Team SPR Misses Podium at Neerabup

Race Report by Chris
WC Masters15-Jun-08 Neerabup 9 Laps
The choice between sleeping in, doing a hills ride or having a race with the old boys. Since I am a bit lazy with my training and not a big fan of hills I let Bruce know that I intended to head out to stretch the legs. Once Bruce committed there was no backing out for me.
The predicted big storm didn't arrive overnight and I was hoping that it had slipped around Perth. A few showers and a reasonable breeze though would make it interesting at the very least.

Not surprisingly there wasn't much of a turnout and both Bruce and I were hoping that there would be enough numbers that B grade didn't get merged with A. Thankfully B had around 12 starters and as we waited for the off the rain began. Beautiful.

Bruce and I spent the first lap up the front, our "plan" was to take things easy and see how we felt. Things started pretty steadily so I wasn't too worried about spending time on the front as long as it wasn't too strenuous.

Bruce and I had discussed tactics prior to the start and neither of us were terribly confident. Anyway we decided that we would see how we were feeling and then later if either of us went up the road the other would try to slow the bunch and cover any chasers.

On the second lap a couple of guys in JCC kit went to the front to up the pace, I covered the move and things were strung out for a little while through the rolling section of the course. One of these guys attacked on the next lap and the bunch let him go, I thought it was way too early for a solo effort with 6 or 7 laps to go. He ended up getting out to about a minute after a couple of laps and we figured we were racing for 2nd place.

There were a few attempts to get away a couple of them I knew weren't going anywhere. Trying to break away with a tail wind or downhill doesn't work in my experience, unless it is a long technical descent. The tail wind section wasn't particularly long and didn't really give you much time to put a decent gap into the field.

Anyway when a former Olympian (not telling what year) has a dig you take notice, I chased after him and caught on. Bob Addy is one strong guy and I have learnt not to let him get away. Anyway we were soon caught by the rest of the bunch, he went again a little later and with another guy got a fair gap on the bunch.

Once they were back in the group, thanks to Bruce and a few of the others I attacked up the first of the inclines at the back of the circuit. The guy who had been away with Bob came with me and we swapped off turns for about 2/3 of a lap before being joined by the group again. I rested up and figured that might be my lot for the day. Once we got back around to the lumpy section things weren't quite as intense as I thought they should be so I went again. This one didn't last too long but had certainly hurt me and hopefully the bunch. I slipped back through the bunch and Bruce moved up towards the front. For a guy who was complaining of not feeling well before the start he put in a big effort driving the bunch along for a while.
By this time I was figuring that we were going to be doing well to have a dip at the finish. We could see C grade up the road and I thought maybe the guy who had been away since the 2nd or 3rd lap. As we crossed the start/finish line the commissaires told us that C grade were on their bell lap (we had 2 to go), I figured we would either chase to get buy them or take it easy and let them have their sprint. We didn't chase but the pace didn't drop significantly.
As we came over the last incline before the start/finish we could see the solo rider ahead of C grade and one of our bunch headed off after him. Personally, I thought this was a bit rude and perhaps the others did too because noone chased. Ettiquete would suggest you leave C grade to finish their race, this guy didn't care and went through their bunch anyway.

So, now we figured we were racing for 3rd. Bummer, bell lap and two guys up the road. With a long drag into the wind for the finish I wasn't confident Bruce or I would be up for much given the work we'd been doing. I made an attempt to thin things out around the back figuring it was better than dying wondering. Others had the same idea and the move was covered and emulated, pain and more pain. "Why am I doing this to myself" I was asking.
About this time the wind really picked up in an almighty gust blowing a shed or some such over in an almighty crash. We didn't know it yet but the drag to the line had just been made a lot tougher. Bob (the Olympian) had gone up the road chasing the two leaders and had latched onto the guy who had gone away on the previous lap.

Up the final incline the pace really dropped off and my ego got the better of me, I figured I could go to the line solo so I attacked as hard as my tired legs would let me. Funnily enough it didn't work, Bruce came by yelling at me to jump on. Yeah right! I slid back to the bunch in a vain attempt to slow the rest of the bunch.

So I jump on and we reel Bruce in the gap to the others is closing and the poor bastard who broke away early gets chewed up and spat out. I tell him well done as I go past, that was a really solid effort. Then the sprint for third begins in earnest Bob and the guy with no ettiquette just manage to hold off the bunch for 1st and 2nd. Mick Russell yells for me to jump on as he and another guy come by, I barely manage to do so as the three of us pass Bruce. So by my reckoning it was a 5th for me and 6th for Bruce, not bad since I know I didn't have anything left in the tank.

A good workout at intensity was what I was after and received as I aim for the CS event at the end of the month with Team Porno and an eye on the Collie-Donnybrook in August.