Master Bleeksie has reminded us that we hadn’t put up a race report for this event so even though what happens on the race course stays on the race course could apply here, as its raining and I can’t get out here is a little report.
Before the race started Bleeksie asked Matt and I the form of the teams so he could get an idea –
Matt replied:
3lefty
Big j – super fit/strong
Brooke – you know!
Craig – riding a fair bit. Working a lot (of course) – Will be consistent
Me – not riding a lot but willing.
3Fidi Coached
James – riding faster than ever before – BC training camp and Stacie’s training programme. Should be fastest rider
Coach – puzzer plus not a heap of riding. Will be mentally tough
Alwyn – about the same as me
Dayn – been away for three weeks. Form unknown.
I replied:
Yes I’d say that’s a fair assumption though I reckon Matt will kick Alwyns’ butt as long as he stays upright this year 🙂
Looking at last year’s teams Matt’s team have a good chance taking out the Open Mixed 4’s and as usual I’m talking down our teams chances as we get older (and slower) as I know there are a few hot teams this year in our division.
My pre-race predictions
Matts team to finish on the Podium and ours in the top five with Matts team beating us by about 10-20 minutes.
Should be interesting and the weather looks okay 🙂
Well I must say we weren’t too far off our predictions!
3Lefty were in contention all race and even though Craig had a horrible time with a flat on one night lap and crashing on his last lap they were consistently fast all through the race with Brooke being the most consistent and fastest rider from both teams. Blunnie returned to his form of his golden years – managed to finish the race in one piece. Big Jeff also managed to put in the fastest lap time as well.
They finished a very respectable 2nd place in the Foursomes – Open Mixed, 12mins behind 1st but more importantly 1min ahead of our arch nemeses, Newcastle Cog Heads out of 38 teams. They we 13th team overall as well!
3Fidi Coached began well after a quick first lap had me coming in 9th overall with Dayn riding his usual consistent pace and Coach impressing well early on. We tried to manage the fatigue of both Alwyn and Coach through the night by giving them a rest which was working well as their lap times suggested, but unfortunately I had two costly mechanicals, a double flat and then I worked loose a pivot bolt in the rear triangle.
Law of averages I suppose but it did put us back from 3rd to 4th so we missed out on a podium spot. We finished 4/49 teams and 21st overall this year but are looking forward to making amends next year.
So as you can see we were spot on with our predictions – we are waiting for some lost souls to return before we set up teams for next year – do we race hard in four’s or sixes?