As we waited at the start I made small comment to ‘coffee boy’ who looked withdrawn and a little flat (duh), and my comment went unresponded. My group’s start was un-awesome, we missed the first turn to head out of town and had to double-back – no idea what the marshal was doing. The pace for the first few kilometres was very Sunday strolling-like, despite my verbal harassment and gesticulations. Except for a few riders, there appeared to be a general lack of will to ride hard and take a chance to win. Disappointment and frustration so early in the race was not a good sign. However, the first significant hill just 7km out of town created a break by the only four riders of the group who had showed any willingness to work in the first stages. We soon formed an informal alliance, and rolled through toward Donnybrook in tight formation and shared workload, gaining good time ahead of our 24min remnant group. The only distractions along the way were dropping my first Carboshotz tube, eliciting a few tasty words (and the amusing thought that somebody in a following bunch might ride over it and squirt against adjacent rider – hoho – the things that amuse), and the panting and clunking from the No 83 rider/bike combination.

Exhortations to the group that our 24min handicap ‘must not be wasted’ and is a “chance of a lifetime” may (or not) have been a little dramatic, and may (or not) have had some effect on the group, but we had “jelled”! We were riding well and we certainly had a chance! We glimpsed a big group in front of us, about 8km from Donnybrook, and although we expected to catch them soon, it wasn’t until the turn-around at Donnybrook that we finally latched on. I don’t know what other groups thought about our big group’s lead margin as we crossed paths on the return journey out of Donnybrook, but the time gaps seemed pretty good to me! Unfortunately I couldn’t catch sight of Pete, Ryan or Brendan, so hoped they were going OK.

Within the newly formed big bunch, the predetermined informal plan of ‘see how we go when we catch the front markers’ brought back the frustrations of the first kilometres out of Collie. Few riders were willing to work, so once again it fell to the four of us, plus Craig Kimpton (nice work Craig) from SWCC and 1 or 2 others to push the pace along and avoid being caught by the back-markers. The generally flat terrain near Donnybrook meant that it was difficult to break away again from the bunch. Somehow, by thought osmosis, the ‘new plan’ to make a break on the hills out of Mumballup was broadcast to the strong and willing. If only somebody had broadcast to me that there was prize money and trophy on offer for the first rider returning to Mumballup. I think I just rolled around the corner in 2nd or 3rd wheel, without any idea of the lost opportunity. Damn.

Anyway, other opportunities presented themselves soon enough. Hills! I just rode nice and solid up the Mumballup hill at the front of the bunch, and before too long, one of the few remaining riders called out that there were only 6 of us – we were it! Woohoo!The six of us included the four original 24min breakways –me, Chris Roberts, Michael Martin and Tom Bakowski (#83) plus Mike Vanduijnhoven (aka Dutch Mike) and Tony Canzurlo from the 28min group. I knew Dutch Mike from my days in Bunbury and was pleased to see him there. Once again the group I was with worked strongly and evenly, although Dutch Mike looked like he was on his limit to stay in touch. Eventually Dutch Mike disappeared, and thoughts started to turn to how to win this thing!

I had no great confidence in winning a sprint to the line, despite that I felt strong and maybe looked stronger than the others appeared to be. Alternate options were necessary. I had noticed a small descent about 5km from Collie on the outward journey and had previously considered that it might be a possible place to try to make a break. However, as the hill approached, it looked small, and the prospect of time-trialling into Collie endeavouring to maintain a 10 second break were not appealling. We stayed together. A small bout of cramps with about 4km to go caused internal alarm. I had drunk plenty, and eaten plenty – hence my general lack of fatigue – but now this – I didn’t need it! A little rest at the back of the group and drink of water provided some relief, but I felt trepidation at recurrence under hard effort of sprinting, especially out of the saddle.

The new new plan was to ‘go’ at the tiny little ascent before the final left turn to the finish. If I could be first at the corner, get a good clear line around the corner – that presented as my best option, I thought. Well, I got it half right. I was first round the corner, and first for much of the final sprint to the finish, but was pipped right near the line, to finish a very close 4th.

On reflection, there are bitter / sweet thoughts. Perhaps I could have done better, but in reality, I just wasn’t good enough. I had scored a generous handicap, and without that ‘head start’ I would probably have never had the opportunity I had. All 3 placegetters ahead of me were ‘day licence’ riders, and there may be a good argument that such riders should not be given such generous handicaps – but in my situation, without them I would never have got as close as I got. We worked really well as a group, and that gave me lots of satisfaction. A good day in the saddle.