After discussion with the team, the Kalaunda stage was my best opportunity for a good stage, prior to the tour my climbing was the best it’s been, my data suggested i should be able to stay with the front bunch.
The roll out of town in the neutral zone was tense but far better than last year, its a fantastic energy in a peleton 150+ in size, the speed…the noise is fantastic.
The neutral finished the pace lifted slightly but i was sitting comfortably, the pace over Patterson and the other toward the wheatbix factory was quick but sustainable. keep at the front, use the descents and ride smartly!
By the third lap lots of faces in the peleton started looking a little uncomfortable and individuals were drifting off the back…still feeling good i had my hopes up the peleton would steadily shrink and i could hide myself away following wheels and staying out of trouble.
Lap 4, disaster, shocking cramps with little warning, i quickly pulled left out of the way and tried not to fall off my bike as my legs wouldn’t work….i watched the peleton roll away as i stretched for 10mins hoping to release the cramp monsters grip on my hamstrings.
Cycling is a rough sport, its all or nothing, your in the pack rolling at 50 or struggling along by yourself at 30k’s wondering if you should pull out.
Luckily a small groupetto (the dropped racers’ that are keen to ride tempo to the finish, happy to have a chat and all’s well as long as you make the time cut) rolled up the hill so i jumped on with them and it became a shit game of managing the cramps for 60k’s to the finish.
i finished inside the time cut, worn out and gutted the stage went so poorly.
Race data shows the race (the bit i was in) was solid but within my abilities, no idea why i suffered the cramps and i can only hope they don’t bother me for the next two days.
Live and learn, after discussing the race with Brad Hall i was reminded that we race these to test and develop ourselves and, for me, i believe a very short taper suits far better than the easy 4 days i had before the start of the tour and ill adjust in future, i may have ‘gone off the boil’!
SPR’s/Dome Coffee’s Dave hind had an amazing race finishing 7th against the country’s best, they’re in trouble if he every chooses to dedicate himself to road cycling!
I have to say thanks to the teams sponsors!
Logic Networks Australia – Respiratory West – Industry Mates – Steadyrack – Momentum Health Solutions – Muzz Buzz – Terrain Dynamics – Unicorn Brewery – Hall Cycling Training