Stage One.
The first hour of racing was basically flat with a few undulations, but you couldn’t really
feel them as the peloton was 120 riders strong and I mean strong. The pace basically stayed at
around 47km/hr, which in a peloton you can sit in reasonably comfortably or attack at 55km/hr
and find it really hard. But this didn’t stop everyone from being a hero and having a go!
After about an hour a few groups started to get gaps which was a sign that fatigue was setting
in due to the intensity, a group of 15 cleared the front by 30 seconds and looked really strong
and started to get some time on the peloton. We approached an open cross wind section which
ascended a large bridge spanning a rather wide river-estuary. A couple of riders hit out over the
bridge toward the front group, which created an echelon into the gutter, the 120 man peloton
went single file and I had positioned myself about 25th wheel in the group, I was protected up
the bridge and down the other side as it all started to open up.
There were not any real gaps, but the peloton was a massive single file line so I could see faces
hurting as riders attempted to get a wheel in front of them. A followed a move of 10 riders as
we rode off the front momentarily only to get caught, as soon as we were caught I hit out into
the right gutter with the wind coming on my left. I immediately got a gap as the riders that
were in front of me were spent from working and the riders behind me were cooked from
chasing. A golden opportunity.
I had a look behind me as I had my effort in the gutter, to see an ISD-Neri rider bridge across to
me, I moved out of the gutter to give him a sit as I would need him to get across to the front 15
or so, after another 20secs I swung off and he RIPPED through. Horse! I rolled with him and we
got across after 3k of chasing flat out. I had my HR at 185 for the bridging across effort, whilst
my HR max is 191! That’s an operating capacity of around 97% of my max HR. I was in a box, so
to speak.
Once we got there the group kindly started to look at each other and allowed the peloton to
catch us after 5km of intermittent working, basically the group was too big to warrant an all in
effort. That was basically the highlight of my day…
We had agreed that if there was a sprint I would lead out Haider, our sprinter, in the final. This
is what it ended up coming down to after a massive effort from the 2009 Australian Road
Champion, Peter McDonald, in breaking away solo for a big part of the race. Impressive.
We had our team lined up with 10k to go as the trains all began to lift the pace. If you haven’t
got a decent train, then life is real difficult here. I was positioned at the front coming into the
final 2km’s with Loh in front keeping me out of the wind and Haider trying to get my wheel. I
got to around 20th position with a kilometer to go, but was boxed in. I was looking for Haider so
I could create a path for him but he wasn’t there. I managed to get through a few riders and
finish 13th in the kick. It was a little disappointing as I think with Haiders speed and my 30’s
effort we would be able to achieve a much better result. Still he has to put faith in me leading
him out as he has never had this assistance before in the final.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I will be looking for a break and as a second option I
will be on lead out duties for our sprinter again. We also have a Chinese rider contesting the
small hill climbs for the king of the mountains competition, so I may be assisting here also. Can’t
wait! The best thing is that a Buddhist (Loh) is leading out me, whilst I am taking Haider (a
Muslim) to the line. A multicultural exception to the exclusive conception of assimilation? I
think so. Loving it!
Thanks for reading. B