SKCC Crits - Getting close..

Sun 4 Dec: With quite a number of mates riding the Tour of Bright, I wasn't sure what to expect at the local SKCC crits. No track this weekend, and with the slow taper going into States next weekend, I was only down to ride one race today. Had a stack out training the day before, and was still feeling a little sore and bruised in the hip. Bike working, legs working - no biggie. 


10 or so riders in A grade - more new faces - definitely bigger than expected for a ToB weekend. Two weeks of finishing 3rd and just out of the money, I was certainly keen to have a go at a place.  The wind was howling today, and a massive headwind on the finishing straight too. 

Taking a corner (Photo by RobM)

Like the usual - the pace was on/off. Attack..easy..attack..easy. With the headwind, I wasn't too worried about the solo breaks getting too far off - it would have taken a really strong TT rider to break off from the bunch. I had forgotten to start my Garmin, only realising a third through the race, and had no idea how much time we had left on the clock. It was difficult to plan an attacking strategy, and I could only trust my instinct and kept a constant eye on the commisaire's sign each time we rolled past. With a slightly sore hip, wasn't going to try anything today. 


3 laps to go - and the pace picked up. A few attempted breaks - but patience, patience, patience. Bell lap. I had gotten caught up the back, and no choice but to move up alongside the bunch. In that last lap, the burning question is always when do I jump? ... "Now? Wait? Now? Wait?" 


Came out 5th wheel out of the last corner and sprinted for the line - again, trying to chase down the riders that had already gone off in front.  Rider in front had slowed down, saw a gap and went through. Finished 2nd - finally in the money! Again, had started a bit late on the sprint - they say it all comes with experience, and I'll work to getting the timing right - one day. 

Final sprint - chasing down the sprinter in front (Photo by RobM)

No 2nd race this week - was still a little sore and went for a spin down with training mate Chloe instead. With the music, crowd and commentator - the atmosphere at the SKCC crits are great fun - and certainly look forward to racing there each week. But some busy weeks planned ahead, and will be back next year. 


Meanwhile, it's back to the track coming weekend for the State Titles - 500TT, Individual Pursuit and Points Score. Then racing the National Omnium next Thurs/Fri. Some pretty big guns have entered - will certainly be a full on 2 days - and heaps of learning experience. Come down to DISC to watch if you can - there'll certainly be some exciting racing going on those 2 days. :)