Another day, another stage. Actually, two today. We knocked the first one out of the way this morning, with a 21km time trial starting at the Alice Springs Golf Course. I’m not a time trial rider. Looking back, I can recall disastrous attempts at Team Time Trials, poor Prologues, and a pretty average Road or MTB time trial here or there. There has been no redeeming time trial that I can recall.
So it was with some trepidation that I set off to the golf course, for my 10:30:30am start time. As with the hill climb TT, we went off in reverse GC order with 30 second gaps. Sitting in 9th, this put me in the unfortunate position of more than likely being swamped by the talented riders starting behind me, and with no chance of catching the talented riders who had suffered mechanicals in front of me. It’s not a great mindset to start a race with, but that’s how it was.
The start was fast enough, and I did what I could to find a rhythm. What is a rhythm anyway? I figure it’s just below where you don’t actually want to ride. Most of the trails were familiar from other stages, or a pre ride on Sunday. But we had heard the course had changed quite a bit. So what… the tech climbs are out? I tempted fate, and tried to open up as much as possible on the flowing singletrack, not able to see anyone on the horizon when I snuck a glance over my shoulder. No one was out front either though, so that wasn’t much of a performance indicator.
GPS units and bike computers are great tools. But if you forget to reset them, or start a new lap time, when you start, they’re quite a vague reference point. I was hurting. And my GPS unit gave me little indication of how where I was on course. I had left home about 48 minutes ago, so I probably wasn’t very far in.
The trails started twisting and turning, and I could hear people coming up from behind. I thought it was Ryan Standish, but in the end it was Aiden Lefmann who passed me first. Seeing as I was 9th on GC, and he was 3rd, he had put in an amazing effort so far to put about 2 minutes into me. Then it was Standish who passed, then Blair, then another bloke, and then Jason English. My so called rhythm was shot, and I bumbled along, hoping to get to the finish without being passed again.
Looking down, I could see my bidon was still pretty much full. The course required a lot of attention, and didn’t offer many chances for a drink.
Coming back in I was glad to cross the line, but a little bit frustrated to go over one hour. Aido smashed it with a 53:09, with Blairy a close second riding a 53:27 (time, not a peculiar SS gear choice). Jason English gave up a little time with a 54:41. Simon Frederikson had another great stage finish, coming 4th with a 57:14. There was some carnage out there, with top 10 riders Billy Sewell and Rohin Adams losing time due to mechanicals.
Anna Beck posted a win with a great time of 1:05:57, ahead of Race Leader Jess Douglas in 1:08:56. Not enough to grab the jersey back, but a good race anyway.
The party starts again at 6:30pm this evening, where the same course will be used as a mass start night race. The carnage continues!