I’m in the money.. <\/p>\n
Glenvale today saw the ‘I’m feeling guilty I haven’t done much riding this week due to the storms’ racers rock up. <\/p>\n
The weather was fine so numbers seemed high in all grades.<\/p>\n
My race was all about positioning again and this week I made damn sure I did bugger-all work. I was staying up near the front and watching people go – I wasn’t going to chase! I’d hit the front, do a half-arse turn (no one seemed to care, we were getting passed by D grade!) and then roll over. Often no one would take up the lead anyway. It was a very slack start for most of the field.<\/p>\n
A break went away at some point (half way?) with three riders. Later on, I saw the two riders get picked up. Yes, two riders. I didn’t make the connection that there was another rider still out there. Even if I did, this is C grade, there’s no way a solo rider can stay out alone for the end of the race, or so I thought.. <\/p>\n
C grade backed off as D grade had their final lap and then the speed went back up. I kept fighting to hold a good postition. It did seem relatively easy this week with people not wanting the front wheel and what not. Perhaps I’m just getting better at it?<\/p>\n
Final lap and I’m in prime position, 3rd wheel. I just know I’m going to do well today.<\/p>\n
Before the final corner, everyone gets cagey and slows down, no one wants to be a leadout..<\/p>\n
Someone jumps and I take their wheel. It’s messy and bunched up behind me but I’m too busy to notice. <\/p>\n
I find another wheel, a pair of riders on the right, and move over to get on. It seems like I’m going to pass them so I don’t move across all the way, fearing being boxed in by riders coming up on my left, I hang out in the wind down the straight. It turns out I can’t pass them and that’s how we finish, the two riders then me, just beating another guy for third. <\/p>\n
I claim third and a spectating rider queries me on what gear I was pushing in the sprint.. “it looked BIG mate!”. <\/p>\n
Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
I end up hanging around taking photos of A and B grades. <\/p>\n
Spotting rickster I tell him of finally placing! <\/p>\n
“Third in the bunch sprint?” he asks. <\/p>\n
“Yeah”<\/p>\n
“Ah, you actually got 4th, this guy here was half a lap in front of the bunch” he says pointing to a Kelme-kitted dude.<\/p>\n
“What the hell?! Half a lap?! So I don’t place after all? Ahhh!! FUUUUCCCCCKK!!!”<\/p>\n
“They pay 4th place” he says.<\/p>\n
“Really? Oh well, that’s kinda okay, I guess, maybe..”<\/p>\n
So I score $30 and a massage voucher for racing to 4th place. <\/p>\n
I’m pretty sure Kelme-dude will be in B-grade after this and if he’s not I’ll be questioning Carnegie’s ranking procedures! <\/p>\n
I’ve got to hang onto wheels for longer too – I tend to overestimate my ability to pass at the end of a race (especially when riding into a head wind).<\/p>\n
Mal’s Words:<\/p>\n
Curtis Yirildirim escaped the C Grade bunch in the opening laps, and spent much of the first half of the race alone at an impressive pace. Eventually, his escape came to an end, and after a brief regrouping Josh Morrison (Burnley Finance) powered away, and held off the chase to record a convincing win.<\/p>\n
Greg Hunter led the chasers home, from John Sheard (Pro-Motion Bicycles) and Stuart Birnie (Croydon Cycleworks). Lisa Friend (Bianchi) was too good for a strong Women’s contingent, out kicking Michelle Murrell and Andrea Bishop in the dash to the line.<\/i><\/p>\n
from: www.carnegiecycling.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’m in the money.. Glenvale today saw the ‘I’m feeling guilty I haven’t done much riding this week due to the storms’ racers rock up. The weather was fine so numbers seemed high in all grades. My race was all … Continue reading