Italo Trophy Race & Damian Mcdonald Memorial Race

22-23 Sept 2012:

What a weekend! It sure has been a while since I’ve raced back to back. Flu’s gone now (well fingers crossed!) and time to rebuild the strength again.

Perfect cycling weather!! 

NCC Italo Trophy Race

Saturday – NorthernCombine Italo Trophy Race at Newham. It was great to be finally back racing with the Northern Combine, albeit a bit late in the season with only a few more races left on the calendar. It’s weird how quickly you lose the knack of racing, from pre-race preparation to holding your nerves together. A little disorganised and had totally forgotten my sunnies that morning – lucky a spare casual one in the car did the job.

60km race, mixed in with the D grade men. Most of the women were racing the Midlands Tours in Anglesea, so no women’s placing today – time to ‘man up’ against the big boys. The race started off at a fairly moderate pace, but once we had descended into the Lancefield, the bigger boys started driving the pace. A break of 2 tried to get away but were soon caught as we started the gradual drag up Dons Road. Boy, it wasn’t even all that steep, but was I panting up that rise! Phew, made it through with the boys – onto lap 2 of the circuit. Less surges this time round, but it was a solid pace all the way through. Round the flat section up the back road, some guys were starting to put the hammer down, shedding a few off the back. The 2^nd time up Dons Road was where the decisive move was. The final kick before the fast descend into the finish, and I just didn’t quite have the positioning or the legs to follow through. Chased but only managed a finish a hundred metres or so behind from the main group.

It certainly is surprising how much fitness you lose from a nasty bug, nonetheless, it was great to be back on the bike racing again. And awesome weather for it too! Thanks to all the volunteers and the Italo club for hosting the race. As I was returning my number, the rego lady said – “Hey, you won here last year – nothing this year?”. A sheepish smile as I replied – “Nah, not today. Will be back next year!”

Link to race: http://www.northerncombinecycling.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=39&Itemid=54

Damian Mcdonald Memorial Road Race

Sunday – Damian Mcdonald Memorial RoadRace. After much convincing from the ever supportive Blackburn Cycling Club, I put a last minute entry into the race. 

I was still pretty knackered from the day before, nonetheless, the beautiful weather, stunning scenery, great atmosphere and my Quickcycle buddies’ all looking ready and excited for the racing – that certainly put a smile on my face. With only 5 of us in Women’s A Grade battling for 3 spots, we were combined with Men’s C Grade and the top age U17 boys.

Our race was the 73km race round the pondage loop and up the Skyline loop. The bigger bunch with the boys meant a pretty solid pace right from the start. The women were content with sitting in behind the 6.5 feet boys getting as much shelter as we could – it was evident that it was Skyline that would break us apart.

The first kicker up the 6.6km climb shattered the group to pieces. Amy took off with the front group followed by Rachel just off the mark, leaving Ruby, Renee and myself straggling behind. I was certainly in no climbing form at all – and was using every ounce of effort to pull my heavy legs up. Had it been another route, I certainly would have cracked – but it was knowing the length (and pain!) of the hill was that managed to pull me through.

Renee had caught up and we managed to work for a bit together to catch Ruby who kept on disappearing round the corners. Nonetheless, once we hit the final climb, I took off in pursuit of Ruby. I caught up on the descend and flew down taking the corners as fast as I could. Once hitting the base, I was alone. I had somehow talked myself into doing the long solo ride back to Eildon – I had done it earlier in the season – I wasn’t sure what sprint form I was in for a bunch finish, and thus it was decided, I’d have a crack at a TT today. I knew Amy and Rachel were long gone, but there was still 3^rd place up for grabs.

A few glances back and there was no other rider in sight – time to go solo. Switched to TT mode, and drove everything into the pedals. Words of advice from one of the volunteers the day before kept ringing in my head: “Race to the best of your abilities no matter what form you are in. Give everything you have, leave everything out on the road – that way you’ll be content.” And those words kept pushing me through as I focused every effort into driving the pedals.

Once I hit Thornton with 15ks to go, and still with no one in sight, I kept pushing on. Cars passed. 10ks to go. Just push on. More cars passed. 5ks to go, and any breakaway rider’s biggest fear, a chasing bunch of 5 had caught up!! It was mixed group of riders from another grade that had caught on and in there was both Renee and Ruby – both sprinters!  My heart sank.

As I rolled a few turns my legs were starting to go wobbly and I could just feel the calves cramping up – the stop start pace wasn’t doing them any good. I tried to get as much fluid in – any food at this stage of the race wasn’t any good. 2 of them jumped in the last 3ks holding a break of about 50m or so.  Nonetheless, we were content with the gap, and with about 1.5ks to go we jumped on – it was now going to be a bunch sprint.

“Leave everything out there.” Those words were still ringing in my ears. Forget the pain, adrenaline was now taking over. A slight uphill going into the roundabout with about 400m to go – another guy from another grade was leading us girls out. I was on Ruby’s wheel and could just feel Renee trying to coming round the outside. I waited. Ruby jumped, I hung on, before kicking to take the bunch sprint for 3^rd place.

I had certainly left everything out on the road today and was happy with my efforts. Congratulations to both Amy and Rachel to took 1^st and 2^nd respectively – standing on the podium with the stunning mountains in the backdrop with them was a bonus!

A big thanks to all the volunteers at BBN and event sponsors for the fantastic organisation of the race – there was even a village atmosphere at the finish fully propped up with marquees and banners – and the much needed massage table too! A fantastic weekend of racing - and big thanks to: my team sponsors SKCC/Giant for their support, the guys at BikeNow for getting my bikes ready in time for this weekend’s racing, and Simon for his constant support of us Quickcycle riders. Just counting down the weeks to the start of the criterium season now!   

Link to race: http://damianmcdonaldmemorial.blogspot.com.au/
(More photos soon...)  

Stoked with the 3rd place finish!

Golf - the new recovery sport after racing! =)