Credit: PM Photography

SOLID, would be a good word to summarise the U23 race. Let me quickly describe the course format for you. Start in Bunninyong, head straight up a 1km climb, gradual but hurts take a left at the crest of the climb to a 50m false flat to then again kick up sharper for another 1km, once you have busted your guts to get over this in the main field it's basically plain sailing at speed on undulating terrain and a nice tight decent, another lefthander brings you back onto the main road for another fast decent for the finish line.

So how did I go? I had no team to speak of to work with and just had to settle in the large crowd of SA.com riders and Team Drapac and had to consolidate. I stuck to my guns and worked hard when I needed to. We had 12 laps of a 10.2km course. The race was relatively uneventful, once a SA.com or Drapac rider got in a break the race was shut down. Eight laps in, I had finished a bottle and Mum (AKA DOT) was in the feed zone offering me a fresh bottle, I exchanged bottles and in the process the pack attacked, I immediately was on the back foot being forced to chase hard on the second pinch attempting to draft of support cars and get back on. At the last pinch there was a 20m gap – at the field was being blown apart. I dug deep but could not pull it back by myself. I just had to consolidate and chase. I spent 2 laps chasing and then was pulled with two to go. So who was my race? Good training. I gave it a good shot and have no huge regrets, I am happy to have participated and give it a good stab.

This race was just a training exercise for myself, I was running a Power Tap (power meter) so I have gained some good info from the power output over the 3hrs I raced.

Cheers All,

James Maebus