooks (VcStRaphael) fills us in on the race as it unfolded, in gloriously wet conditions: “Martin Smith (Team Milton Keynes), took two wins in two weeks. In the first of the 3 Ottershaw series, conditions began wet and only got wetter as the race continued. The opening five and a half laps were on a larger circuit, followed by five and a half laps on a smaller circuit. “

“The opening laps were largely uneventful, except if you were one of the two or three riders who came down on lap two or three. Matt Melville earned the ‘Most Aggressive Rider’ award by attacking at the foot of each short climb, but no break established itself on the larger circuit. “

”Once on the smaller circuit the most dangerous move saw Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) Simon Brooks (Vc St Raphael) and Martin Smith (Team Milton Keynes) go clear. Smith was unable to drive through (in his own words he was not as strong as normal) and with plenty of riders happy to drive the bunch the trio were absorbed by the rest.”

Simon Brooks, with three laps remaining attacked and went alone. As he crossed the line Matt Melville got across to him, but Melville’s effort cost him and he was unable to hold the pace. Brooks never managed to get more than 20 seconds ahead, and with little over a lap to go the bunch had chased him down. The last lap saw a number of short lived attacks, all marked carefully by Smith who went on to win in a bunch gallop. He showed that not even at his best he has the ability to read the race and bunch sprint to take the honours.

Full results