After a good week of training, race day rolled around... Turning up to support and help partner Kristie and good mates Emma and Craig in the age group races in the morning I didn't envy them, cold winds, rain falling, and a slippery track. They all did well while I huddled under the ezi up trying to keep warm.
The rain eased then stopped in time for the afternoon race. After a shocking start and leaving the start loop in all but last spot (20th) I set to work right away. It bottle necked at a double creek crossing and i was off and running gaining a few spots... I settled in for the first lap, found a rythmn and kept standing on the pedals, crossing the line in 16th after the first lap... I pushed hard and made ground on laps two and three but got stuck on the climb and the decent following wheels where i should have got a little more mongrel and muscled my way past. I ended up having a good battle with a couple of local boys, with Logan doing a pretty funny dance on the side of the track due to cramp! Eventually I crossed the line in ninth to finish about 12mins down on winner Carl, but I finished and didn't get lapped out, so I'm pretty happy.It's clear I still have a lot to learn about racing at elite level, it's a huge step up from age group racing. The intensity and speed is truly eye opening, while I''m gasping for air, others find another gear... This was only my second race of the year, so as the season continues and I get more racing into the legs I should see some good improvements.
Really happy with a top 10 result and even picked up 2 UCI points HAHA
Looking forward to heading up to Nelson for the Nationals.... a race I know will hurt.
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