N-Duro Summer Series - Race 3

Yesterday was the final race in the N-Duro Summer series held in Rotorua's Whakarewarewa forest. It was my first race on my new Bergamont frame and the course that we were racing on suited me well with no major climbs in it. Race prep hadnt been the best with limited riding due to soccer commitments and the odd beverage here and there, however it was the last race of the summer so I had no hesitation in entering the 25km race.

Lining up at the start linr in my lycra race kit, I think I looked like a pro - kitted out in my new Bergamont race shirt and a pair of 3rd hand bib shorts courtesy of Wade and Carl I was sure to be an intimidating figure and making my presense felt. From the start I could tell the other racers could fear me, who wouldnt? The pace was fast with some good riders battling it out for positions heading into the first single track. I was thinking of sprinting for the lead from the start for a laugh but that might have had the better of me later in the race.

I was feeling good on the first bit of single track and sat in with a group just behind the leaders. I was trying to stay in contact with the group and it wasnt until the first real uphill that they pulled away on me. I went through a bit of a lull before I managed to catch a few riders on the decend through 'Pondy New' and got in front of them heading into 'Old Chevy'. I knew that this part of the race was going to drag on but I kept my head down and rode it out. I was suffering from some intense back pain and tried to stretch it out as much as I could while riding when I could.

I had been taking on some Peak Fuel performance energy gel during the race cause ive seen all the pros take them so thought it might give me some kind of superman power and strength. By the time we got to the last biggish climb I was ready to take it on. To my surprise I pulled in a couple of riders going up "Lion Trail' and sat on them for a bit.

Over the last couple km in the race most of it was down hill and I picked up about 5 places. I had a good battle with another rider over the last 500m of the race, he tried to pull away but I managed to hold on his wheel and knowing it was going to come down to a sprint finish between us. We entered the last hundred meters and I pulled out beside him and manged to out-sprint him to the finish line. Lucky I have the odd sneaky sprint with Carl up our road to the house as good practice.

Young Nigel McDowell won the race in a good time of 01.05:46 and I was pretty close behind...or not - eventually crossing the line in 17th spot overall (5th Open Men) in 01.18:29.

Full Results here http://results.racetectiming.com/Results.aspx?CId=34&RId=138&EId=2

Thanks to Scott Green and Patrick Avery for your superb support - normally its the other way around.

So thats it for the summer racing, best finish was 10th (3rd open men) in the 1st race of N-Duro Summer Series. I may enter into some winter races but for now all focus now goes onto the soccer season, first game on 2nd of April in Rotorua. Come down and watch and shout me a beer.