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For the first time ever, we had to race time trial to determine the starting grid for the race. This was held on Saturday afternoon, and consisted of 1 lap on the course. I am typically pretty bad when I have to race against the clock, so I was not surprised to finish back in 46th place. Marco Bui, 1999 U23 champion won about 55sec ahead of myself and our best rider was Cadel in 5th.
When the rain started falling just minutes before the main event on Sunday, I was secretly hopeful that it might help me quite much. In Dunedin, my home town, we have no shortage of rain, or greasy single track for that matter, so I am always quite comfortable in these conditions! The start was 2 laps on a very short open loop, and I managed to place my self well coming into the first climb. The field stretched out and I was in about 23rd over the first climb. The rain had turned the decents into a bob sled course, and many of the riders who had chosen to ride slick tires were literally sliding off it! Christoph had a huge crash. I just saw him sitting on the side of the track as I shot by, but he actually continued on and still ended up very well.
By the 3rd lap (of 6) I was in the top 15, despite having to stop for chain suck and also a dropped chain, and feeling really good. I was suddenly feeling very confident for a top 10 and when Roland Green (Trek) stomped by me I stuck to his wheel hoping to get an easy ride. One lap later on a decent my chain got jammed over the rear and it took me a good 20sec to get it untangled. I was so frustrated at having to stop over and over, having to regain my rhythm and try to pull back the riders that I had just spent a whole lap getting away from! Physiologically this blew me, and I never regained my rhythm fully. By the last lap my energy levels also seemed completely spent and riders started passing me. I fought with everything I had and held on to 23rd by the finish.
Now its all go for Sarintino, the next world cup in 5 weeks time. Its
probably my favorite course on the circuit and I will have lucky number 23!
(this ones going to be for you Captain!)
Full results on UCI site
Solano Road Tour
As there was a one week gap between SeaOtter and Napa this year, we found a
race nearby to compete in to keep our legs sharp. The Solano Road tour
fitted in perfectly as it was just 30min drive from Napa, and had 4 good
stages. We began with a 21km time trial starting in the back of a giant
military aircraft! The course was perfectly flat and very windy, which did
not help my performance much! Basically I completely sucked finishing about
90th!
Day 2 was 150km. About half way we hit some strong side winds, just as a big
group got away. I got caught sleeping at the back of the bunch and had to
chase down a lot of big gaps. At one point I had the group about 30m in
front for at least 2km and I almost gave up, then Charlie and Benoit pulled
up in the Volvo, saying "get on!" so I did a bit of illegal mote pacing to
finally make it onto the group. So now I know how it works in these road
races!!! I managed to hang in there till the finish, but I decided after the
race that my work was done, and so I pulled out of the tour to start
recovering for Napa. It was a good day for Christoph though, as he rode very
comfortable in the front the whole way, which was the first sign of good
form this year. He will be one to watch for in Napa next weekend I am sure.
SeaOtter Classic (23-25th March)
TimeTrial
This was our first chance to really test the new bikes in a race situation.
Although my time and placing was not great, I did feel good on the bike! The
track here is particularly rough, mostly caused by braking bumps. Having the
rear suspension really helped to keep the speed through these sections, and
then in the climbs I could lock out the shock to avoid any wasted energy.
Criterium
The course is just a 2km, double track loop, which has a rough climb on one
side, and a twisty decent on the other, with a nice double jump to negotiate
along the way. Criteriums (or Short Track as it sometimes called) is always
a really intensive race. The total race time is just 20-30 min, which means
the speed gets much higher!
There was no exception here either, as I got jostled backwards in the chaos
of the start. I was back in the 30s, completely out of breath, fighting to
pull back riders. The lead group of 5 had a small gap, and then the rest of
the group stretched out, like long colorful snake twisting around the
course. Then I started to actually feel some good speed in my legs and
passed a lot of riders reaching 14th place. But then on the final 2 laps my
legs died and I got passed back by about 6 riders.
Cross-Country
We started with a sections the Laguna Saca Race way, up a rather steep and
fast climb before hitting the 25km of mostly rolling single track course. I
was in a good position before dropping my chain early on. After 15min there
was 10 riders off the front and then scattered groups. I was feeling good in
a group of 6 in about 20-25th, but it would have been stupid to try to catch
up with the front group myself. After the first of the two laps, I increased
the tempo, and rode with Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain) and Liam Killen
(GreatBritian) to try and catch some riders. We pulled them in slowly, and
then with half a lap remaining Steve Larson came past us like a rocket, and
I just managed to hang onto his wheel while he reeled in some more riders.
By the final climb we had caught a big bunch and my legs were feeling
strong. I jumped away from the small group I was in and ended up 8th, just
ahead of Swedish National Champion, Henrik Sprark.
My overall placing was 11th, my best in the 4 years I have competed here!
posted by
jeff lyall
4/9/2001 07:48:09 PM