Race report by Brendan

Well I was keen as mustard to get this race underway as I had scoped the course the day before and was happy enough with the smooth tarmac with exception of start/finish straight (made a mental note not to a “foxy”).

Once arrived and caught up with everyone I went and registered and set up the bike and headed off for a warm up and caught Brett so we scoped out the small hills and headed back to get my fluid organised and race fuel as A grade was off first.

Once we set off it was pretty tame until the tail wind section some guys had a brain freeze and attacked but nothing stuck and several attacks started from lap 1 onwards. Pretty much pace was on in teh tail wind secton consistantly high 50kmphr in the back tail wind and high 30’s low 40’s in the tail wind ensured various attacks were doomed. My aim was to get into a break and stay away but I pretty much was in every one but none stuck as the bunch always reacted before we got too far in front, although by midway the field was wittled down considerably but I stuck with teh aim of staying the top 3-8 riders so if a move went I was there.

As I race with Cyclemania team (we had 3 in the race as 1 couldnt make it) myself and John ensured everyone stayed on their toes by smashing the back hill and where posisble the head wind rolling hills, we even managed to get away together at one point for half a lap but apparently the guys didnt like us two getting away and Plan B hauled us back.

I was stoked how I was feeling considering how hard I was riding and attacking knowing we still had Chris sitting the pack with 3 laps to go Chris joined in with a big surge that shelled another 6 or so riders.

With the eventual winner attacking on the back hill with 2 to go I bridged up with a ECU rider shortly after but only lasted to teh end of teh tail wind section before once again being brought back, We even had a laugh while in the breakaway as they wanted to make sure no Ausie Crates guys we going to finish with us. Which brings me to another point with there “team manager” pulling up next to the bunch doing 50plus in the tail wind shouting what the guys should and shouldnt be doing, he got told pretty quick to knick off, some people have no idea as later on he was handing water out on the back staright even though there were no feed/water stations allowed in the race but luckily several other riders complained to the commisaire, fair dinkum the course was small enough as it was..

SO onto the last lap and feeling itchy to get away knowing my chances of out sprinting guys like Eddy were very slim on a downhill sprint!
Then just as we started to slow on the last head wind hill the Elite cycles guy jumped throwing everything at it I knew it was now or never, It took me till the top of the hill to bridge to him and we were at max speed smashing down to the bottom corner, affording a sneak back at the bunch they never reacted, right on!

So turning the corner we hit the back hill with everything until half way up my thigh went no-no time to rest and a vicous cramp set in so I yelled at Logon to go go go, so off he went and turning into the tail wind I was dubious he would hold it.

The bunch turned the corner as I was smacking my leg and doing all I could so that they wouldnt blow straight past me at warp speed. I managed to get into the line about 5th wheel and gritting the teeth trying to spin the gear and not push too much as I could feel that cramp just lurking there waiting to bite again we crested the hill and no one was interetsed in attacking and were content to let Plan B bring it home and it was then I realised Logon wasnt going to be caught! After thinking some bad thoughts and visualy kicking myself and cursing my stupid leg for cramping I settled in for my back up plan, look for a good wheel that I may be able to follow in the sprint hoping I could do one last effort…

Managed this and just couldnt push enough but managed to give Chris a small leadout back up to teh guys and he went on to get 8th and in the money, while I rolled in 10meters behind for 9th with John my other teammate 11th so reasonably hapy but also rather annoyed ruing my missed chance to sprint for a win!

Full marks to Logon from Elite as his plan worked to perfection and thoroughly deserved the win as he rode strongly all day. But at least the racing legs are coming with A grade finaly after building for so long and doing bits at a time so no injuries or sickness took over me.
One thing I can recommend to everyone dont overdo it in the training as t will catch up you and never in a nice way 🙁

So very happy we had a reasonable turn out for South Perth Cycling Club with some results to boot, next race we should aim on getting more to the start line as it is a blast mixing it up in the racing scene and you never stop learning different tactics etc, as Pete stated our saturday ride in probably faster than C grade at times so come on and give it a go 🙂

 

So final thoughts on the course er um well too small for my liking but in saying that we needed another couple of laps in A grade to sort some final riders out and very congested with everyone but bar B grades Sandpit excursion not too unsafe although on corner 2 coming around at 40plus with another car coming the other way makes you pray you wont slide at times 🙂

 

So congrads to all good effort al round I say 🙂

Bring on Collie and Menzies Classic.