Stage 4 started much like the first, with much the same first half hour. It also started with the same madness in the neutralised start behind the race directors ute. The only difference between the madness here and a Belgium kermesse was about 30kmhr in speed. The acceleration, braking, and choppiness in the bunch was almost carbon copy.
After the start madness I found myself in quite a good position, and with almost the legs to match despite my sluggishness getting out of bed. Perhaps it was the 10 minute re-cable I performed hastily an hour pre-start? I worked my way higher than I had been previously – until the point I recognised some of the riders whom I had been keeping company on my 08’ trip. I reckon I had almost worked my way up past the 50’s – of course this was short lived – however not due to my lack of form today.
My knee took issue with how I had positioned the cleat on my right shoe, and could only handle so much punishment. On the second hill (only 1000m vertical ascent) my knee became more of an issue – meaning I slipped up more than a few positions in stretching it out. I guess one of the things that comes with marathon racing is the ability to take a few steps back, assess the situation, formulate a new race plan and get on with it. Sinking back through the elite women’s field I wasn’t feeling too great, but at least I hadn’t pulled the pin and was still racing in some pretty awesome terrain. About half an hour after easing up to limit the stress on my knee, it calmed down enough to sink into a rhythm. All was well, at least until the next feed – we later found out that it was largely unmanned due to the chair lift requisite to our feeders making it there being closed down for siesta.
After popping a u-bolt back to the feed station to fill my bottle, the descent proper began. Mike and I postulated over dinner this evening that there is one particular aspect that Europeans are faster than us on on a marathon course downhill section – we can always seem to out corner, out brake, and out manoeuvre most who are at a similar pace, but where they get us is in taking risks. Like not braking around 70kmhr + blind corners. The ones where cars can appear from nowhere, or you can come across a nasty tightening corner (without Armco) and if you haven’t tapped the brakes before hand you will most likely have a pretty nasty off. After a few of the above type descents the race found its way back to the downhill track above Schladming once more. My brakes and arms were both well and truly pumped by half way down. Sure it was fun, but when you are struggling to hold the bars, and the brakes are eating into the backing tabs and springs it wears off a little.
Finishing in a similar place to the prior few days I was happy that I had nursed myself thought the days stage. I was also happy that my form had also come on a little bit. All I can hope for now is that it comes on stronger for Sudety next month.